"Unlock It" -- a bubbly, hyper pop song about connection

In the modern era, it is becomingly increasingly difficult to form relationships with other people. Charli XCX is a cutting-edge pop artist who explores this theme in super-danceable songs.    'Unlock it' is a quintessential hyperpop song with a catchy synth melody and a synthetic timbre. 

Hyperpop is kind of a niche genre, so you might not have heard of it.  Click on the link below to hear a version of 'Unlock it," a quintessential hyper pop song that will introduce you to the genre. 

Personal Reaction

To me, this song is euphoric. At the same time, I feel like this song acknowledges a sense of isolation, so it feels like a celebration after a period of suffering or sadness.  It feels kind of like spring -- coming out into the light after a long period of isolation.

Lyrics 

The lyrics of this song are repetitive -- a lot of the chorus is just Charli Xcx saying 'Lock it, lock it, unlock it. Lock it, lock, it unlock it.'  The repetitiveness contributes to the dreamy or trance-like feel of the song. The real meaning comes in at the end of this repetitive chorus, though, which says 'if you want my love, try to unlock it.'  These lyrics mean that the author wants to connect with another person, but finds that there is a 'lock' in the way.  For the author, loving and being loved is not easy, so she needs her pursuer to put forth considerable effort to 'unlock' her love, which is buried beneath defensive barriers.  

The bridge in this song says 'Roller coaster ride in the fast lane, got the roof down, kiss me hot in the pouring rain.'  These lyrics explain that connecting is, for the author, a chaotic process with a lot of highs and lows.  

Even though the author is defensive and unpredictable, she also feels vulnerable to the person she is trying to love.  Another verse says 'I'm right here in your pocket; you've got my heart so don't you drop it; if you want my love, try to unlock it.' 

Melody and Chords

The melody in this song is very fast and bubbling. It contributes to the overall euphoric feeling of the song because it instantly catches you and then keeps looping and intersecting with other parts of the song in unexpected ways.  It feels like the melody bounces on top of the song and then ducks underneath it throughout the song.  I think this has something to do with its equalization / sound engineering.  Musically, though, the melody sounds like a bubbling crystal spring -- it is very catchy and it repeats over and over throughout the entire song without stopping.  The unceasingness of the melody makes the song kind of hypnotic and dreamy, which accentuates the 'synthetic' vibe of the song. 

It's also worth noting that the melody comes from an arpeggiation of the chords in the song. The chord progression is D, E, C sharp minor, A, F sharp minor, G sharp minor in the key of A major (ultimate-guitar.com).  The key of A major is associated with pure joy and euphoria, so that tracks (Steblin 1983).  The chord progression starts with two major chords in a row, goes back to a major chord (A), then sinks into two minor chords before starting over again.  This chord progression -- while euphoric overall -- is suggestive of a euphoria that is teetering on despair (because the chord progression starts from mostly major chords but ends in mostly minor chords). This makes the song emotionally poignant and interesting despite being very 'bubblegum.' 

Range

This song has a very narrow range of sound.  There is no bass line in this song, and the melody (along with the singer's voice) are quite high pitched.  This is very characteristic of the hyper pop genre.  The narrow sound range makes the song sound kind of artificial and glossy. That is part of the aesthetic of this genre.  Said another way, the narrow range contributes to the feeling of 'floating on a cloud' that this song is trying to engender.

Critical Response

Overall, critics raved about this song.  Pitchfork called the song 'art-pop at it's finest' and 'hyperaware of contemporary trends" and 'euphoric.'  This supports my analysis of the song.  Pitchfork also called the song 'just shy of a parody,' which I think is funny and accurate.  In my words, the song 'bubbles;'  in the words of pitchfork, the song 'evaporates.'  I think both of those words are good descriptors of the unique way this song evolves (Nast 2024). 

Sources

"Charlie Xcx - Unlock It (Chords)." Tabs.ultimate-Guitar.com, tabs.ultimate-guitar.com/tab/charlie-xcx/unlock-it-chords-2256213. Accessed 17 Feb. 2024

Nast, Conde. "Charlie XCX: "Unlock It" [Ft. Kim Petras and Jay Park]." Pitchfork, pitchfork.com/reviews/tracks/charlie-xcx-unlock-it-ft-kim-petras-and-ja-park/#:`:text=The%20lyrics%20of%20. Accessed 17 feb. 2024.

Steblin, Rita. "Musical Key Characteristics." Which.edu, 1983, which.edu/mus-theo/courses/keys.html