Clairo - Pretty Girl

Music Appreciation

I was introduced to Clairo by my daughter, who stumbled upon her music one evening. Clairo—whose real name is Claire Elizabeth Cottrill—quickly became a favorite in our house. Her lo-fi sound, paired with a distinct vulnerability, resonated with my daughter so much that she began creating and posting her own music and videos. It’s no surprise, considering Clairo’s own story: she began uploading music to the internet at just 13 years old, gradually building a following through raw, home-recorded content that felt both personal and relatable.

"Pretty Girl" was released on August 4, 2017, as part of Clairo’s debut EP, Diary 001. It was this track, in particular, that catapulted her into the public eye. Its understated charm and emotional honesty connected with a generation of listeners navigating identity, self-worth, and relationships. The viral success of the music video—which she filmed herself—marked a new chapter in DIY pop, establishing Clairo as a leading voice in the lo-fi, bedroom pop movement.

Musically, "Pretty Girl" is deceptively simple: a minimalistic beat with synth-driven textures and a steady rhythm that lets the lyrics breathe. The production is intentionally unpolished, giving the song a confessional quality. Lyrically, it explores themes of codependence and emotional compromise in relationships, with Clairo singing about changing herself to be the "pretty girl" someone wants. The stripped-down approach reinforces the emotional core of the track without overproducing or masking its sincerity.

The music video for "Pretty Girl" became iconic in its own right, shot using Photo Booth on Clairo’s MacBook. It features her sitting in her bedroom, lip-syncing and dancing in an awkward yet endearing fashion, wearing oversized glasses and a carefree attitude. This raw and unfiltered style made the video instantly relatable, helping it rack up millions of views. Sources include interviews with Pitchfork, NPR, and The Fader.

Sources:

Wikipedia

https://pitchfork.com/artists/clairo/

https://www.npr.org/sections/world-cafe/2019/12/23/790265246/how-clairo-turned-a-viral-bedroom-video-into-a-successful-music-career

https://www.thefader.com/2017/10/19/clairo-pretty-girl-video-interview