‘Music, Fashion, Film’ - What we know about Charli xcx’s upcoming album
Charli xcx recently announced her new album, Music, Fashion, Film, her follow-up album to her iconic BRAT album, which was released in 2024.
The rollout of her new album has polarised her fanbase with many mixed reactions.
Some fans have stated how her newly released songs feel as though she is tapping back into her old style of musical experimentation before the release of BRAT, while others are more displeased with her new music.
Music News Blitz writer Tyler Lai Sai gives her thoughts.
Album cover
On the cover of the album, there are three men. Each represents a different aspect of the album title.
John Cale, representing ‘Music’ is the co-founder of The Velvet Underground and an iconic musician.
Marc Jacobs, representing ‘Fashion’ is a world-renowned fashion designer known for his fragrance collection and trendy everyday accessories.
He also famously commercialised the 1990s grunge movement in his Spring 1993 Perry Ellis grunge collection.
Lastly, the last man is the iconic Martin Scorsese, representing ‘Film’, who is the Academy Award-winning film director.
His work includes The Wolf of Wall Street, Goodfellas, Shutter Island and many more.
All of these men have made significant cultural impacts in their respective fields, which is why Charli has them for her cover.
The album cover has caused significant discourse among fans. Many did not actually know who the men on the cover were, with one comment on X stating, “Who are these old men?”
Others were shocked about how she managed to have all three men on her album cover and were thoroughly impressed.
‘Rock Music’ and ‘SS26’
In light of the upcoming album, Charli xcx has released two songs that are featured on the album, ‘Rock Music’ and ‘SS26.’
Both songs have been met with mixed reviews by listeners as they differ from her previous work on BRAT.
Some fans praised Charli for experimenting with different sounds and techniques in ‘Rock Music,’ while others commented on how her lyricism is lazy compared to her previous work.
This was countered by fans, stating that she purposefully wrote the song with semi-lazy lyrics as a satirical commentary on rock music culture.
‘SS26’ had slightly better reviews than ‘Rock Music’. Fans had praised the song's themes surrounding the internet’s cancel culture, the downside of fame, with nihilistic overtones throughout the song.
Although there were still many mixed reviews, with some listeners stating how the song feels ‘underbaked’ and how the song feels empty in certain verses, with an abrasive contrast in other verses that just does not work, some critics called it boring compared to her previous music.
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Upcoming tour dates
On June 8, Charli xcx announced her North American tour for the album, with tickets going on sale on Friday, June 12.
Her upcoming tour dates for the UK are yet to be announced, but the singer has assured fans that the dates will be out soon.
Charli’s commentary
Charli had made an announcement on TikTok at the end of May 2026, stating that her new album is ‘completely different’ to BRAT.
She further stated that some listeners may not enjoy it as much as her previous album, but still, she is proud of her work and understands that this album may not live up to fans’ expectations.
Charli xcx’s BRAT was a huge global cultural phenomenon that sparked conversations around female empowerment and authentic living.
It redefined how people viewed the word BRAT, from spoiled and ungrateful to an aesthetic of confidence, boldness and defiance.
Charli has stated that her new album does not intend to be a follow-up to BRAT but rather something completely different.
Critics have stated that if ‘Rock Music’ and ‘SS26’ are reflections of this new album, it won’t receive the same attention or praise that BRAT received.
Although the singer mentioned on TikTok that if fans do not like the new album, it is “totally okay.”
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