LONDON — Charli XCX’s highly anticipated album *Music, Fashion, Film* will arrive July 24 via Atlantic Records, marking a bold creative pivot for the artist as she expands beyond pop and into experimental rock, film, and visual storytelling. The album’s provocative title—derived from lyrics in the lead single “SS26″—signals a project that blurs the boundaries between music, fashion, and cinema, with a cover art collaboration featuring legendary figures like John Cale, Marc Jacobs, and Martin Scorsese.
The announcement comes as XCX continues to redefine her artistic identity, following her 2023 British Vogue cover story where she declared, *“I think the dancefloor is dead, so now we’re making rock music”*—a statement that sparked widespread debate among fans and critics. While she later clarified the remark was more about creative evolution than a strict genre shift, *Music, Fashion, Film* suggests a deliberate embrace of rock’s rebellious spirit, albeit through her signature hyperpop lens.
With 11 tracks spanning 30 minutes and 5 seconds, the album arrives at a pivotal moment for XCX, who has spent the past year diversifying into film acting (*Wuthering Heights* soundtrack) and contributing to collaborative projects like *Mother Mary*. Her upcoming festival performances—including Lollapalooza, Outside Lands, and Reading & Leeds—will offer fans a first listen to the album’s sound.
“11 songs, 30 minutes, 5 seconds.”
@charlixcx #MusicFashionFilm
Album Title and Themes: What *Music, Fashion, Film* Represents
The album’s title is directly lifted from the lyrics of “SS26,” where XCX sings: *“We’re walkin’ on a runway that goes straight to hell / Nothing’s gonna save us, not music, fashion or film.”* The line reflects a nihilistic yet defiant tone, aligning with the album’s cover art—a black-and-white photograph by Aidan Zamiri featuring John Cale, Marc Jacobs, and Martin Scorsese. While the exact symbolism remains open to interpretation, industry insiders suggest the trio represents the album’s three core pillars: music (Cale), fashion (Jacobs), and film (Scorsese).
_Censored.jpg/revision/latest/scale-to-width-down/1200?cb=20220812214222 "Martin Scorsese Charli XCX album art teaser")
XCX’s collaboration with Cale, a Velvet Underground legend, is particularly noteworthy. The two previously worked together on the *Wuthering Heights* soundtrack, where Cale contributed strings to XCX’s track “The Night We Met.” Their reunion here hints at a deeper exploration of rock’s avant-garde roots, though XCX has resisted labeling the album as strictly “rock.”
“It’s not a rock album, but it’s a rock *vibe*,” a source close to the project told Pitch. “Charli is taking the attitude of rock—its rawness, its rebellion—but filtering it through her own hyperpop DNA.”
Where to Catch *Music, Fashion, Film* Live
XCX will perform *Music, Fashion, Film* at four major festivals this summer, offering fans a first taste of the album’s sound:
- Lollapalooza (Chicago, August 3–6)
- Outside Lands (San Francisco, August 10–12)
- Reading Festival (UK, August 24–26)
- Leeds Festival (UK, August 25–27)
Her Reading & Leeds appearances are particularly significant, as she headlined the UK festivals in 2022 with her *Crash* tour. This year’s sets may feature a stripped-down, rock-infused approach, given the album’s themes.
From Dancefloor to Rock: XCX’s Creative Pivot
XCX’s declaration in British Vogue that *“the dancefloor is dead”* ignited discussions about the future of pop music. While she later clarified the remark was a playful provocation—*“a video of me making a song called ‘rock music’ that is not actually rock music”*—the statement underscored a shift in her artistic priorities.
Her move toward rock aligns with a broader trend among Gen Z artists, who are increasingly blending genres. Acts like Olivia Rodrigo and Arlo Parks have also incorporated rock elements into their work, signaling a potential revival of the genre’s rebellious ethos.
Yet XCX’s approach remains distinct. Unlike traditional rock albums, *Music, Fashion, Film* is expected to retain her signature electronic production, with rock’s attitude rather than its conventions. Early leaks suggest a mix of guitar-driven anthems and glitchy, experimental tracks—further proof that XCX is not abandoning her pop roots but expanding them.
Key Takeaways: What to Expect from *Music, Fashion, Film*
- Release Date: July 24, 2024 (via Atlantic Records)
- Length: 11 tracks, 30 minutes, 5 seconds
- Lead Singles: “Rock Music” and “SS26” (both released in 2024)
- Cover Art: Black-and-white photo by Aidan Zamiri featuring John Cale, Marc Jacobs, and Martin Scorsese
- Festivals: Lollapalooza, Outside Lands, Reading & Leeds (August 2024)
- Themes: Genre-blurring, rock-inspired rebellion, nihilistic lyricism
What’s Next for Charli XCX?
Following *Music, Fashion, Film*, XCX has no immediate projects announced, though her recent film roles (*Wuthering Heights*, *Mother Mary*) suggest she will continue exploring multimedia storytelling. Fans can expect:
- A potential tour in late 2024 or early 2025, pending festival success
- Further collaborations with filmmakers and fashion brands, given the album’s themes
- A possible follow-up to *BRAT*, though no official timeline has been set
For now, all eyes are on July 24, when *Music, Fashion, Film* arrives—a project that may redefine XCX’s career and challenge perceptions of modern rock.
What do you think of XCX’s shift toward rock? Will *Music, Fashion, Film* change the game for pop music? Share your thoughts in the comments—and don’t forget to follow World Today Journal for updates on the album’s reception.