Charli XCX pivots from hyperpop on post-Brat album

British artist Charli XCX has unveiled her seventh studio album, Music, Fashion, Film, marking a notable shift away from the hyperpop exuberance that defined her previous release, Brat. Dropped on a Friday in 2024, this latest project showcases a more subdued and introspective side of the 33-year-old singer-songwriter, engaging deeply with themes of self-examination and artistic identity.

Following the widespread acclaim of Brat, which dominated the summer with its energetic, club-ready sound, Charli XCX has chosen to pivot towards a moodier, self-referential palette. This album contemplates the complexities of global fame and the insecurities often masked by commercial success. It thematically weaves through the intertwined realms of music, cinema, and fashion, suggesting a nuanced meditation on the durability of creative expression.

The album’s physical presentation complements its conceptual depth. Its black-and-white vinyl cover features iconic figures representing the triad of industries central to Charli’s exploration: John Cale from the Velvet Underground, fashion designer Marc Jacobs, and filmmaker Martin Scorsese. This artistic choice underlines the album’s ambition to bridge multiple cultural domains and pay homage to enduring influences.

Musically, Music, Fashion, Film consists of 11 concise tracks that blend electronic elements with guitar-driven riffs, maintaining Charli’s distinctive deadpan lyrical style. A palpable sense of nostalgia permeates the soundscape, inviting listeners to revisit and reflect upon the past while navigating the present. The closing track, No One Lasts Forever, includes a voiceover from Canadian director David Cronenberg, whose cult classic Crash inspired Charli’s fifth album. Cronenberg’s narration meditates on the paradox of artistic immortality versus the mortality of the creator.

The visual components accompanying the album further emphasize its cinematic ties. The video for the song Camera features French actor Vincent Cassel, notable for his collaboration with Cronenberg on a recent film. This cross-disciplinary synergy highlights Charli’s expanding engagement with the film industry, a field she has ventured into by composing the soundtrack for Emerald Fennell’s adaptation of Wuthering Heights and pursuing acting roles.

Earlier in 2024, Charli released a tongue-in-cheek mockumentary titled The Moment, in which she portrayed herself grappling with the pressures to evolve beyond the Brat persona that had become synonymous with her recent image. This meta-narrative underlines her artistic intention to distance herself from the hedonistic themes of the previous album and explore a broader creative identity.

Critical response to Music, Fashion, Film has been notably positive. The Guardian awarded the album a five-star rating, describing it as both astute and emotionally resonant. Billboard also praised the collection, labeling it a compelling and addictive addition to Charli’s growing body of work, which is increasingly recognized as influential in 21st-century pop music.

Since concluding her Brat tour, Charli XCX appears to be charting a new phase in her career that embraces complexity and self-reflection. By integrating influences from multiple art forms and confronting the challenges of fame, Music, Fashion, Film positions her as an artist willing to evolve and challenge expectations. Further details about the album’s production and reception remain limited as it continues to make its impact.