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Photo: Clare Gillen

LA-based pop songstress Charlotte Lawrence laments the line between friendship and romance in her newest single “Boys Like You,” Produced by Nick Long and Dallas Caton and co-written by Lawrence, Ali Tamposi, Roman Campolo, Long, and Caton, the singer-songwriter flips assumptions made from the title by revealing she’s actually singing about a girl, who to her dismay, only likes boys. To make it even worse, boys reciprocate that love right back. The subversive songwriting adds a cheeky element to an otherwise heart-wrenching track that details the loneliness of watching the person you desire give and receive love from others.

Although “Boys Like You” is an upbeat record, Lawrence’s soft vocals deliver an underlying sense of melancholia felt throughout. When the tempo builds during the explosive choruses, elevating the extremely catchy melody and simply put lyricism, it’s hard to not bop your head along.

The lyricism in "Boys Like You" may be straightforward, but there are gems of detail littered throughout that add context and relatability to the situation. Lawrence details her anxious thoughts of “Are you mad at me?” and writes about the pair sharing a spliff, the closest she sees them ever getting to a kiss. She reads into friendly comments like “I’m your favorite place to be,” trying to decipher if they mean more. It’s an all-around relatable track for anyone who has had a crush on a friend who either might not like them back or is unsure of what it would mean to risk exploring that connection.

At the end of the day, it’s a classic friends or more scenario, with an added layer of discouragement thrown into the mix. When talking about the track, Lawrence provides an uplifting perspective to the disappointment, “We’ve all been there. It hurts, but it doesn’t have to pull you under. I’m dancing through the ache, and I hope you can dance with me.”

“Boys Like You” is a breezy banger, perfect for drives to the beach with friends, as long as one of them isn’t your unrequited love. In her second release of 2023, Lawrence showcases a knack for pop songwriting and utilizes her borderline country twang vocal delivery for a memorable summer smash.

Watch the "Boys Like You" video below: