Charlotte Sometimes

Charlotte Sometimes is necessary for pop music right now. She's got so much spunk and charisma that she's primed to turn the whole genre on its head. Much like when Fiona Apple hit the scene, Charlotte's got all the right stuff to carve her own niche. In fact, her debut Waves and the Both of Us is purely brilliant. Coupling dark, sardonic lyrics and bubbly, piano melodies isn't a new thing. Adding Vaudevillian textures a la The Dresden Dolls also isn't new. However, Charlotte does them both better than anyone on the scene. Waves and the Both of Us is a beautifully deranged pop musical that's overflowing with life. Her voice soars from a sexy croon to bombastic, theatrical heights and then back again.

She's also an angry young girl, but she makes rage fun. “How I Could Just Kill A Man” name checks Cypress Hill, in a tongue-in-cheek fashion. "Losing Sleep" laments insomnia, while touting an extremely catchy chorus in the process. "Sweet Valium High" and "X-Girlfriend" feature a fairy tale aesthetic and strangely seductive, come-hither delivery all at once. "Waves and the Both of Us" is your classic tale of lost love, but told through her fresh voice and perspective. The closing duo of "Build Me the Moon" and "Pilot 76" serve as the perfect bookend to Charlotte's trip. Ride her wave, and you won't be disappointed. It's going to be a big one.

—Rick Florino
04.30.08