Clairo, born Claire Elizabeth Cottrill on August 18, 1998, in Atlanta, Georgia, is an American singer-songwriter known for her emotive vocals and genre-blending music. Growing up in Carlisle, Massachusetts, she began creating music at the age of 13, recording covers and original tracks on her MacBook and sharing them on platforms like Bandcamp and SoundCloud. Her 2017 single, “Pretty Girl,” a lo-fi track, went viral, marking her entry into the spotlight.
In 2018, Clairo released her debut EP, Diary 001, under Fader Label, and followed it with her first full-length album, Immunity, in 2019. The album, which featured hits like “Bags” and “Sofia,” earned her significant recognition, with “Sofia” becoming her first entry on the Billboard Hot 100.
Her 2021 album, Sling, saw a shift from her early bedroom pop style, incorporating live instrumentation and a more polished sound. The album debuted in the top 20 of the US Billboard 200 and received critical acclaim for its depth and maturity.
Clairo’s third studio album, Charm, released in 2024, blended jazz, soul, and psychedelic folk influences. The album received rave reviews and earned a Grammy nomination for Best Alternative Music Album. Throughout her career, Clairo has been open about her journey, including publicly coming out as bisexual in 2018, and remains a leading figure in the indie music scene known for her authenticity and evolving sound.