Music Review: Charli xcx remains one of pop's great contrarians on 'Music, Fashion, Film'

Charli xcx’s new album “Music, Fashion, Film” leans into fame-and-ego themes through genre-averse instrumentation and a collaborative setup with producers A.G. Cook and Finn Keane. The review frames the project as a continuation of the uncertainty sparked by the first single “Rock Music,” which initially drew questions about whether she was trolling or being sincere. Across 11 songs, the record stays playful but pointed—winking rock ’n’ roll textures and spoken-word sections that recall the moodiness of the Velvet Underground. Tracks such as “Card Declined,” “2007,” and “Magic Metal Montana” highlight shifts in tempo, alternative tunings and post-rock influence, while the album also includes changes to production dynamics compared with her 2024 electro album “BRAT.”