Charli XCX Releases New Track "SS26" Following "Rock Music" Controversy

7:11 PM EDT on May 21, 2026

Earlier this month, Charli XCX unveiled the polarizing anthem " Rock Music ," whose controversy she addressed by saying things can be " funny, earnest, sincere, and joyful all at the same time ." Since then, she's offered more commentary, tweeting , "if you get me, you get me and if you don’t, you don’t. and thats ok <3" and adding that she's "not trying to repel people away or convince people into liking me." She also released the b-side " I Keep Thinking About You Every Single Day And Night ," but everyone (including Madonna ) was too busy arguing about "Rock Music" to pay attention to it. Anyway, she's back with "SS26."

"SS26" was produced by A.G. Cook and Finn Keane, who both wrote the song with Charli. The British pop star shared the lyrics of "SS26" on Substack earlier this week, which mention notes app apologies, cigarettes, press strategies, and runways that go to hell. It's a somber number, especially when she gloomily concludes, "Nothing's gonna save us/ Not music, fashion, or film." It comes with a music video directed by Torso. Watch below.

if you get me, you get me and if you don’t, you don’t. and thats ok <3

i’m not trying to repel people away or convince people into liking me. i’m doing what i feel is truthful to me. i think existing as a human being in 2026 is really hard for a multitude of different reasons. my solace is art but sometimes that doesn’t even really feel safe in this…

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_Originally reported by [Stereogum](https://stereogum.com/2499756/charli-xcx-ss26/music/)._