Charli XCX Shifts Gears: Why She’s Trading Dance Floors for Rock Music
Charli XCX has officially signaled a departure from the high-octane electronic sound that defined her 2024 cultural phenomenon, Brat. In a candid new interview, the artist revealed that she is currently deep in the creative process for her eighth studio album, and the direction is decidedly more guitar-driven. “The dance floor is dead, so now we’re making rock music,” she declared, marking a bold transition for the pop visionary.
A New Sonic Direction
The shift comes after a whirlwind period that saw Charli XCX headline major global festivals and inspire the viral ‘Brat summer’ craze. Having recently provided the score for Emerald Fennell’s Wuthering Heights adaptation and released a companion project, the singer is now focused on pushing her boundaries. During a conversation with Vogue, she offered a glimpse into the upcoming record, playing unreleased tracks anchored by gritty electric guitar riffs.
“I think the dance floor is dead, so now we’re making rock music,” she explained, noting that her inspiration stems from the nocturnal energy of being out in the world. She emphasized that she is determined to avoid the trap of creating a ‘Brat 2.0’, preferring to explore new, more internal avenues of expression.
“I’ve been making music since I was 14. It’s nearly 20 years. I feel very spoiled saying this, but there is not much that can thrill me within music any more. For me, it’s fun to flip the form. We know there’s gonna be people who are bothered by it, but that’s fine.”
Finding Purpose Through Art
Charli reflected on the necessity of evolving her sound, even if it risks alienating those who preferred her previous work. She noted that the intense hype surrounding her last album actually fueled a craving for something more quiet and introspective. “Getting back to something more internal is really nice,” she shared. The new project aims to examine how art provides a sense of purpose, particularly when she looks beyond the domestic sphere of her life with husband George Daniel.
“I don’t really want to write songs about my husband forever,” she admitted. “If I write about our relationship, I’m probably only really interested in writing about some of the more obscure feelings of being married.” Instead, the album will grapple with the existential weight of her creative identity and what life might look like if her connection to art were ever severed.
Looking Ahead
While the new album has yet to be officially announced, the artist has been active in the studio, sharing glimpses of her progress with fans. This pivot aligns with her previous comments about feeling “stuck, empty and barren” following the overwhelming success of Brat, leading her to seek inspiration in film and more experimental indie pop textures. With producers like A.G. Cook and Finn Keane involved, the project is already being described as an “anti-Brat” statement.
As she prepares to make her headline debut at Reading & Leeds this August, fans can expect a fresh, perhaps more classic feel, as Charli XCX continues to challenge the expectations of modern pop music.
