Released: 2016

Genres: Electropop, Hyperpop

The Musiquarium’s Vroom Vroom Review Score: 9 out of 10

After crafting hit songs like Boom Clap, Charli xcx was becoming a pop force to be reckoned with, but that wasn’t enough for her. Her first two albums provided some decent (if not somewhat run-of-the-mill) pop music, though neither was quite good enough to become classics, but with Vroom Vroom, Charli shifts into top gear, levels up her artistry and game, and branches off into more experimental pop territory.

The title track is definitive Charli, and is as sexy and sleek as a Lamborghini, but with a hint of danger — like getting road head while driving 200km/h down the autobahn. Paradise is like something out of Dance Dance Revolution, but less annoying. Trophy samples Mia Wallace (Uma Thurman) from the Jack Rabbit Slim‘s scene in Quentin Tarantino’s Pulp Fiction (Charli’s second nod to Tarantino after naming her debut True Romance). Secret (Shh) brings in some sultry thrills.

Although it’s only an EP, Vroom Vroom is both a significant release and in my opinion, Charli’s best project of the 2010s — this is where the Charli xcx started driving in the fast lane.

For credit breakdowns and historic release details, view Charli xcx on Discogs.

Back to the 2016 Album Reviews Guide or the Charli xcx Reviews page.

Written by Brett Nippard