| "Nuclear Seasons" | ||||
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| Single byCharli XCX | ||||
| from the albumTrue Romanceand the EPYou're the One | ||||
| Released | 20 November 2011 (2011-11-20) | |||
| Recorded | 2011 | |||
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| Producer(s) | Rechtshaid | |||
| Charli XCX singles chronology | ||||
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| "Nuclear Seasons" onYouTube | ||||
"Nuclear Seasons" is a song by British singerCharli XCX taken from her debutextended play (EP),You're the One (2012), and was later included on her debutstudio 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, andAriel Rechtshaid, while the latter produced the song.
Musically, "Nuclear Seasons" is a slow-burningdark wave,synth-pop,electropop andlo-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 onTrue 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's80's-influenced vocalmelody 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 anuclear fallout.[6] Its lyrics speak of things such as burning cars and falling through the clouds, which according to Art Ivan ofTiny Mix Tapes, depicts what arapture would look and sound like.[5] In an interview withRolling 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 reviewingTrue Romance, Kevin Liedel ofSlant Magazine called the song a "K-pop-esque opus" which showed one of only a few moments of genuine spontaneity.[8]
Joe Rivers ofNo 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 theGuetta/Harris dance-pop template, instead injecting an effortless, swaggering cool."[9]
The video for "Nuclear Seasons" was uploaded to her channel on YouTube on 22 November 2011.[10] The video has awitch house vibe, and was directed by Ryan Evans, with effects byCrim3s. "Nuclear Seasons" was Charli's first official video, not including theSalem remix video for "Stay Away". The song is featured on a sneak peek for the Swim 2013 collection forVictoria's Secret and was featured on aseason six episode ofGossip Girl.[11][12]The song is featured in the opening credits for the film,Two Night Stand starringMiles Teller andAnaleigh Tipton.The single cover is shown as a poster in a scene of season six from British seriesSkins.