However, it seems that Charli Adams has finally given us new music lately, and her long-awaited return is nothing short of magical. With her latest single, "Airlifter," Adams has written an alt-pop love letter to the sort of friendship that elevates you at your lowest. Its producer, her longtime collaborator Andy Seltzer, joins "Airlifter" in combining her usual depths of emotion with a glimmering wash of '90s nostalgia, creating the ideal sonic backdrop for anyone who has ever relied on a friend as family.
With its lush, dreamy opening riff, "Airlifter" transports you to the era when Y2K pop-rock ruled the soundtracks of Crank and Sci-Fi House and mixtapes that burned with devotion. Adams' sweet and firm voice leads us through a highly relatable story of long-distance friendship, unconditional support, and the unspoken promise to always show up. "This song is an ode to the give and take in friendships and the way we take turns being the friend that shows up when the other inevitably needs it," Adams says.
In "Airlifter," she imagines the escape with her best friend and wishes for a better life for them both; they deserve it a thousand times over. "Airlifter" warmth and sincerity elevate it beyond a feeling, a time capsule of late-night talks, spontaneous road trips, and the kind of love that doesn't require romance to be powerful.
With "Airlifter," Charli Adams reminds us why we missed her. It's a beginning, a love song, and a reminder that friendships keep us going. Get ready to hit repeat.