User Score
8.5

Universal acclaim- based on 271 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Negative: 16 out of 271
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  1. Aug 30, 2013
    9
    First off, I never heard of Charli XCX, I saw that she was releasing a album on iTunes and I was curious to see what the young woman could give me. Now some people may know who XCX is as she has been doing mix tapes and EP's ever since her late teens, now in her early twenties, she is now ready to show off her talent to the mainstream. And I'm happy to report that at first you'll feelFirst off, I never heard of Charli XCX, I saw that she was releasing a album on iTunes and I was curious to see what the young woman could give me. Now some people may know who XCX is as she has been doing mix tapes and EP's ever since her late teens, now in her early twenties, she is now ready to show off her talent to the mainstream. And I'm happy to report that at first you'll feel guilty, "True Romance" offers many great songs for the rest of the year with unique synth beats and amazing production making XCX's debut one of the best I've heard this year. The songwriting is excellent with Relatable lyrics about the youth, love, and the problems we face. It also helps thanks to XCX's vocals which she perfectly hits the tone the album is going for as it sounds dream like while also sound real enough. The best thing about "True Romance" is that it makes Synth pop sound cool again by not making it so mainstream. XCX use's beats, sounds, and Rhythms that sound like Pop back in the Late '80s or early '90s. It's also tightly paced and for some listeners you may get sucked into the world that XCX has created here. There are very few problems, but If I had to say some, I would have to say that it gets a little repetitive towards the end with all the sounds being heard many times you might get bored as the album's style isn't always consistent. Also like I said at the beginning not too many people will be drawn into "True Romance" as personally it isn't meant for my demographic, but I'm glad i was curious to listen to this. Charli XCX has a great future ahead of her with "True Romance" being her debut album, with Great Vocals, Interesting Social Messages, and just amazing music. To speak to all the people out there, this is a pop album you'll actually enjoy. Expand
  2. Apr 17, 2013
    9
    A lot of hype, for me, going into this...

    I've been waiting well over a year now for this album, and I was sure that there was no way it was going to live up to the hype that I had built up for it in myself. Am I disappointed that I already knew 5 songs on it? Maybe a little bit, but it would have only mattered if the other 8 songs weren't worthwhile, but they WERE. She's a
    A lot of hype, for me, going into this...

    I've been waiting well over a year now for this album, and I was sure that there was no way it was going to live up to the hype that I had built up for it in myself.

    Am I disappointed that I already knew 5 songs on it? Maybe a little bit, but it would have only mattered if the other 8 songs weren't worthwhile, but they WERE.

    She's a wonderful mixture of the persona of Ke$ha, the lyrics of Lily Allen and the music of Purity Ring. I really couldn't ask for more.

    Of the songs we already had, "Nuclear Seasons" is certainly her best song. It may still be the best thing she's ever done, but wow, "Lock You Up" is a killer little 80s number. I can't say no to that. Other tracks worth note: "You (Ha Ha Ha), "Stay Away", What I Like, and "You're the One"

    In short, it's going to take a lot for her to ever do anything wrong in my eyes, every single thing she's released (officially...the mix tapes are another story) has been at least a 7 or higher for me (on a 10 point scale). In total, the album is certainly an easy 4.5

    Proud of her, it's great to see others enjoying her music as well. You follow an artist who hasn't released anything yet, and you have to get a little nervous, wondering how other people are going to feel as well, with little to see reactions in the meanwhile (certainly not saying I'm the only one who was aware of her before now, not at all). So, this is a great day in music for me!
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  3. Apr 23, 2013
    9
    This album is extremely personal, and I really appreciate her artistic direction. The beats are amazing, her voice is great, and even though a song or two falls short, it's hard to even notice them because this is one of the best albums I've heard this year.
  4. Jul 18, 2014
    7
    Charli XCX eventually received mainstream audience's attention with her collaborations on Swedish electro queens Icona Pop's 2012 sleeper hit "I Love It" and Australian rapper Iggy Azalea's currently inescapable, 7-week number-one "Fancy". But the Brit diva's 2013 debut studio album True Romance -- it's technically her second studio album, considering her 2008 one never saw an officialCharli XCX eventually received mainstream audience's attention with her collaborations on Swedish electro queens Icona Pop's 2012 sleeper hit "I Love It" and Australian rapper Iggy Azalea's currently inescapable, 7-week number-one "Fancy". But the Brit diva's 2013 debut studio album True Romance -- it's technically her second studio album, considering her 2008 one never saw an official release -- has to be the destination to visit if anybody's ever curious as to what she's capable of.

    The deliciously dark Eurythmics inspired opener "Nuclear Seasons", which includes haunting vocal layers later found on "Grins", already allows the listener to take off their chains held down by expectations of any electropop album sang by somebody so unapologetically youthful as Charlie XCX and explore the album on their own terms. The combination of Myspace era emo, sappy songwriting ("Why you gotta go to sleep/Don't go to sleep/Let's go out"), and indietronica with a touch of darkwave and witch house might mislead skeptics into believing it's all about fun, games, and love, and guess what? It is. But it's the kind of self-conscious silliness that mainstream pop should be about. The sincerity in her sassy, party girl attitude certainly combats that of Kesha and her Dr. Luke produced safety sass.
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  5. Dec 13, 2014
    10
    increíble album, usando elementos del hip-hop en cada cancion, las canciones oscuras le quedan muy bien. mi favorita YOU'RE THE ONE, WHAT I LIKE, LOCK YOU UP... el mejor álbum del 2013
  6. May 12, 2014
    7
    A fun debut album from Charli XCX that features some amazing bangers but unfortunately seems to have been stuck in release date limbo a bit too long and rather than being cutting edge comes across slightly dated.
  7. Nov 27, 2013
    7
    This is a very good album, from its amazing imagery provoking lyrics and electronic drums to its catchy and memorable yet unique melodies. However while some of the tracks are quite boring, the ones that are good are so good you will not forget them.
  8. Sep 20, 2014
    10
    This is probably my favourite album of all time. It's just so fresh, original and good. Tracks like Grins, So Far Away, Take My Hand and many more are just masterpieces!
  9. Dec 11, 2014
    10
    An AMAZING array of synth-pop and electronica. This album is one of the most underrated of 2013, songs like 'So Far Away' and 'You (Ha Ha Ha)' show what a diverse artist Charli is. True Romance is the perfect example of love's many sides. Each song tells a story, and each song has it's own unique sound - whether it's the ear-filling beat of 'You (Ha Ha Ha)', or the hip-hop influences ofAn AMAZING array of synth-pop and electronica. This album is one of the most underrated of 2013, songs like 'So Far Away' and 'You (Ha Ha Ha)' show what a diverse artist Charli is. True Romance is the perfect example of love's many sides. Each song tells a story, and each song has it's own unique sound - whether it's the ear-filling beat of 'You (Ha Ha Ha)', or the hip-hop influences of the Brooke Candy assisted 'Cloud Aura'. Charli solidifies her vocal and instrumental talent with True Romance. This album is a MUST-Listen. Expand
  10. Mar 16, 2015
    8
    Track by track review:
    1. Nuclear Seasons 10/10
    2. You (Ha Ha Ha) 10/10 3. Take My Hand 9/10 4. Stay Away 6/10 5. Set Me Free 9/10 6. Grins 8/10 7. So Far Away 7/10 8. Cloud Aura 10/10 9. What I Like 10/10 10. Black Roses 7.5/10 11. You're the One 8/10 12. How Can I 9.5/10 13. Lock You Up 7.5/10 Highlights: You (Ha Ha Ha), What I Like, Cloud Aura, Nuclear Seasons, How Can
    Track by track review:
    1. Nuclear Seasons 10/10
    2. You (Ha Ha Ha) 10/10
    3. Take My Hand 9/10
    4. Stay Away 6/10
    5. Set Me Free 9/10
    6. Grins 8/10
    7. So Far Away 7/10
    8. Cloud Aura 10/10
    9. What I Like 10/10
    10. Black Roses 7.5/10
    11. You're the One 8/10
    12. How Can I 9.5/10
    13. Lock You Up 7.5/10

    Highlights: You (Ha Ha Ha), What I Like, Cloud Aura, Nuclear Seasons, How Can I.
    Potential singles: You're the One, Cloud Aura, Nuclear Seasons, You (Ha Ha Ha), What I Like.
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  11. Jun 14, 2015
    10
    One of the better albums I've ever heard!

    Charli loving every day more

    Melhores músicas ''Set Me Free'' ''What I Like'' ''Cloud Aura (feat. Brooke Candy)'' and ''Stay Away''
  12. Sep 15, 2015
    9
    God! This is amazing. I like all the songs in this album and sounds here are VERY different to Sucker, here she doesn't look mainstream. Nuclear Season, Take My Hand, Stay Away are heaven :D
  13. Oct 16, 2015
    9
    Melhores músicas: Nuclear Seasons, You (Ha Ha Ha), Stay Away, You're The One, What I Like, Cloud Aura
    ................................................................................................................................
  14. Aug 28, 2014
    10
    Okay. This is what I call an album. The songs are amazing, I love all of them, especially Take My Hand, Nuclear Seasons and Cloud Aura. I will play Take My Hand on my wedding, for sure.
  15. Dec 12, 2014
    10
    This album is a MASTERPIECE. Usually when artists release their debut projects, they seem very flawed. But Charli has broken that barrier because this album is STUNNING - vocally & musically. The production is flawless, along with the mysteriously intriguing songwriting. This album is a must-have for ANY music taste, the synthpop, bubblegum pop, and even hip-hop influences lace the albumThis album is a MASTERPIECE. Usually when artists release their debut projects, they seem very flawed. But Charli has broken that barrier because this album is STUNNING - vocally & musically. The production is flawless, along with the mysteriously intriguing songwriting. This album is a must-have for ANY music taste, the synthpop, bubblegum pop, and even hip-hop influences lace the album together so well. Expand
  16. May 12, 2013
    10
    Charli XCX is one of the best people ever. Her music is very amazing. I didn't know what to expect and wasn't sure if it was going to be good, but it was AMAZING. This is really her type of music. I can't think of any other type of music that she could sing except for this. It's really amazing. I adore You (Ha Ha Ha). I hope she makes more music because she is amazing!
  17. Jul 18, 2014
    6
    I don't think that this album isn't so good how people are talkin' outside. Charli XCX has a beautiful voice, but a trash production... So many beats and effects that made me crazy and got me a headache.
  18. Aug 28, 2015
    7
    Great debut album, I can't believe that this is the same person that made SUCKER one year later, I love both albums and they're completely different. I think the best song is Nuclear Seasons.
  19. Apr 23, 2013
    5
    Didn't know quite what to expect from this album and was pleasantly surprised. There's quite a mixture of different types of electronica. From the kooky Nuclear Seasons and Set Me Free to the laid back What I Like and the 80's influenced Lock You Up, there's something here for every type of electronic fan. Charli has a lot of talent and control over her work for one so young, she justDidn't know quite what to expect from this album and was pleasantly surprised. There's quite a mixture of different types of electronica. From the kooky Nuclear Seasons and Set Me Free to the laid back What I Like and the 80's influenced Lock You Up, there's something here for every type of electronic fan. Charli has a lot of talent and control over her work for one so young, she just needs to push it that bit further. Expand
  20. Mar 31, 2015
    9
    Charli XCX comes across to me like this sassy girl from high school jamming out and making music in her bedroom, but the crazy thing is that she's actually REALLY good. For someone so young to have such confidence and be able to establish a distinct style on a debut album is really impressive. True Romance is a killer album, and I can easily listen to the whole thing without skipping anyCharli XCX comes across to me like this sassy girl from high school jamming out and making music in her bedroom, but the crazy thing is that she's actually REALLY good. For someone so young to have such confidence and be able to establish a distinct style on a debut album is really impressive. True Romance is a killer album, and I can easily listen to the whole thing without skipping any songs. It has a great flow to it and it's incredibly cohesive too. The production is fantastic also. Love love love. Expand
  21. Aug 9, 2016
    7
    7.0
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  22. Sep 13, 2019
    10
    Charli XCX debuted discreetly, hiding in the middle of POP, "True Romance" is an album with such a different and invigorating atmosphere that always listening to you seems to be taken to paradise. That was the beginning of a very successful career. Charli still has a lot to show the world.
  23. Nov 25, 2021
    7
    Like 90s pop stars turned 10s pop sophisticates Justin Timberlake and Beyoncé, Charli XCX stamps her personality across the entire project, and True Romance suggests she'll be worth following for a while.
  24. Apr 12, 2019
    9
    Probably one of the most underrated albums in pop history. True Romance is an album full of catchy and deep songs that feel super honest and vulnerable.
  25. Aug 23, 2019
    10
    Charli XCX was a name I've heard many times and whose songs I had inadvertently heard but a name that I never really get to know until last summer.

    Charli is honestly a pretty interesting musician, simply for the fact that her personality actually seems to flow through her music, unlike so many pop stars that feel as if they're making music to please a very specific audience. She's got
    Charli XCX was a name I've heard many times and whose songs I had inadvertently heard but a name that I never really get to know until last summer.

    Charli is honestly a pretty interesting musician, simply for the fact that her personality actually seems to flow through her music, unlike so many pop stars that feel as if they're making music to please a very specific audience. She's got a little bit of a mouth on her and often comes off very sarcastic and clever with her lyrics and vocal presentation. She just has THAT charisma and spunk to pull of this whole glam 80s throwback style she seems to be going for with the majority of her album.
    You might find True Romance too sugary for your taste but that's because you aren't getting the full contextual picture. True Romance is an exercise in excess that shows us what Charli is capable of. It was also destined to be one of the best pop records of the millennium (yes, m-i-l-l-e-n-n-i-u-m). With its sassy pop lyrics and a fusion of moody synth-pop and contemporary indie-electronica sounds, True Romance is truly unique. The album’s all 13 tracks are all insanely catchy and could easily be released as singles. It’s a great pop effort and showed that Charli XCX was definitely one to watch.

    In conclusion, it’s safe to say Charli XCX have put out a flawless debut in an age where mediocre was (and probably still is) pretty much the standard. She’s proved that radio-friendly pop doesn’t equal formulaic. Indeed, throughout True Romance, Charli XCX is playing out a range of roles, spanning from the young teenage mall-goer, to the young adult flirting with her sexuality, to the more self-aware and confident performer that she’s become. Considering how many different places and time-frames these tracks come from that they all fit together so perfectly seems miraculous but also makes perfect sense when we consider the artist behind it all. True Romance was statement to all those who weren’t already in the know: Charli XCX has arrived and we could all expect to see a lot more of her in the future.

    - will be on the loop for 84 hours track/s: Nuclear Seasons, Grins, Set Me Free
    - I could live without it track/s: *nowhere to be found*
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  26. Sep 11, 2019
    10
    It's a good album, good singles and gives great vibes! The best tracks in my opinion are What I Like, Nuclear Seasons, You (Ha Ha Ha), You're The One and Cloud Aura.
  27. Sep 14, 2019
    10
    Probably one of the best albums of the decade, the way Charli brings 80s pop is just perfect. Amazing!
  28. Nov 21, 2019
    10
    The compositions are so sincere and his voice is so perfect with the background instruments, this one of Charli's best albums.
  29. Jul 10, 2022
    8
    Siendo su debut oficial, es bastante fuerte, un buen álbum de pop con bastante originalidad, bastante atrayente y divertido de escuchar
Metascore
76

Generally favorable reviews - based on 18 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 18
  2. Negative: 0 out of 18
  1. Jul 17, 2013
    80
    There isn’t a moment when Charli XCX doesn’t display the kind of wild, brash confidence that other artists take years to arrive at.
  2. Apr 25, 2013
    83
    Like 90s pop stars turned 10s pop sophisticates Justin Timberlake and Beyoncé, Charli XCX stamps her personality across the entire project, and True Romance suggests she'll be worth following for a while.
  3. 60
    At the moment, her music is best consumed in blog-sized chunks, not as a stodgy 48-minute album.