For anyone even remotely interested in mainstream pop, Chlöe Howl should be at the top of your radar list.
Columbia’s latest young signing brought us No Strings at the end of the year. Rumour follows
suit, ramping the gears up a notch whilst retaining her 80s electro-meets-Lily
Allen aesthetic. Atop a squelching
bassline and infectious beat, Howl squeezes in enough gossip and shock value to
fill months worth of Hollyoaks. It
culminates in the chorus lyric “I’m just trying to work out how to be like
myself” that perfectly epitomises teenage angst and spitefulness.
In short, this is yet another example of Howl’s youthful ebullience
and predilection for pithy lyrics. Here’s
hoping a full album arrives sharpish. This
could well be the year of Chlöe Howl – and that’s no mere rumour.
4/5
Listen: Both Rumour and No Strings can be heard on Soundcloud.