Charli XCX’s ‘Crash’ sends fans into a frenzy

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NRK P3 | Flickr

David Alvarado

Charli XCX, the 29-year-old British singer-songwriter, debuted her sexually charged album “Crash” on March 18. This is the fifth and final album the artist will produce under her current record contract with Atlantic Records.

Fans underestimated the English artist after the singles she released before her album didn’t perform well. “Good Ones,” “New Shapes” and “Beg For You” were a glimpse into the artist’s new era of music as the album embodies feelings of confidence, regret and self-sabotage.

Within a day of the album’s release, “Crash” received thousands of streams across all major platforms.

“@Charli_XCX returns with #CRASH debuting at #1 in the USA (March 18-20, 2022),” Spotify Charts tweeted.

Charli XCX isn’t new to the music industry as she released her single “SuperLove” in 2013, peaking at number 62 on the UK Singles Chart. Her acoustics have changed as she transitioned from a party girl to an eccentric woman. Her vocals in “Crash” are a testament to that change as they are packed with trauma, promiscuity and heartache.

She effortlessly shapeshifts into new music genres without missing a beat. However, her fans can’t help but compare her current work to past masterpieces, like her album “True Romance,” which people danced to in clubs and sang in their cars with the windows down.

Regardless of Charli’s growing reputation as a prevalent artist in today’s music, she is receiving aggressively hostile backlash on the new album as fans dismiss the artist’s sacrifices and efforts.

“As her last album with her current record label Atlantic Records, it lacks the electricity that typically infuses her gothic and dance-pop-inspired music,” Young Folks Magazine wrote.

She lacks authenticity in certain tracks. The song “Beg For You” is similar to September’s “Cry For You,” which was released in 2005. The title, beat and message of the song demonstrate the musician’s failure to channel her own thoughts, and songwriting talents, instead choosing to inspire herself through the work of others.

While Charli XCX isn’t the first artist to produce content similar to other artists, she risks losing her credibility as an artist. Ariana Grande’s “7 Rings” scandal is a perfect example of what can happen to a celebrity who fails to execute originality.

The death of Grammy nominated producer-musicianSophie Xeon, who went by her first name, , may have caused the artist’s creative decline. She died in a hiking accident during a trip to Greece in 2021, Variety reported. Xeon and Charli developed a strong friendship while working on music together and Sophie’s passing took a toll on Charli’s mental health.

“I wish I had told her more how special she was, not just her music, but her as a person. I love you and I will never forget you, Sophie,” the artist tweeted.

Despite her hardships throughout her music career, Charli XCX never succumbs to  societal pressure and continues to sing and perform the way she wants to.

“Crash” navigates the realness of experiencing love and heartbreak through a series of vocal performances that portray the artist’s vulnerability in ways her fans can empathize with.

“Good Ones” exposes her naïve sexual desire for men who don’t align with her morals, making her give in to toxicity she’s familiar with.

“I want the bad ones, cause they’re all I know. I always let the good ones go,” she says in the song.

The artist sings her heart out in the album, addressing the uncanny details of her personal life through the art of music. She is entering a stage in her career where her “old” vibe no longer defines her talents as a vocalist, and that’s okay.

“The first single of my new chapter embraces all that my life has to offer in today’s world – fame, glamour, inner demons and global hits,” Charlie XCX wrote in a press release.