Charli XCX

The last 30 seconds of "Click" may be the most unlistenable, unpleasant thing I've ever heard in my life

I was surprised this wasn’t on the album, was on of my favourites of the recent tracks.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DSQEKEegiH0

I don't know, I feel like there's a bit of the old Charli on this album! "Cross You Out" and its 80s prom sludge especially reminds me of True Romance. To me the album is kind of messy but also solidly reconciles two of her principal personas, being "brash pop singer" and "bonkers pop reformist" (for the latter, see "Shake It" and "Click")

this is generally fine but mostly feels like an attempt to recapture the magic of Pop 2 that doesn't quite get there (though gets decently close at times). it's less focused, not quite as jam-packed with hooks and the textures feel a little brighter and harsher too which ends up a bit grating by the end.

"gone" is kinda representative of the whole album because it's a pretty good song but then goes for a "backseat"-style breakdown but doesn't quite push things as far and the end result is a bit underwhelming in comparison?

i know the haim track came out weeks ago but that's my favorite, it kicks ass

is there some label drama that kept "Pop 2" from being an "album"? I loved it. Given what they did with "Blame it on Your Love", this album comes off as trying to reshape that sound to something than can chart... then again "Click" gets pretty damn weird.

Anyway I've been looking forward to the album and didn't bother with the other singles much. Talk later,angels

"white mercedes" is excellent, fully hybridized charli

"blame it on your love" and "1999" are far and away the worst songs on this

"Gone" sounded good at Pitchfork a couple months ago.

WHY YOU WANNA GO TO SLEEP
DON'T GO TO SLEEP
DON'T GO TO SLEEP
LET'S GO OUUUUUT

― emo canon in twee major (BradNelson), Monday, April 22, 2013 1:02 PM (six years ago) bookmarkflaglink

me otm

"White Mercedes," "I Don't Wanna Know," and "Official" sound like future soft-rock radio staples to me

Very disappointed with the tame noisiness at the end of "Click" after the "most unlistenable, unpleasant thing I've ever heard in my life" setup!

I still want a whole album that sounds like "Nuclear Seasons", one day, but for now this sounds pretty intriguing. "Next Level Charli", "Gone", "Cross You Out", "Click", "Warm", "Thoughts", "White Mercedes" and "Silver Cross" is my initial abridged version, and I suspect my 12yo daughter will like most of the ones I didn't pick.

Oh, and "2099", I'll take that one, too.

"blame it on your love" is decent enough even when "track 10" already exists, except for the drop and the lizzo verse which is as perfunctory as guest-rap bridges get

I feel like this is a valid compromise of the music that Charli wants to make and what her label wants her to release.
*shrug* I kinda like it.

But I've also set my expections on worse and so I'm glad this record still has its Pop2'esque moments, even though like everyone and their mom I'd - of course - want a Pop 3 by Charli instead of another "regular" album.

Sad about this release. The relentless release of singles was an odd gesture that I couldn't figure out whether done in pride or worry --- but so very likely some other monetary gain behind it. It's just very mediocre. There are moments that never shine. And, me, I'm the kind of guy who worships AG and regularly listens to his Soundcloud mixes just because I find his style so addictive. There's so little here that I want to listen to again.

Still optimistic for Pop 3!

Seeing as they did a remix of 'What I Like' years ago I'm shocked that 'Cross You Out' isn't a straight off the rail Com Truise joint. I guess the overlap between them and AG Cook is smaller than I appreciated.

Surprised to see such a mixed reaction for the album on here. I'm pretty much obsessed with it as much as I have been with her best work. It does feel like a best of Charli as I can hear some of her previous eras throughout. Doesn't really sound like that much of a compromise at all. I've even come around to 1999 now.

Official is my current favourite. One of her best ballads.

i think it's too long and kind of a mess and not as good as pop 2 but yeah it's a good charli record

"thoughts," "white mercedes," "silver cross," "official" all great

lots of hooks buried exhausting sonics, somehow it's the same production sound as pop 2 just with the line between exciting and fatiguing very blurry. the opening retread of backseat chord progression and arrangement and then the fusillade of autotune vox feels bracing. also blame it on your love suxxxxxx so bad compared to the OG. that said i'll be listening again shortly!

Yeah, including Blame It On Your Love seems like a weird choice. I'm sure I read Charli saying that the record company were obsessed with it and thought it was going to be the hit. The original is so much better as you say. It's probably the only song I'd lose from the album at this point.

Loving this. Still haven't come around on "1999" and "Track 10">>>>>"Blame It On Your Love" (but I mean I don't skip it anyways). Everything else is class. "Next Level Charli" is a perfect opener.

Weirdly couldn't find the CD at the mall (Canada) so I ordered it on eBay.

We just got tickets to see her live in a couple of weeks. Even though I know there's zero chance of any Superlove, True Romance or Sucker I figured it will still be a fun night out.

i am next level jelly

Oh no, is "Blame it on your love" a normcore remake of "Track 10?"

I'll have to give this record a listen today.

agree with bradnelson

This new one is really growing on me. It's maybe not as inventive as pop 2, but it's very, very catchy throughout, kind of a sweet spot for her.

I didn't like "1999" on release but in the album it really kicks it

I've had a lot of album of the year contenders this year and honestly this is right up there.

i was sleeping on this but finally heard it last week, shit is turnt.

Anyone wanna buy my 2 tickets for her London Halloween show?

I know someone who wants one ticket.

Tell them to email me at samuelpooley @ gmail.com

Really loved the gig, Christine coming on was a moment:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ALv5EnaXZbY

The first single from Charli's upcoming quarantine album is really making me feel emotional right now.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TbJE-KVZvTA

beautiful song

so excited she is releasing a new album as a birthday present to me thx charli

Yeah, love it when she makes this particular sort of noise, great song.

It reminds me of a couple of bits of True Romance, only like how she would do them now.

I have been listening to True Romance quite a bit recently

The second single Claws is a really great song and video combination too. Both these songs haven given me a lot of comfort over the last couple of weeks. I guess I'm at the stage where Charli is one of those artists that I can really rely on. Very excited for the album next week, if she can still pull this off by that time.

Bumping this thread since the quarantine release is out tmrw--thought "Forever" was great, "Claws" was OK and this one was really good (there's one which see demoed on IG Live that at the time she referred to as "Project XCX" which now seems to be called "Anthems" which I'm esp curious as to how it'll turn out): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T0D2fZ_P0Hg

This album is a start to finish masterpiece imo. It is so poignant but blissful! Veers from gecs-y anthems to og garage slow jams, and all the syrupy pop notes in between. Her best.

Whoops, 'she demoed' xp: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gASgeLVBeNk

hyyyype

she actually got it done in time for a press preview?

it's out now here in australia

aaaa yes it do work that way

hyyyype!

Just gave it a first play on Spotify. It’s late and I need the 💤 but there were a few very promising moments. Will come back to at the weekend. Interested to know a bit more about how the “do it yourself” bits with fans worked.