Nuclear Seasons

"Nuclear Seasons" is a song by British singer and songwriter Charli XCX taken from her debut extended play (EP), You're the One (2012), and was later included on her debut studio album, True Romance (2013). It was released as the EP's second single on 21 October 2011 through This Is Music, Atlantic, and Warner Music UK. "Nuclear Seasons" was written by Charli, Justin Raisen, and Ariel Rechtshaid, while the latter produced the song.

"Nuclear Seasons"
Single by Charli XCX
from the album True Romance and the EP You're the One
Released20 November 2011 (2011-11-20)
Recorded2011
Genre
Length
  • 4:42 (album version)
  • 3:42 (single version)
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Rechtshaid
Charli XCX singles chronology
"Stay Away"
(2011)		 "Nuclear Seasons"
(2011)		 "I Love It"
(2012)
Music video
"Nuclear Seasons" on YouTube

Composition

Musically, "Nuclear Seasons" is a slow-burning dark wave, synth-pop, electropop and lo-fi song with low-lying synths, industrial textures, and a shadowy atmosphere.[3][4][2] The album version of the song contains a minute-long intro (a sample of "Grins", another song appearing on True Romance) where Charli repeats the refrain "I want this forever."[5] According to Peter Tabakis of Pretty Much Amazing, the song "forms the sonic and thematic outline for each song to come." The song's 80's-influenced vocal melody has been described as the centerpiece of its "lavish, if busy, production", which features flourishes of synths rings, electronic buzzes, and pattering and crashing beats.[6] Lyrically, "Nuclear Seasons" compares taking shelter from the "literal and figurative fallout of a breakup" to surviving a nuclear fallout.[6] Its lyrics speak of things such as burning cars and falling through the clouds, which according to Art Ivan of Tiny Mix Tapes, depicts what a rapture would look and sound like.[5] In an interview with Rolling Stone XCX stated the song "reflects a state of cultural decay."[7] Charli specifically notes what she sees as a decay in youth culture, stating "I don't feel like there's anything for people to really grab onto these days. There's no movement to speak of."[7] While reviewing True Romance, Kevin Liedel of Slant Magazine called the song a "K-pop-esque opus" which showed one of only a few moments of genuine spontaneity.[8]

Critical reception

Joe Rivers of No Ripcord gave the song a positive review, saying: "It makes you wonder why Charli XCX isn't all over commercial radio; it's a catchy, well-constructed pop song that manages to pack a lot in without conforming to the Guetta/Harris dance-pop template, instead injecting an effortless, swaggering cool."[9]

Music video and usage in media

The video for "Nuclear Seasons" was uploaded to her channel on YouTube on 22 November 2011.[10] The video has a witch house vibe, and was directed by Ryan Evans, with effects by Crim3s. "Nuclear Seasons" was Charli's first official video, not including the Salem remix video for "Stay Away". The song is featured on a sneak peek for the Swim 2013 collection for Victoria's Secret and was featured on a season six episode of Gossip Girl. [11][12] The song is featured in the opening credits for the film, Two Night Stand starring Miles Teller and Analeigh Tipton. The single cover is shown as a poster in an scene of season six from British series Skins.

Track listing
  • CD single
  1. "Nuclear Seasons" — 3:44
  • Digital EP
  1. "Nuclear Seasons" — 3:44
  2. "Nuclear Seasons" (Hackman Remix) — 4:35
  3. "Nuclear Seasons" (Night Plane Remix) — 4:45
  4. "Nuclear Seasons" (Night Plane Extended Remix) — 7:01

Personnel
  • Charli XCX – vocals
  • Ariel Rechtshaid – production, mixing
  • Howle Weinberg – mastering

References
  1. Hodoyan-Gastelum, Alexis (27 September 2017). "Should Have Been Bigger: Charli XCX's Mesmerizing "Nuclear Seasons"".
  2. "The 100 Best Albums of the 2010s". Slant Magazine. Retrieved 24 December 2019.
  3. Fitzmaurice, Larry (21 October 2011). "Charli XCX: "Nuclear Seasons"". Pitchfork Media. Retrieved 12 April 2014.
  4. Levine, Nick (19 April 2013). "Charli XCX - 'True Romance'". NME. IPC Media. Retrieved 12 April 2014.
  5. Ivan, Art. "Charli XCX – True Romance". Tiny Mix Tapes. Retrieved 12 April 2014.
  6. Tabakis, Peter (16 April 2013). "Review: Charli XCX – True Romance". Pretty Much Amazing. Retrieved 12 April 2014.
  7. Nika, Colleen. "Dark Star Rising: Charli XCX Talks Rave Roots and Her Colorful Future". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 21 July 2014.
  8. Liedel, Kevin (12 April 2013). "Charli XCX: True Romance". Slant Magazine. Retrieved 12 April 2014.
  9. Rivers, Joe (15 April 2013). "Charli XCX: True Romance". No Ripcord. Retrieved 12 April 2014.
  10. Video on YouTube
  11. http://vsallaccess.victoriassecret.com/2012/12/27/victorias-secret-swim-2013-sneak-peek/
  12. http://www.cwtv.com/music/gossip-girl/season-6/episode-610
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