British pop sensation Charli XCX has responded to the mixed reception of her latest single, 'Rock Music', from her forthcoming album 'Music, Fashion, Film'. The track, which features the lyric: 'I think the dancefloor is dead, so now we’re making rock music,' sparked widespread debate and confusion among fans and critics alike, largely because the song itself does not align with the rock genre.
In a recent interview, the 33-year-old artist clarified that the song's title was an 'inside joke' within the studio and pushed back against the narrative that she was embarking on a rock reinvention. She stated that she 'never said' she was making a rock album, adding that she views genre in a non-binary way, considering such distinctions 'a very old-school notion'. The initial widespread interpretation of her new direction was fuelled partly by a British Vogue interview that described her project as a 'rock reinvention' ahead of the song's official release.
Charli XCX elaborated that the controversial lyric about the 'dead dancefloor' was a personal reflection on her relationship with her previous dance-pop album, 'Brat', and her experiences surrounding it. She highlighted that dance music is currently in a vibrant state, citing her husband's involvement in a dance-music label and the success of contemporary artists like PinkPantheress. Even global icon Madonna appeared to weigh in on the debate, posting an Instagram caption that read: 'If your dance floor feels dead/ Maybe you’re playing the wrong music.'
Beyond the musical discourse, Charli XCX made a candid admission about her current mental state, revealing that she is in 'the worst place mentally that I’ve been in my life'. She indicated that this interview would likely be her last long-form discussion with a journalist 'for a minute', explaining that she has been more offline recently for the benefit of her mental well-being. This marks a shift for an artist known for her active online presence, suggesting a need for increased privacy and space.
The album, 'Music, Fashion, Film', is set to be released on 24 July. Fans eagerly await to see how the full project unfolds, especially in light of the initial single's reception and the artist's personal revelations. The discussion around 'Rock Music' highlights the evolving nature of genre in contemporary pop and the pressures artists face in an increasingly scrutinised public sphere.
Source: Rolling Stone