Charli XCX Has A Crush On Optimus Prime In Transformative Song 'Claws'

Transform into a lovestruck robot with Charli XCX on her new single, "Claws," that's from her forthcoming quarantine album, How I'm Feeling Now. On her latest, the singer is in need of a software upgrade as she malfunctions while mechanically declaring her infatuation with someone (for my cash, it has to be Optimus Prime). It doesn't get more charming than this schoolgirl crush.


In a dystopian, Westworld-like future where robots get elected into office, Charli is a teenage android who lays in her bed sighing dreamily while staring at a hologram of someone that she has a major crush on. This song soundtracks the developments of cybernetic love through a futuristic palette of harsh sounds and feathery, sweet vocals.


Charli's vocals are distinctly human because the war of the machines rages on in the background of "Claws." "Like your mind, like your smile/ Like your eyes, I could die," she sings happily because the moving image of her crush twirls around on the holographic device in her metal hand. "Singing songs by Jeremih/ Party time, hop indoors she continues, daydreaming of linking up with each other for a night of fun.


Looking to increase some confidence, Charli stammers as she practices telling her crush how she feels via course of the chorus. "I like-I like-I like-I like-I like everything about you," she repeats four times, slowly growing more assured with each repetition.


During the second verse, soon after realizing that she can finally converse with her crush, Charli digs into NSFW territory as she starts to imagine an enthusiastic encounter that begins with her crush's casual observation. "I'm not shy, make you sigh/ Slip and slide up my thighs," she sings with two teeth in her bottom lip. The song ends with Charli reiterating that she likes everything about her crush over and over. With her confidence finally in place, she's off to go and get their number and make her dream a reality.


How I'm Feeling Now is set to come out on May 15. It'll also feature "Forever" which Charli dropped earlier this month. She recently shared its video that is comprised of footage that fans sent to her.


Last month, Charli detailed How I'm Feeling Now in a "self quarantine diary" entry that she shared with fans. "What can I tell you about this album.... Well, there really are much less collaborations, Chris and I've Been talking about reuniting (alongside someone else), it has felt very quick to prepare, AG [Cook] is involved, I want it to be quite short in comparison to CHARLI, there really are a lot of songs about sex and physicality," she wrote. "There is a song about the world ending."


Listen to Charli's new single, "Claws," up above.