You may not know Charli XCX by name, but you’ve definitely heard her songs on the radio. She’s the hook singer of Iggy Azalea’s “Fancy.” Her duet with Icona Pop for “I Love It” was very popular. Charli’s new song, “Boom Clap” (see video here) is climbing the charts after appearing on The Fault in our Stars soundtrack. She’s a decent pop singer. Some people compare her to early Madonna, but she reminds me more of a solo Gwen Stefani.
“Fancy” is still everywhere. Journalists lament its status as the Song of Summer, which is interesting. If you look at the past two songs of summer — “Blurred Lines” (2013) and “Call Me Maybe” (2012) — I don’t see why any artist would want that title. It’s almost a bad omen. Carly Rae Jepsen hasn’t had any new hit singles. No one likes Robin Thicke anymore, which may be because his new music sucks and he’s a terrible person. Charli believes she’s here to stay:
On “Boom Clap”: “Having a hit would be cool but my goal isn’t to be No 1. I don’t care if I sell one copy or millions. I just want to be written about in 50 years time as someone who helped make pop cooler than it is now.”
On her upcoming album: “I want to f— up the music industry, not make it a prettier place. I’m a fan of Britney Spears and the Spice Girls, so my heart lies in pop but I want to do it my way.”
“Boom Clap” is a love song: “Bill Murray and Larry David are my dream guys. They’re the kind of men that make my heart go boom clap.”
She digs Iggy: “Iggy is incredible to work with, as she thinks about everything in such exquisite detail.”
[From Daily Star]
Charli drips confidence. She recently told NME that she was done with duets: “I can write a f—ing hit song. And I’m going to write some for me now.” She added, “I’m not making a hipster record that’s very cool and sounds like it was made at the beach.” The part about hipsters is funny, and I can’t hate on anyone who professes their love of Bill Murray.
I hope Charli is being careful with her money. She’s been on the pop scene in England for a few years, and “Fancy” made her explode. None of that is a guarantee for future success. I recall Carly Rae predicting her own enduring success a few years ago too.
Photos courtesy of WENN
”Boom Clap” is literally the most generic pop song ever. Keep dreaming, Charlie. Has anyone noticed that denouncing hipsters have become the new hipster-thing among hipsters?
Hipsters have always denounced hipsters and acted offended if you call them a hipster.
It’s practically a prerequisite, I know, I’m from Portland. 😶
LOL for the Portland comment.
So funny about the hipster thing. She actually looks like a hipster Wednesday Addams.
+1
HAHAHAHA, perfect!
Um who is she..?
Someone no one will be talking about in 50 years.
I can’t knock her for having confidence but, it probably wasn’t advisable to say that. If she fades off the scene it’s embarrassing and even if she endures it looks egotistical; it’s a lose-lose situation. Imo she was the worst part of fancy and I usually skip over her verse. Iggy is problematic but Fancy is a bop. I listened to a song or two of charli’s a while ago and I can’t for the life of me remember a single detail, which doesn’t bode well. She was lucky to get featured on Fancy.
I love her voice… it reminds me of a pop star from the 80s & 90s. Like a mix between Roxette and Jennifer Paige.
In her defense, she pretty much made “Fancy”. The chorus is the best part.
I don’t even know who she is now.
Who?
LOL at the “who?” comments. She may not be that well known, but she’s talented. I’m so glad she’s breaking through. True Romance is a great pop album.
Her song from the TFIOS soundtrack is one of the few that stuck to me. I think she seems good with hooks and chorus from the songs I’ve heard but the verses are meh.
I’m not a pop fan but I can appreciate a good pop song. This is not a good pop song.
Tried to get into her and couldn’t. Both she and Iggy sound terrible live. Good luck to them.
Bitch is a hipster and not pretty to boot, so good luck with that.
Her voice reminds me of Gwen Stefani. But she lacks her charisma. So you’ve got a ways to go, Charli…
Gwen is an amazing performer but her later success was due to the initial success of No Doubt. Tragic Kingdom is one of the most amazing albums I have ever listened to, practically every song sticks in my head. Being integral to the success of that group, years of effort, launched Gwen into her successful solo career, I doubt just any pop star can replicate that. Pop stars are often one hit wonders, and the airwaves are littered with talent that never gets any recognition. It’s great that this girl’s career is going well but she’s getting ahead of herself imagining she’s going to have some kind of lasting impact on the music scene.
+1
Never heard of her. Clicked the link. Um yeah, nobody is going to know who you are 50 months from now let alone 50 years.
Can someone clarify for me how her name is supposed to be pronounced? I read it as “Charlie excess”, is that correct?
Uhhh I thought it was just X-C-X like, the letters.
Oh honey…..” I don’t care if I sell one copy or millions. I just want to be written about in 50 years time as someone who helped make pop cooler than it is now.” … How are you going to be written about in 50 years as someone who helped make pop cooler, if you only sell one copy?