October 18, 2023 • 10 mins
Charli XCX Talks New Upcoming Album, Making Songs for Movies, Challenging Herself & More!
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:00):
It's the new hit list on Iheartradyon My Angelina with the One and Only
Charlie XX. How good, I'mgood? Yeah? How are you?
I'm doing good? I still havea Crash on repeat? Oh cool?
Thank you? Like to me,it was like a perfect pop album.
I feel like a little like morediverse, which I feel like it is
(00:20):
saying a lot for you, andI just feel like you've grown a lot
in this line now that it's likebeen out and you know everyone's been able
to sit with it. How doyou think this album has like changed your
artistry and like how you see yourselfin pop music? Well, I was
really kind of trying to make musicthat is a little out of my comfort
(00:42):
zone with Crash. I feel likenormally I lean towards things that are like
slightly more experimental, and Crash waskind of like an album where I was
really trying to like be the mostsort of classic that I've been and you
know, really like play the game. I suppose you know, I've been
signed to a major label since Iwas like sixteen, but I've never really
(01:06):
like made you know, like amajor label album in a major label way.
So this was kind of like mysort of concept album I suppose,
but I think to most people peoplewere just like, oh, it's a
part record, which is great.So yeah, I think with me,
I always work in like drastic opposites, so the next record will sound very
(01:27):
different from Crash. But yeah,I love I love that record and I
had so much fun touring it andbringing the songs to life. Yeah.
No, I mean I feel likethat's something I could tell with you too.
I feel like you're like, everyrelease, you'll make it harder and
harder to put you at a bugsreally yeah, right, I can tell
that you work towards that, andI always wonder like, how do you
(01:49):
maintain that space, Like if you'relike constantly pushing your creative limits, Like,
how do you also stay true toyourself like always doing that? You
know what I mean? Yeah,I mean I think that just working like
that is very true to who Iam. You know. I think I
wouldn't be doing this if I didn'tfeel inspired. And for me to feel
inspired, I need to be challengingmyself to do something new, and I'm
(02:12):
not kind of repeating the things thatI've done before. I have a very
like messy, like sporadic brain,so it takes me in like a lot
of different places, so I kindof just have to like go with it,
and you know, I think aboutit all afterwards. I think,
no for sure, and like,I love that you said that that's how
you saw the album crash in general, just because exactly like pop can means
(02:34):
so many things, and I feellike you're the perfect artist. Like that
really shows that, Like you know, you were on the hyper pop before
a lot of people. I feellike not everyone's doing hyper pop, you
know what I mean, and likefor you to be like, well,
now I'm going to do this soundin this album. So I'm definitely excited
to hear what this next album's goingto sound like. I was stuck in
your Instagram the Club Classics. Iplayed that like snippet on repeat. Oh
(02:54):
cool, So what else can fansexpect on this? I know you're like
an album mode. Yeah, I'mstill very much in the kind of process,
you know, but I think it'sprobably going to be just like my
most gossipy album. Yeah. That'skind of all I can really say right
now because I'm still very much makingit. But I'm having a lot of
(03:16):
fun pushing myself to tell uncomfortable stories. Wow, okay, I'm really excited
for that. So you were partof creating the score for Bottoms. Yes,
yeah, how did that come ofthat? And like, what was
that experience like for you? Ithink that's so dope. Yeah, it
was really cool. So I've knownRachel Senner, who is one of the
(03:38):
lead actors in the Mad for awhile and I was a really big fan
of the movie that she made withthe director Emma before, this movie called
Shiver Baby. And I loved thisfilm and I loved their work together.
And they let me know that theywere making Bottoms, and I kind of
(04:00):
was just like, would you wantme to make some music for it.
We just had a conversation about it, and they were like, yes,
we would love that. So wekind of just got talking and you know,
the collaboration came about. But Ireally love their work, and I
love the fact that, you know, I was involved in this film with
such incredible, like inspirational girls,you know, and the movie itself,
(04:26):
the tone is so unique and intricate, and it was really an awesome experience
making music for that movie. No, that's really cool. I mean,
you've been like in a little moviebag right now. We got speed Driving
on my show. I love therecord. I love the concert car theme.
(04:46):
I know, I know, imagineif I couldn't drive. Everyone likes
to think that maybe I can't.I can. I'm not a great driver,
as you could probably tell from thekind of songs that I make about
driving. I'm a terrible driver too. Okay, great, great, I
mean that one's died, right,But I love that. What is it
for you that like always wanting tosay on that thing? I don't know.
(05:10):
I just really love listening to musicin cars, and I feel like
being in a car, like drivingfast listening to music, it just makes
you feel like you're in a movieor something. It's where I listen to
a lot of music, and yeah, I don't know, there's just something
that makes me feel cool about likebeing in a car with the windows down.
So I when you know, Igot asked to make a song for
(05:32):
the Barbie film. You know,I was lucky enough to get to see
like quite a few of the scenesthat they had already shot, and I
saw the driving scene and I waslike, oh, this this has got
me written all over it. Sothat's kind of how it came about.
Oh that's so cool, and Imean exactly, like seeing like the success
(05:55):
of Barbie, were you kind ofI don't know, like what were your
intentions going into it? You know, because I feel like when you hear
Barbie, at least at the beginning, like, obviously I love the movie.
I laugh, I cried it wasit. I love it. I
can't wait for it to be onstreaming because I watch it every night.
But I guess when it first cameout, everyone's like, this could be
bad, you know, like,how are they going to do this Barbie
movie? So how what was yourlike react? I guess when you first
(06:15):
got reached out about it, yeah, I mean I'm right there with you.
I was like, oh, thiscould be really bad. It's a
hard story to tell now, andyou know, this day and age,
you know, I think that peopleare waiting for you to like trip and
full and kind of telling the storyof Barbie as a feminist icon needs to
(06:36):
have like some humor because obviously she'slike a hot blonde babe, you know,
and that's kind of what the publicknow her for. So I think,
you know, Greta the director,she's just so smart and I think
she really knows how to work withhumor, and I think like the depth
(06:58):
of research and kind of like historicalaccuracy around like the story of Barbie,
and like all these like small littlereferences that were in the movie. I
think really like made it so specialand kind of like, yeah, it's
a very self aware movie. AndI think she did an incredible job and
(07:23):
I don't think anyone else would havereally done it like her. So yeah,
I think they made something pretty yeah, pretty special, and it was
it was so cool to be apart of it. Yeah, No,
it was icon Again. I'm sohappy you were able to be part of
like such a phenomenal soundtrack. Ialways joke that I'm waiting for the next
(07:45):
minute of speed Drive to come outthere. I know it's a shot song.
I said, Hey, you knowwhat, let's just not like two
minutes. Why would I? Whywould I? We've got things to do.
But you know what it makes,you have it on repeat, better
streaming numbers. I'd be like,oh, now I gotta be started because
it's already over. Yeah. Ijust hit it twice, play it twice
(08:09):
back to back. No, I'mjust I'm so excited for you. I
can't wait for this new album.What is next for you? What else
do you have on your plate?My god, I don't even know running
I've been running around everywhere. SoI think just kind of writing and you
know, finishing the record. AndI like to like party a lot whilst
I'm like making a record because thenI get like good stories, so a
(08:35):
lot of partying. There you go. I love that sip. This is
the last one. I don't wantto go back to Crash, but I
feel like I've been having it onrepeat for this whole year now, and
I always change, like what myfavorite song is? What is your favorite
song on this album? But youknow, it's funny. It's like once
I release an album, I rarelylike listen to it. So I haven't
(08:56):
listened to Crash for a long time, like it's since it came out.
But I think one of my favoritesongs on the record is a song called
Constant Repeat. I just feel likethe kind of atmosphere that's created in that
song is is really beautiful and mysteriousand also for euphoric. So that's a
(09:16):
song that I would probably revisit quitea lot. Okay, Well, I'm
so excited for you, and Ican't wait to listen to this new album.
Do we kind of know when it'sgoing to be released or can we
like I don't know, like someone day of next year. Okay,
next year, that's a hot exclusivesome one day one day day, but
(09:41):
maybe next years likely next year,okay, I'll take that. Well,
someone I've taken out with you,I can't wait to talk to you again.
You too nice to meet you,all right? I have got your
top down tires on file? Whoare you living my life? See you
look him with the side. Iwas so jealous because I'm one of the
(10:03):
time when you can think about meand jeous. It's a real deeficult because
it's enough. I already love overthere, already done.
It's the new hit list on Iheartradyon My Angelina with the One and Only
Charlie XX. How good, I'mgood? Yeah? How are you?
I'm doing good? I still havea Crash on repeat? Oh cool?
Thank you? Like to me,it was like a perfect pop album.
I feel like a little like morediverse, which I feel like it is
(00:20):
saying a lot for you, andI just feel like you've grown a lot
in this line now that it's likebeen out and you know everyone's been able
to sit with it. How doyou think this album has like changed your
artistry and like how you see yourselfin pop music? Well, I was
really kind of trying to make musicthat is a little out of my comfort
(00:42):
zone with Crash. I feel likenormally I lean towards things that are like
slightly more experimental, and Crash waskind of like an album where I was
really trying to like be the mostsort of classic that I've been and you
know, really like play the game. I suppose you know, I've been
signed to a major label since Iwas like sixteen, but I've never really
(01:06):
like made you know, like amajor label album in a major label way.
So this was kind of like mysort of concept album I suppose,
but I think to most people peoplewere just like, oh, it's a
part record, which is great.So yeah, I think with me,
I always work in like drastic opposites, so the next record will sound very
(01:27):
different from Crash. But yeah,I love I love that record and I
had so much fun touring it andbringing the songs to life. Yeah.
No, I mean I feel likethat's something I could tell with you too.
I feel like you're like, everyrelease, you'll make it harder and
harder to put you at a bugsreally yeah, right, I can tell
that you work towards that, andI always wonder like, how do you
(01:49):
maintain that space, Like if you'relike constantly pushing your creative limits, Like,
how do you also stay true toyourself like always doing that? You
know what I mean? Yeah,I mean I think that just working like
that is very true to who Iam. You know. I think I
wouldn't be doing this if I didn'tfeel inspired. And for me to feel
inspired, I need to be challengingmyself to do something new, and I'm
(02:12):
not kind of repeating the things thatI've done before. I have a very
like messy, like sporadic brain,so it takes me in like a lot
of different places, so I kindof just have to like go with it,
and you know, I think aboutit all afterwards. I think,
no for sure, and like,I love that you said that that's how
you saw the album crash in general, just because exactly like pop can means
(02:34):
so many things, and I feellike you're the perfect artist. Like that
really shows that, Like you know, you were on the hyper pop before
a lot of people. I feellike not everyone's doing hyper pop, you
know what I mean, and likefor you to be like, well,
now I'm going to do this soundin this album. So I'm definitely excited
to hear what this next album's goingto sound like. I was stuck in
your Instagram the Club Classics. Iplayed that like snippet on repeat. Oh
(02:54):
cool, So what else can fansexpect on this? I know you're like
an album mode. Yeah, I'mstill very much in the kind of process,
you know, but I think it'sprobably going to be just like my
most gossipy album. Yeah. That'skind of all I can really say right
now because I'm still very much makingit. But I'm having a lot of
(03:16):
fun pushing myself to tell uncomfortable stories. Wow, okay, I'm really excited
for that. So you were partof creating the score for Bottoms. Yes,
yeah, how did that come ofthat? And like, what was
that experience like for you? Ithink that's so dope. Yeah, it
was really cool. So I've knownRachel Senner, who is one of the
(03:38):
lead actors in the Mad for awhile and I was a really big fan
of the movie that she made withthe director Emma before, this movie called
Shiver Baby. And I loved thisfilm and I loved their work together.
And they let me know that theywere making Bottoms, and I kind of
(04:00):
was just like, would you wantme to make some music for it.
We just had a conversation about it, and they were like, yes,
we would love that. So wekind of just got talking and you know,
the collaboration came about. But Ireally love their work, and I
love the fact that, you know, I was involved in this film with
such incredible, like inspirational girls,you know, and the movie itself,
(04:26):
the tone is so unique and intricate, and it was really an awesome experience
making music for that movie. No, that's really cool. I mean,
you've been like in a little moviebag right now. We got speed Driving
on my show. I love therecord. I love the concert car theme.
(04:46):
I know, I know, imagineif I couldn't drive. Everyone likes
to think that maybe I can't.I can. I'm not a great driver,
as you could probably tell from thekind of songs that I make about
driving. I'm a terrible driver too. Okay, great, great, I
mean that one's died, right,But I love that. What is it
for you that like always wanting tosay on that thing? I don't know.
(05:10):
I just really love listening to musicin cars, and I feel like
being in a car, like drivingfast listening to music, it just makes
you feel like you're in a movieor something. It's where I listen to
a lot of music, and yeah, I don't know, there's just something
that makes me feel cool about likebeing in a car with the windows down.
So I when you know, Igot asked to make a song for
(05:32):
the Barbie film. You know,I was lucky enough to get to see
like quite a few of the scenesthat they had already shot, and I
saw the driving scene and I waslike, oh, this this has got
me written all over it. Sothat's kind of how it came about.
Oh that's so cool, and Imean exactly, like seeing like the success
(05:55):
of Barbie, were you kind ofI don't know, like what were your
intentions going into it? You know, because I feel like when you hear
Barbie, at least at the beginning, like, obviously I love the movie.
I laugh, I cried it wasit. I love it. I
can't wait for it to be onstreaming because I watch it every night.
But I guess when it first cameout, everyone's like, this could be
bad, you know, like,how are they going to do this Barbie
movie? So how what was yourlike react? I guess when you first
(06:15):
got reached out about it, yeah, I mean I'm right there with you.
I was like, oh, thiscould be really bad. It's a
hard story to tell now, andyou know, this day and age,
you know, I think that peopleare waiting for you to like trip and
full and kind of telling the storyof Barbie as a feminist icon needs to
(06:36):
have like some humor because obviously she'slike a hot blonde babe, you know,
and that's kind of what the publicknow her for. So I think,
you know, Greta the director,she's just so smart and I think
she really knows how to work withhumor, and I think like the depth
(06:58):
of research and kind of like historicalaccuracy around like the story of Barbie,
and like all these like small littlereferences that were in the movie. I
think really like made it so specialand kind of like, yeah, it's
a very self aware movie. AndI think she did an incredible job and
(07:23):
I don't think anyone else would havereally done it like her. So yeah,
I think they made something pretty yeah, pretty special, and it was
it was so cool to be apart of it. Yeah, No,
it was icon Again. I'm sohappy you were able to be part of
like such a phenomenal soundtrack. Ialways joke that I'm waiting for the next
(07:45):
minute of speed Drive to come outthere. I know it's a shot song.
I said, Hey, you knowwhat, let's just not like two
minutes. Why would I? Whywould I? We've got things to do.
But you know what it makes,you have it on repeat, better
streaming numbers. I'd be like,oh, now I gotta be started because
it's already over. Yeah. Ijust hit it twice, play it twice
(08:09):
back to back. No, I'mjust I'm so excited for you. I
can't wait for this new album.What is next for you? What else
do you have on your plate?My god, I don't even know running
I've been running around everywhere. SoI think just kind of writing and you
know, finishing the record. AndI like to like party a lot whilst
I'm like making a record because thenI get like good stories, so a
(08:35):
lot of partying. There you go. I love that sip. This is
the last one. I don't wantto go back to Crash, but I
feel like I've been having it onrepeat for this whole year now, and
I always change, like what myfavorite song is? What is your favorite
song on this album? But youknow, it's funny. It's like once
I release an album, I rarelylike listen to it. So I haven't
(08:56):
listened to Crash for a long time, like it's since it came out.
But I think one of my favoritesongs on the record is a song called
Constant Repeat. I just feel likethe kind of atmosphere that's created in that
song is is really beautiful and mysteriousand also for euphoric. So that's a
(09:16):
song that I would probably revisit quitea lot. Okay, Well, I'm
so excited for you, and Ican't wait to listen to this new album.
Do we kind of know when it'sgoing to be released or can we
like I don't know, like someone day of next year. Okay,
next year, that's a hot exclusivesome one day one day day, but
(09:41):
maybe next years likely next year,okay, I'll take that. Well,
someone I've taken out with you,I can't wait to talk to you again.
You too nice to meet you,all right? I have got your
top down tires on file? Whoare you living my life? See you
look him with the side. Iwas so jealous because I'm one of the
(10:03):
time when you can think about meand jeous. It's a real deeficult because
it's enough. I already love overthere, already done.
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