There a number of young “alt” pop stars making noise right now, and, as I said in my review of Icona Pop’s new album, hard choices must be made when it comes to picking favorites. Charli XCX is making a hard push to be top dog, and she is nailing it.

The 21-year-old British star – who already released an excellent altpop album earlier this year and a more bubblegum, candy-striped single from her next album – covered “I Want Candy” on Friday night at Slim’s in San Francisco. With an assist from Chloe Chaidez of Kitten (additional props given for choice of opening band), she aced it.

Now, Stereogum credits The Strangeloves’ 1965 original, which is well and good. However, given that she also covered a Backstreet Boys hit earlier this year, I would like to think that she had teen heartthrob Aaron Carter in mind when she picked out the song. I know that’s the first face that came to my mind when I heard it, as another (although much more American and considerably less cool) child of the 90s. Regardless of motivation, both covers are bloody brilliant.

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Tyler Hanan

Tyler raves about movies on the Let The Right Films In podcast. Listen to him make jokes over his beleaguered cohost Kayla St. Onge and their more qualified guests who deserve so much better at soundcloud.com/ltrfipod. Find him on Twitter @tylerhanan.

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