Charli XCX responds to reactions to her pivot on ‘Rock Music’

Charli XCX has discussed her recent single ‘Rock Music’ and revealed that she found it “really interesting” to see people have such strong responses towards it.

- READ MORE: Charli XCX – ‘Wuthering Heights’ review: delicious gothic pop for a winter of yearning

The ‘Von Dutch’ singer dropped the track last Friday (May 8), and it saw her take a step back from the club vibe of the hit 2024 album ‘ Brat ’, and instead lean into a more gritty, guitar-led sound.

It came with a grungy music video that featured collaborators A.G. Cook , Finn Keane (formerly known as Easyfun) and her husband, The 1975 ‘s George Daniel, as her rock band – and soon sparked a mixed reaction from listeners, with some embracing the new direction and others being less complimentary.

Now, Charli has weighed in on the discussion and shared that she has found it intriguing to see people have such strong opinions about it – both good and bad.

“Seeing all the different reactions to my song ‘Rock Music’ has been really interesting,” she wrote on Instagram.

“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,” she said, adding that she also felt a similar way when she dropped her third EP, ‘ Vroom Vroom ’, in 2016.

“It’s all kind of fascinating. I love talking about music and art with my friends, so I’m happy people are throwing out thoughts,” she continued. “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,” she concluded.

Since sharing the single, Charli has also gone on to drop the stripped-back b-side, ‘I Keep on Thinking Bout You Every Single Day and Night’ , alongside its lo-fi, black and white video.

Both tracks arrive following her team confirming last month that the singer was finishing work on her new album . Her last studio album was 2024’s ‘Brat’ – the release which became a cultural phenomenon and sparked “Brat Summer” – and since then Charli has released a soundtrack album for Emerald Fennell’s Wuthering Heights .

> Charli xcx shares her thoughts on the reaction to her single ‘rock music’: “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… pic.twitter.com/4HiGi78xiq — Pop Base (@PopBase) May 13, 2026

Speaking to British Vogue about the upcoming album , Charli first unveiled the ‘Rock Music’ lyric: “ I think the dance floor is dead, so now we’re making rock music ” – sparking rumours that the new record would see her shift to a heavier direction.

She would later clarify things by telling fans: “I never said I was making a rock album.”

More details about the new album are expected to be announced soon. At time of writing, the release date and title is still unknown.

As well as working on the soundtrack for Wuthering Heights , Charli also penned music for the A24 film Mother Mary  and starred in her own mockumentary The Moment .

Other on screen roles include an appearance in the  romance Erupcja , a spot in fantasy 100 Nights Of Hero , playing a comedic version of herself in the TV show Overcompensating , and being cast alongside Supergirl star Milly Alcock in a new horror film directed by Takashi Miike.

This August, she’ll return to the stage to make her headline debut at Reading & Leeds – topping the festival bill alongside Fontaines D.C. , RAYE , Florence + The Machine , Dave and Chase & Status . Visit here for tickets and more information.

The post Charli XCX responds to reactions to her pivot on ‘Rock Music’ appeared first on NME .

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