Charli XCX Is Recording a New Album During Quarantine, First Single Out Monday

Monday, through a Zoom conference, Charli XCX excitedly announced she would be recording a new album, the follow-up to her 2019 record Charli. Charli previously hinted at the album in several ways. Through the periodic quarantine diary she’s been keeping through Twitter, Charli said she was being encouraged by her frequent producer and collaborator AG Cook to start recording by herself, something she says she hasn’t done “for so many years.” She also noted she planned to “reunite” with Chris from Christine and the Queens on a new song. Often referring to herself as a workaholic, she told fans “I’m going to use this isolation time to make a brand new album from scratch.”

Charli then retweeted a seemingly jokey post from popular Twitter account Charli XCX Updates that appeared as a fake album proposal to Atlantic. The proposal noted brand partnerships with Zoom and Purell, a potential Elon Musk remix and a complete ban on the word “Taxi” (a track from her leaked album XCX World that is often requested at shows).

Charli says she will be recording most of the album “live,” with collaborators coming in and out remotely. She cites it as a very DIY project. The first single is set to release on April 13, with assistance from AG, 100 gecs’ Dylan Brady and BJ Burton (Bon Iver, Lizzo). “In some ways, this will be my most collaborative process,” she said via Zoom. “I want to open up the entire process to all of you, to all of my fans, to anybody who wants to watch. What I mean by that is I’ll be sharing every single step of the way.” She’ll be sharing demos, a capella songs and asking fans their opinions on the minutiae of the album and perhaps even video production. She notes she wants the process to be intimate and an opportunity to engage creatively with her fans.

how i’m feeling now, working title, has a tentative release date for May 15. In the meantime, Charli has frequently been going live on Instagram with several of her friends, such as discussing horoscopes with Orville Peck or taking an “Are You A Psychopath?” quiz with Rina Sawayama. There will be lots of opportunities to interact with Charli in the upcoming weeks. You can also revisit her 2012 Daytrotter session at 2KHz studios below.