Charli XCX discussed her listening habits and the direction of her upcoming music in a Rolling Stone cover story [1].

The interview provides insight into how the artist views her evolving sound and the relationship she maintains with her previous work. As she prepares for her eighth studio album [2], these reflections highlight the shift in her creative process.

Speaking at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery in Los Angeles, the singer addressed the albums she continues to revisit [3]. She said, "I listen a lot to 'True Romance,' I listen a lot to 'Pop 2.'" [4]

While some of her earlier projects remain in her rotation, the artist noted that she does not currently spend much time with her most recent release. "I don't listen to 'Brat' a lot at the minute because it's so recent to me," she said [4].

Charli XCX also addressed misconceptions regarding her forthcoming project, titled "Music, Fashion, Film." Despite some reports suggesting a shift in genre, she clarified the nature of the record. "Music, Fashion, Film is not a rock record," she said [5].

The interview was conducted in early May 2024, two days before the Met Gala [6]. The resulting cover story was published in the July/August 2024 issue of Rolling Stone [7].

Throughout the conversation, the artist reflected on her personal catalog to set the stage for her next musical era. By distancing the new project from the rock genre, she manages expectations for the sonic direction of the eighth album [2].

“"I listen a lot to 'True Romance,' I listen a lot to 'Pop 2.'"”

Charli XCX's clarification regarding the genre of 'Music, Fashion, Film' suggests a desire to avoid being pigeonholed into a specific sound before the album's release. Her admission that she rarely listens to 'Brat' due to its recency is a common trait among artists who require emotional distance from a project before they can objectively appreciate it as a listener.