Charli xcx follows Brat with her most reflective album yet

Charli XCX is turning the lens inward and outward with her latest album, "Music, Fashion, Film." While her previous work, particularly the hit album "Brat," cemented her status as a global pop phenomenon and a "party girl" icon, this new project delves into the enduring legacy of art and artists.

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I think the Charli of 2007 would just be really grateful that I was making my eighth record.

The British artist, who has been a prominent figure in music and film composition over the past few years, is now exploring how creative figures are remembered long after their peak. This reflective turn comes after the massive success of "Brat," which broke audience records and featured a star-studded music video. Even political figures like Kamala Harris acknowledged the album's cultural impact.

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I think when I started I never really had the intention of kind of like 'I'm gonna make eight records'.

Reflecting on her career, Charli XCX expressed gratitude for reaching her eighth album. "I think the Charli of 2007 would just be really grateful that I was making my eighth record," she told triple j Breakfast. She admitted that when she started, she lacked the foresight for a long career, driven simply by a passion for making music without deep industry knowledge.

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I didn't know much about the music industry at all when I first started making music, I just wanted to do it.

"Music, Fashion, Film" marks a stylistic departure, introduced by the stark black and white visuals of the lead single "Rock Music." This deliberate choice contrasts with the high-saturation aesthetic of her previous work, aiming to keep the focus squarely on the art form itself. Charli has also intentionally reduced her online presence during the album's production, a move she acknowledges might be met with skepticism given her historically online persona.

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I had a real passion for making music, but I wasn't having the foresight of a long career.