'Charli' Deepens Charli XCX’s Lasting Impact
by Alessandra Guarneri
Charli XCX continues to combat mainstream pop formulas following the release of her most recent album Charli. With this full-length body of work, she’s opened up more than ever, giving fans the ability to know her on a personal level—to understand the world of Charli.
Charli wears her influences on her sleeve throughout the entire record: several prominent figures in the music industry either had a hands-on role in the production process or had a more psychological impact on her from afar—this includes Troye Sivan, Ed Sheeran, and Lizzo, among others.
A few weeks have passed since the release of Charli, but secrets about the album's creation are still being revealed as time goes on. Most recently, Charli recalled being heavily inspired by Ed Sheeran when writing certain songs on the LP. In an interview with Vogue, she remembered working on the track “Official” in the studio and trying to create the song through the perspective and lens of how Ed Sheeran would write it—she wanted to write from a new and fresh perspective. “Official,” details a complex relationship that is not yet labeled, existing in the awkward limbo of more than friends, but less than dating. Charli strives to open up about her similar struggles regarding love and connect with listeners through her vulnerable lyrics. She clearly wanted this album to be more personal and intimate and praised Sheeran for writing in a way that was both conversational and vulnerable. This, in fact, affected her style of lyricism on more than one track.
This new album has been a major step in Charli’s transition from “bubblegum pop” to a more experimental and electronic sound. She has looked for guidance from some of the industry’s greats to aid in her rebranding.
Charli XCX has written for countless artists and has helped some of the biggest pop songs of this decade come to life. Though Charli’s work behind the scenes with artists of all genres often falls under the radar, the industry would undeniably be different without her. Her projects with Ty Dolla $ign, Rita Ora and David Guetta speak for themselves.
Charli devotes time to the people she works and collaborates with and brings her collaborations to life by getting to know the other person that is a part of the song firsthand. For example, while she wrote “Scar Tissues,” an as-yet-unreleased track for Camila Cabello, she got to know the “Havana” singer and they have remained close friends ever since. The two even toured with Taylor Swift together last year. As a successful writer and collaborator who has navigated the pop scene for years now, Charli has a formula when it comes to her triumphs in this industry: she knows how to develop connections with the people she is writing for or working with, and then channels that energy into the music.
In the same vein, although some collaborations did not make this album, that does not mean they will not make her next project. For example, Grimes and Charli created a track together that involved a lot of late-night work in the studio, but the pair decided they wanted to do something that was more “pop” instead. Whether or not we will hear their original collaboration remains a mystery, but fans of the two stars remain hopeful and outspoken on social media. In terms of other celebrity influences behind the scenes, the “1999” singer also disclosed that she had been in contact with Matty Healy, the 1975’s lead singer, in regards to this record.
Even now, Charli’s work remains authentic: the production and lyrics presented on Charli prove that her evolution as an artist is genuine. She maintains her status as a hitmaker through continuing her success in such a competitive industry. By studying other artists and getting to know them firsthand, Charli XCX is ahead of the game and knows exactly how to get the most powerful and sincere collaborations, as well as solo singles, out for listeners to appreciate.