Charli XCX has released her new album, "Music, Fashion, Film," a collection of 11 guitar-based songs created in response to a sudden surge of inspiration.
The album marks a departure from the dance-centric sound of her previous, critically acclaimed record, "Brat." Charli XCX described the inspiration for "Music, Fashion, Film" as striking her "out of the blue," leading her to create the new material in a matter of weeks. The songs aim to make sense of her experiences over the past two years, following the significant success of "Brat," which saw hits like "Guess," "Apple," and "360."
"Brat" itself became a cultural touchstone, even being co-opted into Kamala Harris's 2024 presidential campaign. The term "brat" was added to the Collins English Dictionary to characterize a "confident, independent, and hedonistic attitude," reflecting the music's impact.
Following a year-long tour for "Brat," Charli XCX had also taken on acting roles, wrote the soundtrack for Emerald Fennell's adaptation of "Wuthering Heights," and married her longtime partner George Daniel. Despite these endeavors and a perceived need for a break, the artist felt compelled to return to the studio.
"If I'd made another album that felt more dance-leaning, it would have felt really hard, really sad," Charli XCX told Vogue. She added in a newsletter to fans, "To be boring is to die right there on the spot. Give up, give in, go home, stay home, end it all."
"Music, Fashion, Film" is described as smart, self-referential, funny, and antagonistic, differing significantly from "Brat." The album's stripped-away approach examines her life in the aftermath of "Brat's" success.
