Charli XCX Signals Shift Toward Rock Sound on Upcoming Eighth Album
Charli XCX is preparing to take her next project in a markedly different direction, moving away from the club-driven sound that has defined much of her recent work in favor of a more rock-oriented approach. In a recent interview with British Vogue, the artist offered an early look at her eighth studio album, describing it as a deliberate stylistic pivot shaped by both creative instinct and fatigue with expectations.
While details about the album remain limited, Charli XCX indicated that the project represents a conscious departure from the high-energy, dance-focused aesthetic that characterized her previous releases, including Brat. Instead, she described an interest in exploring a sound that feels more introspective and restrained, even as it draws from the traditions of rock music.
“For me, it’s fun to flip the form,” she said in the interview, acknowledging that the shift may not align with audience expectations. The comment reflects a broader pattern in her career, which has often been defined by experimentation and a willingness to disrupt her own established identity.
The artist suggested that continuing in the same musical lane would have been creatively limiting. After years of producing music built around electronic and club influences, she said the idea of returning to a similar structure felt “difficult” and emotionally draining. The new material, by contrast, appears to be rooted in contrast, both sonically and conceptually.
The production process for the album has once again involved longtime collaborators A. G. Cook and Easyfun, figures closely associated with the experimental pop collective PC Music and with Charli XCX’s recent sonic evolution. Their involvement suggests that while the album may lean toward rock, it is unlikely to abandon the artist’s signature approach to texture and structure.
According to the interview, the team has been experimenting with analog-inspired recording techniques, though Charli XCX framed this approach in deliberately unconventional terms. Rather than attempting to replicate traditional rock authenticity, she described the process as filtered through her own aesthetic, with an emphasis on avoiding clichés often associated with the genre.
In parallel with the new music, Charli XCX has made visible changes to her public-facing image. She recently cleared much of her social media presence, removing the bright, chartreuse-heavy visuals that defined the Brat era. What remains is a more subdued, monochromatic presentation, suggesting a visual reset that aligns with the tonal shift she described in the interview.
Despite the time elapsed since Brat, Charli XCX’s visibility has remained high. The album’s release cycle extended into a global tour and marked a milestone in her career, including her first Grammy wins. She has also expanded her work into film, starring in and producing The Moment, a project centered on a fictionalized version of her own touring experience. The film premiered at the Sundance Film Festival and featured appearances from a range of high-profile figures.
Beyond that, Charli XCX has contributed music to multiple film projects, including Wuthering Heights and the psychological drama Mother Mary, which stars Anne Hathaway and Michaela Coel. She is also set to appear in Erupcja, an upcoming film scheduled for release later this month. Her live schedule remains active as well, with headline performances planned at Lollapalooza and Outside Lands later this year.
Charli XCX’s upcoming album is still in development and will be released through Atlantic Records. No official release date has been announced.
