2026 Album #007: Charli XCX - Music, Fashion, Film

My Charli XCX hate era has officially resumed! I honestly didn't even know this was out, that's how far I dropped off. Her (lack of) relationship with Rina Sawayama, her partying with Russian regime supporters, all of it has just given me a massive 'red flag' vibe. To be fair, it was always there, I guess I just ignored it more before. Which is kinda my bad. This will be an album I listen to once and no more, even if I do like it. [Spoilers: I did not]. Maybe that means I would be primed to hate it from the outset, so keep that in mind. But I still do think most of her other music is fantastic.

Rock Music: I can't lie, the production at the start is catchy here. It works really well with the song. The 'rock music' part, how it was sung and everything could have been a lot better IMO. And then the vocals throughout are grating on me more... The longer it went on, the worse it got... That was heavily carried by the production, especially at the start...and then it just went downhill sadly. 5/10

SS26: Not feeling the vocals super well here. Again, I feel the production is the best part of the song with the guitars. And there's a whiff of "I'm so intelligent and this is so deep" pretentiousness in this song. It's funny...because this song is supposedly 'self-reflective' and ironic because haha...I'm bad but I'm not. But I am. But I'm not. Like it's clearly poking fun at all of her previous controversies. But in what way does this actually show any sort of introspection? Being aware of something and poking fun at yourself for doing it ("haha aren't I so ditzy") doesn't actually fix anything. I always got a "I'm 14 and this is deep" vibe from her social media presence and this really shows especially in this song. Did I mention the vocals suck? And the production, while the best part of the song, still isn't amazing. It really salvages it from an even worse rating. 4/10

Card Declined: Even from the start, I can tell this is trying way too hard. It's trying not to at the same time, to be "haha I'm ironically trying too hard", but it fails miserably. It's so #edgy. I do not like it. The production is probably yet again the most interesting part. Vocals majorly suck yet again. Oh, it's not over yet? I kinda fell asleep. Cool there's a switchup, I guess. 4/10

Camera: The production means it could be something? The vocals aren't too bad here for once, I feel like they work somewhat better. This one doesn't feel like it's trying too hard to be edgy or 'very intelligent', and is more an expression of emotion. The talking part actually worked very well, props for that. A decent song overall. 6/10

2007: I guess I'm not really feeling it? Oh, never mind, it picked up somewhat. So that's good. A bit repetitive but it is Charli XCX. That song...existed. I guess. It literally inspired nothing in me. 5/10

I'm Afraid: This had something again. It's discordant but not in an awful way. I'm not a major fan of how it sounds overall but I do like the emotional exploration here. It's again a highlight as it isn't trying to be pseudo-intellectual and edgy and pretentious. 6/10

Yeah: I don't want to be listening to this album either Charli. The pickup was good. I like the production getting louder. Pretty nice. The problem is I feel the pretentiousness coming back with a song that is this 'basic'. It feels like she's trying too hard with this song yet again and trying to make it so there's 'hidden meanings' to it or whatever. I don't wanna feel it, honestly. But the production is the best part by far again. The slower part was also cool. 6/10

Wink Wink: Oh my god, you said it for effect? Haha! You're saying nonsense to generate Discourse TM? Of course. It's ironic! It's talking about myself! It's intellectual! Search for the hidden deeper meaning! Wink Wink! The sad thing is the chorus is actually one of the most listenable parts of the album by far. Like by far. The rest is...eh, though. 5/10

Persona: This kinda has emotion to it, and I like it. I do feel like this is more genuine from Charli. It doesn't feel like it's trying too hard to be intelligent. Cool production as well, and the vocals work well with it. Probably my favourite song so far? The chorus is good! 7/10

Magic Metal Montana: This is alright. Nothing too special. Not too pleasant to listen to again but it's okay. 5/10

No One Lasts Forever (feat. David Cronenberg): It's the Star Trek guy. This feels more like it'll be more up my street. I do like it more. Not really a highlight for me overall though. Production is nice enough and the vocals aren't too bad either. Oh my god it's the Star Trek guy (I'm funny aren't I?). Kinda ate Charli up I can't lie. Oh my god, repeating it again and again...never mind. 6/10

Overall Verdict: I didn't get it. Maybe I didn't. Or I guess I did. Did I? Who cares? I'm deep. Did you get it? I don't know. Does this mean anything? Just say sentences and maybe it will sound deep and provocative. But also throw in how you're being self aware about it. Then it's very cool. I'm very smart. Or am I? And now I'm self aware about being self aware about it. I'm intentionally doing that. Isn't that cool? Provocative? Discourse? Music, Fashion, Film. Ice cream is great! Now what does that mean? Did I make you think? Did I make you post about how bad this was? The fact I thought about that and the multiple layers involved makes me very clever. The jokes on me for talking about it at all though. And saying this. And then talking about the fact I'm talking about it. And being edgy here. Or is it?