After the cultural impact of Brat, Charli xcx returns with Wuthering Heights, a project created for Emerald Fennell’s film adaptation of the Emily Brontë novel. What began as a request to contribute a single track quickly developed into a full album once Charli became interested in building a wider sonic world around the story. She explained that she wanted the music to reflect something “raw, wild, sexual, gothic, British, tortured,” allowing her to step into a completely different creative space following the intensity of her previous era.
The first tracks released from the project already signal a clear shift in tone. The club brightness of Brat gives way to darker arrangements and inspired songwriting, yet the defining elements of Charli’s artistry remain intact. The production is still experimental within that pop framework, and the attitude that defines her catalogue continues to be an anchor in the record. Wuthering Heights may mark a new chapter stylistically, but it still feels unmistakably xcx.
“House” sets the tone early. It works as a cinematic introduction that grows increasingly eerie as it moves toward its climax, establishing a mood that runs through the entire record. That sense of unease is carried by the production choices, whether through sparse arrangements or the sharp use of strings and glitchiness. In many ways the sound mirrors the unsettling atmosphere that defines the original Wuthering Heights story, showing how carefully Charli has built the album’s sonic world rather than simply writing songs inspired by the narrative.
Charli described the project on her X account as a sister record to her debut True Romance, and the connection is clear. The sound textures and vocal layering recall that early era, offering a sense of continuity that long time listeners will recognise immediately. “Eyes of the World”, featuring Sky Ferreira, is perhaps the most direct callback to this. While the re-pairing is welcome, the track does not quite reach the heights of their earlier collaboration “Cross You Out” from the Charli album, which in hindsight would actually sit comfortably within this project’s sound palette.
“Dying for You” stands out on first listen as the most immediate single contender. It echoes the anthemic collaborations with Sam Smith while still fitting naturally within the album’s dark tone. Elsewhere the record shows a softer touch. Tracks such as “Always Everywhere” and “Altars” allow space for quieter moments, creating a necessary contrast to the heavier production that surrounds a lot of the album.
The album closes with “Funny Mouth”, returning to the eerie atmosphere that opened the project. The track builds patiently before dropping into a distorted finale layered with dramatic strings, bringing the record full circle and reinforcing the consistency of its mood.
For listeners who discovered Charli through the Brat era, there remains enough immediacy here to hold attention even as the sonic direction shifts. Without the context of the accompanying film it is difficult to fully judge how the music functions as a companion piece, but the themes and tonal choices suggest a natural alignment with the emotional intensity of the source material. Presented alongside a carefully packaged vinyl release, Wuthering Heights reinforces the idea that Charli xcx continues to think beyond standalone singles, positioning herself not only as a pop artist but as a fully realised creative in her own lane.
3.9/5
