Here at CelebMix, we love a good hit single. However, some singles never achieve the success they truly deserved. Therefore, we present to you our latest weekly feature – ‘Hidden Hits’.
This week’s feature on ‘Hidden Hits’ is Charli XCX with her masterpiece of a track from her 2018 mixtape – ‘Pop 2’, ‘Unlock It’:
DISCLAIMER: Listen to ‘Unlock It’ before reading this article if you haven’t already
Lock it, lock it, lock-lock it, lock it, lock it, Unlock it!
If you haven’t listened to this track from the queen of autotune then firstly, why not? However, that’s all you’ll be saying once you have listened to the masterpiece XCX fans know as ‘Unlock It’. It’s quite the pop track, isn’t it?
What does CelebMix think of ‘Unlock It’?
You may be sat here wondering why we’re calling it a ‘Hidden Hit’ and that’s because Charli XCX is one of the most slept on musicians the industry has ever come across. After a ‘Sucker’ phase of being a poppy-punk princess, Charli XCX has finally found her niche with PC Music and autotune. Produced by A.G Cook, ‘Unlock It’ has a dreamy yet electrifying instrumental overlaid with Charli XCX’s soft autotune vocals assisted with vocals from both Kim Petras and Jay Park.
In true XCX style, the chorus really is the punch of the track with Charli repeating the song title in the lyrics of the chorus:
“Lock it, lock it, lock-lock it, lock it, lock it
Unlock it
Lock it, lock it, lock-lock it
Got the key can you unlock it? (x10,000)”
Charli XCX is no stranger to this technique as she has used it in many other songs before, whether it’s one of her own or a song she has written for another artist, here are a few examples:
“I Got It” (feat. Brooke Candy, CupcakKe and Pablo Vittar) (2017)
“I got it, I got it, I got it, I got it, I got it, I got it
I got it, I got it, I got it, I got it, I got it, I got it
I got it, I got it, I got it, I got it, I got it, I got it
I got it, I got it, I got it, yeah
I got it, I got it, I got it, I got it, I got it, I got it
I got it, I got it, I got it, I got it, I got it, I got it
I got it, I got it, I got it, I got it, I got it, I got it
I got it, I got it, I got it, yeah”
“Vroom Vroom” (2016)
(Vroom vroom) Bitches know they can’t catch me
(Vroom vroom) Cute, sexy and my ride’s sporty
(Vroom vroom) Those slugs know they can’t catch me
(Vroom vroom) Beep beep, so let’s ride
(Vroom vroom) Bitches know they can’t catch me
(Vroom vroom) Cute, sexy and my ride’s sporty
(Vroom vroom) Those slugs know they can’t catch me
(Vroom vroom) Beep beep, so let’s ride
“Boys” (2017)
I was busy thinking ’bout boys
Boys, boys
I was busy dreaming ’bout boys
Boys, boys (XCX)
Head is spinning thinking ’bout boys
Lyrics Source: Genius
You might have come across ‘Unlock It’ on your social media as it has reached a meme level of fame, from dance-offs in a basement to Charli XCX’s use of repetition in her lyrics being mocked; this track is perfect for any meme situation:
*store hasn't had a customer in over 10 minutes*
me and my coworkers: pic.twitter.com/CTQCuqVSmu— ? (@tristehomo) May 16, 2018
https://twitter.com/gossipgriII/status/996127897067941890
If you’ve discovered a new found love for Charli XCX and her music then we recommend you check out our articles on her tracks, ‘Delicious’ and ‘1 Night’ as well as her 2017 mixtape, ‘Number 1 Angel’. Whilst you’re here, why not just check out her entire discography?: