Music, Fashion, Film Tries New Things, but Fails to Hit the Mark

By Brooke Herczeg

Following the success of BRAT, Charli XCX’s new album Music, Fashion, Film was always going to have a lot to live up to. While her decision to collaborate with legendary body-horror director David Cronenberg had me super hyped for a weird, dark addition to the track list, the album struggles to pull off its bold ideas. The result is certainly interesting, but it doesn’t quite hit the mark.

Charli XCX has never been afraid of abrasive, unpolished sounds, but this time around, some of the production choices lean a bit too far into harsh experimentation. The first three tracks feel a little sluggish, featuring repetitive lyrics that seem like they’re trying to recreate the shock value of her previous era. On “Card Declined,” you have to push through three minutes of harsh, screeching static before it picks up into a catchy finish. “Camera” has a similar roadblock, with a repetitive beat that feels a bit hard to digest. Without the infectious tunes or catchy rhythms of her older work, a lot of the unpolished production comes off as more jarring than cool.

That said, there are definitely few moments where things actually work. “Persona” is easily the highlight-the moody guitar reverb gives it a great vibe, and the lyrics are genuinely intriguing even with a simpler tune. “Wink Wink” is a fun, catchy summer song that gives you a much-needed break from the noise, and Cronenberg’s mid song monologue on “No One Lasts Forever” is a cool touch, even if it doesn’t add a whole lot to the overall record.

Charli has always been known for short, chaotic tracks, but the simpler melodies and repetitive choices here make the brief runtime feel a tad bit lackluster. If you’re already a huge fan, you’ll probably find a couple of tracks to save to your playlist. But if you’re a new listener jumping in off the recent hype, this heavy wall of sound might drive you away before you ever really get into it.