In February, Charli XCX tweeted, “People be mad that i’m testing the major label system an art piece while still making bops… and honestly i love it,” on Friday, Charli proved that with the release of Crash. In her 5th album with Atlantic, she makes sure we know that she is a weirdo that still knows how to “play the game” of the music industry and make a conventional pop single.
Charli made it clear that the Crash era will be her “evil Charli” era where she sells out and creates commercial hits. In a recent tweet, she said her hope is that if she can make a big enough hit, it would pave the way to allow herself and other artists featured on the album like Rina Sawayama to make more experimental songs in the future. This is her last album in her contract with Atlantic, which she has been very open about being frustrated with. While many artists have put out “sell-out” records just to end a contract, Charli’s version of this was to go out with a bang instead of a whimper. She’s turned the whole idea into a persona, characterizing the idea of a major label pop star.
The sound of this album may shock some fans. Charli has always been one of the biggest names in the hyperpop genre, and while hyperpop elements can still be found throughout the album in the form of brash sounds, stylized autotune, and a dedication to SOPHIE in the liner notes, there is more of an 80’s pop influence than before. Charli has specifically named Janet Jackson, and the influence is clear with Crash’s mainstream pop sound.
Charli lets us know the tone right away in the very first line, “I’m high-voltage, self-destructive, end it all so legendary,” as she kicks off the explosive title track. In a Spotify video, Charli says the track introduces the themes of sex, power, and self desctruction that can be found throughout the album.
Unfortunately, Crash’s weaknesses are the singles. They can lean a little too heavily into the “sell out pop song” sound, which to her credit, was the sound Charli was going for, but Crash really shines within the songs that were not released prior to the album release date. “Lightning” is a throwback to Charli’s True Romance era with a similar sound and Ariel Rechtshaid returning as producer. “Constant Repeat” is a dreamy love song with “Yuck” being it’s slightly more cynical counterpart. The album’s closer “Twice” is an interesting song about the end of the world, a topic not normally found on dance pop records, but it manages to keep on theme and doesn’t feel out of place.
Crash is a fun and energetic album that highlights a side of Charli’s music we don’t see often. It’s some of her best work, but it wasn’t made for critics. It’s an album with a goal and a vision that is excellently executed, and is sure to get listeners dancing if they are willing to have a good time with it.
Charlie Carey 