Charli XCX - Crash Review

CRASH may not be as genre-bending or envelope-pushing as past albums, but it doesn’t need to be.

Rip hyperpop? This was the question on the minds of Charli XCX’s fans during her rollout for CRASH. For the past 6 years, Charli had refined her experimental pop sound to what is now referred to by many as hyperpop. Charli’s unique ear for pop, her catchy hooks, and experimentation ranging from fun to downright twisted on albums like Pop 2, her self-titled, and quarantine anthem, how i’m feeling now, took hyperpop from an internet cult to a genre with a mainstream stage. Which is why many fans feared for the worst when Charli seemingly would be diverging from the very sound that grew her career and fanbase to the heights they are at today.

CRASH would be Charli’s final album with her record label Atlanta, and it seemed as though Charli wanted to end her relationship with the label with a full-on unapologetic pop album. With each new single and social media post eluding to her new album being a “sellout album”, fans grew divided on whether CRASH would ultimately be a dud in Charli’s amazing discography. After the release of the album in its entirety, it is safe to say that CRASH is in no way a miss by Charli. While it does diverge from the experimentation she has showcased on previous records, CRASH shows that mainstream pop can still be fun.

The title track, and first track of the album, Crash, is a perfect summary of what CRASH offers listeners. This track uses 80s pop elements that have found their home in current pop. Its glossy production, danceable rhythm, and insanely catchy lyrics make Crash a perfect song to blast in the car or the club. Thematically, Crash tackles topics like love, sex, power, and self-destruction, all of which are further expanded upon as the album progresses.

One of the best aspects of CRASH is how catchy each track is throughout the album. Charli’s ability to make a song stick in your head is impressive, to say the least. Choruses from songs like Crash, Good Ones, Constant Repeat, Yuck, and Used To Know Me are guaranteed to stay in listeners’ ears for days post-listen. Charli’s command over the hooks paired with the punchy instrumentals that accompany her singing help make some of the catchiest songs of the year.

Most of CRASH feels like it was made to be danced to in a club. The album’s catchiness paired with its energy beg for it to be danced to. This all manifests itself in one of the final tracks, Used To Know Me, which samples the EDM classic, Show Me Love by Robin S. DJs will definitely be incorporating this song into their sets so don’t be surprised if you hear this song at whatever party or club you’re at.

With all the bangers on CRASH, Lightning is the moment that stands out among the rest. This track has the most experimentation on the whole album, utilizing crazy vocal distortion and effects to give her voice a truly electric feeling. Paired with Charli’s confidence over popping synths and drums, it feels like Charli really captured lightning in a bottle. Lightning takes a classic 80s sound but adds Charli’s signature futuristic sound to take it to the next level; it feels both old and new at the same time.

While Charli has strayed away from the sounds of her previous albums, her bratty and fun vocal delivery hasn’t changed much. CRASH also puts her vocal talents on full display as her performances capture each respective song’s themes and mood. Whether it be on the hypnotic Move Me, the lovestruck and dreamy Every Rule, or the bright and twinkling Twice, Charli still feels like herself even if the sounds supporting her are different.

The only negative CRASH suffers from is that it follows the pop formula too closely at times. The songs can start to feel too predictable, and part of Charli’s charm is the unpredictability she’s shown in the past. When isolated, CRASH becomes a great pop album that pays homage to the sounds of the 80s, but when compared to her explosive previous works, CRASH can seem dull and uninspired.

Was CRASH Charli’s best work? No. Was it a bad album? Absolutely not. Charli set out to make a pop album, and she did a damn good job at it. CRASH may not be as genre-bending or envelope-pushing as past albums, but it doesn’t need to be.