Charli XCX's 'Rock Music' Is a Sucker Punch

"The line “I think the dance floor is dead” was first teased in a British Vogue cover story and has since attracted angry responses from other artists, including nu-disco singer Rochelle Jordan who tweeted, “It ain't dead until WE say so.” The song itself still has Charli's trademark glitching, but it's also got real instruments. While she messily talk-sings about hanging out with her friends, the underlying guitar riff sounds like a bright and thumping rock band."

"The music video features cameos from all the main boys of the Charli-verse. It opens in black and white on Charli with her husband, George Daniel, then she tackles Aidan Zamiri, who directed her movie , and licks his face. As she continues to rock out, she falls into her producer A.G. Cook, who is playing an actual guitar. For the man whose career has been based around creating synthetic electronic soundscapes, it's different to see him with an instrument."

"Charli's rockist pivot isn't out of nowhere. On “Rock Music” she sings that “I'm really bangin' my head,” as if she can't believe she's doing it. But, 12 years ago, she released the beloved pop punk album Sucker. The very first lyric on that album is “Head bang, pink rocks / Gold fangs, shit hot.” In the time since that record, which includes her hit “Boom Clap,” she's burrowed deep into electronic pop, culminating in Brat. Now, the prodigal daughter has returned to the mosh pit."

“Rock Music” arrives with a music video and marks a shift from club-focused sounds toward rock and roll. The track keeps Charli XCX’s signature glitching while adding real instruments, including a bright, thumping guitar riff reminiscent of The 1975. Charli talk-sings about hanging out with friends as the song’s rock foundation drives the rhythm. The video includes cameos from key figures in the Charli-verse, featuring Charli with George Daniel, interactions with Aidan Zamiri, and a moment where producer A.G. Cook plays an actual guitar. The move connects to earlier pop-punk roots, including the “Sucker” album’s head-banging lyrics, and follows years of electronic pop culminating in Brat.

Read at Vulture