Why is the collaboration between Charli XCX and Lorde so important?

A couple of weeks ago, Charli XCX released her sixth studio album ‘Brat’. The album oscillates between extremes from one song to the next, a hyper-pop rollercoaster of post-Saturn-return, early-thirties anxieties and It-girl bravado. Specifically, the song The Girl, So Confusing addresses her differences with another pop star. “People say we’re the same / They say we have the same hair”. “I can’t tell if you want to see me / Falling and failing”.

The pop star avoided revealing who she was referring to in interviews, fuelling speculation. The unexpected twist came when speculation began to mount that the other artist was Lorde, and Charli didn’t hesitate to confirm to us all that it was for her by releasing a new version of the song, entitled The Girl, So Confusing Version With Lorde. Lorde confesses her own insecurities and her surprise at discovering Charli’s feelings: “I’ve been at war with my body / I tried to starve myself to be thinner. I was trapped in hate / And your life seemed so awesome.”

To give you some context, the history between Charli XCX and Lorde is full of ups and downs. From the beginning of their careers, comparisons between the two were inevitable. Charli, known for her bold, experimental style, and Lorde, with her introspective, alternative sound, were often pitted against each other in the media and among their own fans for their physical resemblance and for being two pop stars. Indirect comments in interviews and on social media fed a narrative of competition that, at times, resembled an actual feud.

In fact, in an interview with Rolling Stone, Charli confessed: “When ‘Royals’ came out, I was super jealous of the success the song received, and the success Ella received. She liked my music. She had long hair, I had long hair. She wore black lipstick, I wore black lipstick once. You create these comparisons and you think that could have been you.” Speaking publicly about the pressure and expectations they felt was a turning point in their relationship. This public acknowledgement was crucial for the two to take a step towards reconciliation.

The reconciliation process

The rapprochement between Charli XCX and Lorde did not happen overnight. It was a gradual process that included honest conversations and a willingness on both sides to put the past behind them. According to close sources, the two artists began communicating directly, discussing their misunderstandings and finding common ground in their experiences and artistic visions. These conversations not only dismantled old resentments, but also led to the collaboration of the year.

The magic of The Girl, So Confusing

The result of this reconciliation is The Girl, So Confusing, a song that reflects both the complexity of their relationship and the maturity they have both reached. The lyrics address themes of confusion and self-exploration, resonating with an honesty that not only enriches the musical landscape, but also inspires a new generation to value authenticity and humanity above all else. This collaboration serves as a powerful example of overcoming rivalries in the music industry. By choosing reconciliation over competition.

Charli XCX to perform PARTYGIRL at Amnesia.