Charli XCX has released her seventh studio album, "Music, Fashion, Film," a collection that largely moves away from the dance beats of her 2024 breakthrough album "Brat." The new album, out today, incorporates grinding guitars and distorted electronics, drawing inspiration from off-kilter indie-rock bands like the Pixies.
"Brat," which featured vibrant lime-green artwork, propelled the Essex-raised singer from relative fame to bona fide superstardom, sparking a cultural phenomenon known as "Brat summer" and leading to a headline slot on Glastonbury's Other Stage. Following this success, Charli XCX, born Charlotte Aitchison, explored other avenues, including creating the soundtrack for Emerald Fennell's film and starring in the documentary "The Moment."
However, she has now returned to pop music with "Music, Fashion, Film." The 33-year-old's latest offering, produced with regular collaborators A.G. Cook and Finn Keane, is a concise 30-minute album featuring 11 tracks. The album delves into themes of fame, identity, and the artist's complex relationship with her public persona and personal life, including her 2025 marriage to George Daniel, drummer for The 1975.
On the opening track "Rock Music," Charli XCX declares, "I think the dance floor is dead," signaling the album's shift in sonic direction. Tracks like "Yeah" emphasize guitars, while "Card Declined" explores the artist's ability to blend mainstream appeal with experimental sounds. Lyrically, the album is characterized by its candidness, with songs addressing her marriage, her acting career, and her public image.
"Music, Fashion, Film" features collaborations and reflections on her peers, offering nuanced observations rather than overt criticism. While the album's artwork, a photograph of John Cale, Marc Jacobs, and Martin Scorsese, is more understated than "Brat's" iconic cover, the record reinforces Charli XCX's reputation as one of Britain's most adventurous mainstream pop artists. She is scheduled to perform at Reading and Leeds Festival on August 28 and 29.