A few weeks ago, goth-pop princess (and soon-to-be savior of pop in 2013) Charli XCX released the Super Ultra mixtape, a collection of moody, atmospheric tracks colored with hip-hop and ’80′s electro-pop influences. It’s real good, and real free.
Today, the LDN songstress released the Ryan Andrews-directed clip for “Cloud Aura,” the trippy, J£ZUS MILLION-produced lead track from the mixtape (which, on a slight side note, seriously reminds me of Fagottron‘s ridiculously amazing Disney re-fixes.) The song features some spitfire verses from e-rapper/stripper Brooke Candy, who also appears in the video (and who you might already recognize from Grimes‘ insane “Genesis” video.)
Question: Has Charli XCX ever released anything that has contained flaw?
Answer: No, actually. She has quite literally never.
Case in point: The brand new video for “You’re The One,” which sees the LDN-bred goth-pop princess twirling and thrashing about in a dark abandoned garage surrounded by laser-headed demon children–all while rocking ripped leggings, frilly dresses and platform Buffalo boots. Why? Because obviously, that’s why.
UGH, she’s so cool! And I know that calling her “cool” is sort of, like, the most un-cool way to describe anyone unless you’re Godney–but she is! She’s just really so fucking cool!
If you’ve not yet incorporated the You’re The One EP, as well as the Heartbreaks & Earthquakes mixtape (review!) into your daily playlists, then I’m sorry for your whole entire life, because you’re truly missing out.
And while we’re at it, you’re going to need to pick up the new Youthquake issue of V Magazine, featuring Miss Charli (and Sky Ferreira! and Grimes!) on the cover. Know who interviews her? Geri Halliwell. Yeah, um. I know. Run and get it now.
The You’re The One EP was released on June 12. (iTunes)
GULP.
Oh, this? It’s just Sky Ferreira, Charli XCX and Grimes–wearing Givenchy by Riccardo Tisci and serving high fashion goth-pop sorceress realness–on the cover of the upcoming Youthquake Issue of V Magazine this month.
This is the greatest thing I’ve ever seen, basically. I’m completely overwhelmed.
It’s a Charli XCX Christmas!
After unleashing one of my favorite records of 2011–”Stay Away”–as well as the bouncy, ’80′s-inspired “Nuclear Seasons,” goth-pop princess/London-bred songstress Charli XCX (check the “Introduucing…” from last year if you’re still unfamiliar!) makes her official US debut with You’re The One, her debut US EP.
The 4-track collection includes two original songs: “Nuclear Seasons,” which was released back in November, and “You’re The One,” the latest addition to Charli’s arsenal.
As soon as the EP begins, the title track comes tearing into the speakers with a blaring, mammoth-sized synthesized beat (which brings The Knife‘s “Heartbeats” to mind.) As aggressive as the production feels (courtesy of Ariel Rechtshaid, who also crafted “Nuclear Seasons” and “Stay Away”), there’s nothing but swoonage falling from Charli’s lips: “You’re the one that can make me stay/You’re the only one that makes me feel this way,” she cries. As per usual in Charli land, there’s plenty of ruddy romanticism to boot: “You’re the one that’s been stealing stars/Your golden arrow went through my heart.” Oh, l’amour!
There’s also two remixes included: The Blood Orange mix of “You’re The One,” which smooths out the heavy original into an eerie, echoing production with a tripping, urban beat (and some major xylophone work), and the Balam Acab mix of “Nuclear Seasons,” a truly heaven-sent reworking of the bouncy original. Both remixes are excellent examples of remixes that actually re-work their original blueprints and turn them into entirely new productions–they certainly shouldn’t be overlooked.
And just in case you were itching for more Charli after the EP, fear not: The songstress also just released a free 21-minute mixtape on her website called Heartbreaks & Earthquakes, which is all shades of brilliant. The collection includes 8 (!) original songs: Prepare for yelps echoing in the distance, trip-hop rapping, dark, spacey synthesizers, oh–and samples of Kill Bill and The Craft. (Yes, really!)
Between the snarling lyricism, moodier synthesizers, dramatic vocal acrobatics, and a plethora of power-pop melodies built in to keep the songs swimming in your brain for nights on end, Charli’s releases provide a strong case for sitting up and paying attention if you aren’t already: The end result is a strange, wonderfully experimental cross between Marilyn Manson, Marina + The Diamonds, The Weeknd and Gwen Stefani.
She’s dark, she’s different, and she’s bound to obliterate once her debut drops.
You’re The One EP was released on June 12. (iTunes)
To help ring in London Fashion Week, rising goth-pop chanteuse Charli XCX stopped by Red Bull Studios as a part of Red Bull’s Catwalk Studio project to record a new song for eclectic accessories designer Fred Butler‘s collection.
Far from the hulking industrial sound of “Stay Away” or the ’80′s sheen of “Nuclear Seasons,” “I’ll Never Know” finds Charli getting positively cutesy above xylophones, maracas and an instantly infectious tropical beat: “I’ll build a rocket and I’ll fly to space/Just so I could touch your picture perfect face,” Charli dreamily swoons.
“What if I see you alone on the pavement? Will my heart freeze? Will the sun melt down my bones?” she later ponders.
Err, okay…cutesy Charli style, anyway. J’adore!
For more on Charli, head over to Red Bull to see a mini-interview with the LDN enfant terrible.
“Nuclear Seasons” was released on November 20 in the UK. (iTunes UK)
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