Charli XCX Addresses “Rock Music” Discourse

Charli XCX's much-hyped pivot back to rock music, "Rock Music," has sparked some strong reactions, including here in the Stereogum extended universe. Though my colleague Margaret Farrell seemed smitten when she posted the song last Friday, none of the rest of our staff seems that enthused. People in our Discord server mostly hated it, and Stereogum contributor Eli Enis declared that it must be a joke, a self-destructive maneuver to burn off part of her fan base after the near-universal adulation of her Brat-era victory lap.

Me? I think "Rock Music" is spectacular. Based on what we've heard so far from Reality Awaits, it might be the best Strokes song we hear this year. Charli's embrace of clichéd rock tropes is extremely knowing and absurdly fun, from the TV-smashing and mountains of cigarette butts in the video to the lyrics about nerve damage from headbanging. Her faux-amazed "wow" at the start of the second verse is the best line reading of the year, and her vocals throughout are intensely, maniacally catchy. And that explosive, glitchy chorus? Chef's kiss. I enjoy that she's being intentionally vague about how many levels of irony and commentary are at work here. Also, when none of that matters when "Rock Music" is blaring in my speakers because fun is fun.

Now that I've said my piece, it's time to hear from Charli herself. She's weighed in on the "Rock Music" discourse in a new Instagram post, which reads as follows:

seeing all the different reactions to my song rock music has been really interesting. my friends and i have been discussing how in ways it reminds us of the initial discourse around pc music, how the label was deemed as almost critiquing or looking down on pop music or something, and there was an element of that with vroom vroom too when that ep came out. it’s all kind of fascinating. i love talking about music and art w my friends, so im happy people are throwing out thoughts. i’m not gonna explain where i was coming from with “rock music”, but all i know is that things can be funny, earnest, sincere, and joyful all at the same time and that’s what i feel about a lot of the things i make. anyways, just was thinking about things and thought i’d put them on the internet, will probably regret it lol

Well said. Listen again below, and then those of you who hate fun can roast Charli and me in the comments while basking in your eternal wrongness.