ArtistDirect News
Charli XCX Unveils Seventh Studio Album Music, Fashion, Film on July 24, 2026
On Friday, July 24, 2026, Charli XCX released her seventh studio album, Music, Fashion, Film. The 33‑year‑old British pop star follows her 2024 hyperpop‑led record Brat with a more subdued, self‑referential collection that probes the pressures of global stardom and the yearning for artistic immortality.
The album contains 11 tracks that fuse electronic production with guitar riffs, punctuated by Charli’s signature deadpan lyricism. Its cover—a stark black‑and‑white vinyl photograph—eschews the singer’s own image in favor of three cultural icons that anchor the record’s themes: Velvet Underground guitarist John Cale, fashion designer Marc Jacobs, and filmmaker Martin Scorsese.
A standout moment arrives on the closing track, “No One Lasts Forever,” where Canadian director David Cronenberg delivers a spoken‑word interlude. Cronenberg reflects on art’s longevity: “Yes, some artists have created art that has really survived thousands of years. But experientially, for them, they are dead, they are gone. They are not experiencing that.” The collaboration nods to Cronenberg’s influence on Charli’s 2022 album Crash, inspired by his cult film of the same name.
The lead single, “Camera,” was promoted with a music video starring French actor Vincent Cassel—an actor who had previously worked with Cronenberg. Cassel’s appearance reinforces the album’s cross‑media aesthetic.
Since wrapping the Brat tour, Charli has broadened her artistic footprint into film. She wrote the soundtrack for Emerald Fennell’s adaptation of Wuthering Heights and has taken on supporting roles in projects such as Erupcja (2025), I Want Your Sex (2026), 100 Nights of Hero (2025), Faces of Death (2026), and Sacrifice (2025). She also co‑produced and starred in the mockumentary The Moment (2026), portraying herself as she confronts music‑industry executives to shed the “brat” persona that defined her earlier work.
Critics greeted the new album with enthusiasm. The Guardian awarded it five stars, calling it “gorgeously astute and disarmingly deep.” Billboard described the record as a “fascinating, addictive” addition to Charli’s evolving catalog, noting its introspective tone and departure from the club‑ready sound of Brat.
Music, Fashion, Film fits into a trajectory that began with Charli’s debut True Romance (2013) and continued through Sucker (2014), Charli (2019), How I’m Feeling Now (2020), Crash (2022), and Brat (2024). The latest release underscores her relentless experimentation across genres and media while cementing her status as a cross‑disciplinary artist.
With its July 24 launch, the album positions Charli XCX at the crossroads of contemporary pop, fashion, and cinema, offering a reflective look at the challenges of staying relevant in a rapidly evolving cultural landscape.
The album contains 11 tracks that fuse electronic production with guitar riffs, punctuated by Charli’s signature deadpan lyricism. Its cover—a stark black‑and‑white vinyl photograph—eschews the singer’s own image in favor of three cultural icons that anchor the record’s themes: Velvet Underground guitarist John Cale, fashion designer Marc Jacobs, and filmmaker Martin Scorsese.
A standout moment arrives on the closing track, “No One Lasts Forever,” where Canadian director David Cronenberg delivers a spoken‑word interlude. Cronenberg reflects on art’s longevity: “Yes, some artists have created art that has really survived thousands of years. But experientially, for them, they are dead, they are gone. They are not experiencing that.” The collaboration nods to Cronenberg’s influence on Charli’s 2022 album Crash, inspired by his cult film of the same name.
The lead single, “Camera,” was promoted with a music video starring French actor Vincent Cassel—an actor who had previously worked with Cronenberg. Cassel’s appearance reinforces the album’s cross‑media aesthetic.
Since wrapping the Brat tour, Charli has broadened her artistic footprint into film. She wrote the soundtrack for Emerald Fennell’s adaptation of Wuthering Heights and has taken on supporting roles in projects such as Erupcja (2025), I Want Your Sex (2026), 100 Nights of Hero (2025), Faces of Death (2026), and Sacrifice (2025). She also co‑produced and starred in the mockumentary The Moment (2026), portraying herself as she confronts music‑industry executives to shed the “brat” persona that defined her earlier work.
Critics greeted the new album with enthusiasm. The Guardian awarded it five stars, calling it “gorgeously astute and disarmingly deep.” Billboard described the record as a “fascinating, addictive” addition to Charli’s evolving catalog, noting its introspective tone and departure from the club‑ready sound of Brat.
Music, Fashion, Film fits into a trajectory that began with Charli’s debut True Romance (2013) and continued through Sucker (2014), Charli (2019), How I’m Feeling Now (2020), Crash (2022), and Brat (2024). The latest release underscores her relentless experimentation across genres and media while cementing her status as a cross‑disciplinary artist.
With its July 24 launch, the album positions Charli XCX at the crossroads of contemporary pop, fashion, and cinema, offering a reflective look at the challenges of staying relevant in a rapidly evolving cultural landscape.