Charli XCX to release rock-inspired album as follow-up to Brat
Charli XCX has been hinting at a change in direction for her upcoming project post the massive success of her album Brat. In an interview with British Vogue, the Grammy-winning artist shared that she is shifting gears towards creating a rock album, showcasing her desire to experiment with different styles and sounds.
Exploring this new avenue, Charli explained, “If I’d made another album that felt more dance-leaning, it would have felt really hard, really sad. But what is interesting to me is to bend the possibilities of what my perspective on that could be.” This shift towards rock music has been a secret project in the works and Charli had been laying the groundwork during her appearance at Paris Fashion Week last year.
Discussing the creative process behind it, Charli mentioned, “We knew we wanted to go to Paris to do it. We knew it would be this very hectic, rich time and we like creating in that kind of atmosphere.” Embracing this transformation, she finds joy in challenging the norm, stating, “For me, it’s fun to flip the form,” as she delves into a more instrument-based approach compared to her signature electronic dance-pop style. While she anticipates pushback from some listeners, Charli remains unfazed by criticism, welcoming the opportunity to explore new musical territories.
Charli’s musical journey began with the release of her debut studio album True Romance in 2013, followed by a series of releases that varied in commercial success. However, her breakthrough came with the release of Brat in 2024, securing her first UK number one single in over a decade with the Billie Eilish collaboration “Guess.” The album also garnered Charli five Brit Awards and three Grammys, cementing her position in the music industry. Additionally, she achieved chart-topping success with her album companion to the movie “Wuthering Heights,” featuring singles like “House” and “Chains Of Love.”
For fans eager to learn more about Charli XCX’s rock-inspired journey and creative process, her full interview in the latest issue of British Vogue, available from Tuesday, 21 April, promises to offer insight into her evolution as an artist. Stay tuned for more updates on her musical endeavors and the exciting new direction she is set to embark on.