Charli XCX has revealed that she is moving away from the electronic sound that defined her 2024 cultural phenomenon, Brat, for her next studio album. In a candid new interview, the artist declared: “The dance floor is dead, so now we’re making rock music.”

The Brat era became a massive cultural touchstone, sparking the viral “Brat summer” craze and leading to a series of high-profile festival headlining slots and the release of her mockumentary, The Moment. However, having recently provided the score for Emerald Fennell’s Wuthering Heights adaptation and released a companion album, Charli is already deep into the creative process for her eighth record.

Speaking with Vogue, Charli shared that she felt compelled to travel to Paris to record the new material, seeking a “hectic, rich” atmosphere to foster her creativity. During the interview, she offered a glimpse into the project by previewing a new track driven by raw, electric guitar riffs.

“I think the dance floor is dead, so now we’re making rock music,” she explained, noting that her inspiration stems from the energy of nightlife and a desire to avoid the trap of creating a “Brat 2.0.” She added, “If I’d made another album that felt more dance-leaning, it would have felt really hard, really sad. What’s interesting for me is to bend the possibilities of what my perspective on that could be.”

Reflecting on her career, which spans nearly two decades, Charli admitted that she is constantly seeking new ways to stay thrilled by the creative process. “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,” she said. “I’d always rather have style than be vague. Which is the biggest crime, in my opinion.”

The upcoming record also marks a shift toward more internal, introspective themes. Charli noted that she wants to explore the concept of purpose, particularly how art provides meaning in her life. She also touched upon her marriage to George Daniel of The 1975, noting that she is less interested in writing traditional love songs and more focused on the “obscure feelings of being married.”

While the album has not been officially announced, producers A.G. Cook, Finn Keane, and George Daniel have hinted that the project is shaping up to be “anti-Brat.” With reports of a “Lou Reed era” rock sound and an exploration of string arrangements, fans can expect a significant departure from her recent work. Charli is set to return to the stage this August for her headline debut at Reading & Leeds.