Charli XCX has opened up about her journey toward artistic self-discovery, admitting she struggled to find her place in the music industry until the release of her 2024 album “Brat”. In a candid interview with Vanity Fair, the singer, Charli XCX, shared how creating the album on her own terms helped her finally feel musically and personally aligned.
Charli XCX wondered whether she was supposed to be ‘underground left artist’ or ‘commercial package’
Charli XCX has opened up about the internal conflict she faced throughout her career, revealing that she often questioned where she truly belonged in the music industry. In a recent interview with Vanity Fair, the singer spoke candidly about struggling to decide whether to lean into her underground roots or embrace a more mainstream image.
“I have always just wanted to make music on my own terms and have people listen,” she explained, adding that her goal was never about becoming the biggest pop star in the world.
Reflecting on her journey, Charli admitted that she often felt out of place, saying she grappled with whether she was meant to be ‘this underground left artist’ or a ‘commercial package’. According to her, it wasn’t until her 2024 album “Brat” that she stopped fighting with herself about her identity and embraced her creative instincts fully.
She shared that while making “Brat”, she decided to pursue her artistic vision without compromise, even if it meant facing potential consequences. “I was okay with what might happen, even if no one heard the album or I got dropped by my label,” she said.
“Brat”, which arrived two years after her 2022 record “Crash”, marked a creative turning point. While “Crash” was described by Charli as her “major label sell-out” album, trading her signature hyper-pop sound for a more polished dance-pop approach, “Brat” saw her return to the club-oriented aesthetic.
Upon its release, “Brat” received a four-star review from NME, praised for its confident and vulnerable dive into club music.
