Charli XCX has released the video for her new track Rock Music, leaning heavily into chaotic rock star imagery while continuing to tease a new direction following the success of Brat.
The video was filmed while the song itself was still being created, with Charli recruiting longtime collaborators A. G. Cook, Finn Keane and her husband, George Daniel of The 1975, to appear as her backing band.
Video embraces classic rock clichés
Directed by Aidan Zamiri, the clip references familiar rock ’n’ roll tropes, including Charli throwing a television from a hotel window and chain-smoking throughout the video.
Zamiri previously worked with Charli on The Moment, the visual project tied to the Brat era.
Charli says song and video evolved together
Writing on her Instagram account @b.sides, Charli explained that the creative process behind the song and video happened simultaneously during sessions in Paris.
“started the idea for this music video with aidan when we were in paris. aidan was filming me in the studio with finn and alex.”
“it was fun to be immediately reactive and come up with the idea for the video as the song was still being made.”
“the song ideas informed the video and the video ideas informed the song. full circle kinda thing.”
“thanks to everyone who got together in staten island to make this happen. it was a really special day xx”
Fans speculated about a rock album
The release follows recent comments from Charli suggesting “the dance floor is dead”, a line repeated throughout Rock Music. The statement led some fans to believe she was preparing a full rock album as the follow-up to Brat.
However, the singer later clarified that the project is not a traditional rock record.
“a video of me making a song called “rock music” that is not actually rock music which is funny because i never said i was making a rock album. love you xx”
Brat follow-up expected to push into new territory
Speaking to British Vogue, Charli said she had little interest in repeating the sound of Brat, which became one of 2024’s defining pop albums.
“We knew it would be this very hectic, rich time and we like creating in that kind of atmosphere.”
“I think the dance floor is dead, so now we’re making rock music…”
“If I’d made another album that felt more dance-leaning, it would have felt really hard, really sad.”
She added that challenging expectations is what continues to keep music exciting for her after nearly two decades in the industry.
“For me, it’s fun to flip the form.”
“We know there’s gonna be people who are bothered by it, but that’s fine.”
“I’d always rather have style than be vague. Which is the biggest crime, in my opinion.”
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