Charli XCX has cemented herself as one of the most innovative and influential figures in modern pop music. Known for her ability to oscillate between mainstream pop stardom and experimental sounds, Charli is a true pioneer. From her early collaborations with PC Music and hyperpop architects like A.G. Cook, to chart-topping hits like Boom Clap and 1999, she’s managed to bridge the gap between accessible pop and avant-garde production.

Her recent release, Brat and It’s Completely Different but Also Still Brat (2024), serves as the latest example of her fearless approach. This remix album reimagines tracks from her Brat LP through collaborations with an eclectic mix of artists, including Bon Iver, The 1975, and Billie Eilish​ This project continues her trend of pushing sonic boundaries, transforming traditional pop frameworks with experimental textures drawn from hyperpop, industrial, and rave music.

Defining Hyperpop and Charli’s Involvement

Hyperpop is a subgenre of pop music defined by its blend of high-energy, heavily distorted production and its futuristic, maximalist approach. The genre draws on a range of influences, including 2000s electropop, trap, industrial, and even nightcore, creating a chaotic yet cohesive sound. Characterized by exaggerated synths, pitched vocals, and an embrace of digital aesthetics, Hyperpop challenges conventional pop structures, making it both provocative and unpredictable.

Charli XCX’s involvement in the Hyperpop movement began with her collaborations with PC Music founder A.G. Cook, a central figure in shaping the genre. Their partnership on projects like Vroom Vroom (2016) marked a departure from mainstream pop, immersing Charli in a more experimental realm. A.G. Cook’s hyperpop production style—glitchy, artificial, and hyper-processed—became a cornerstone of Charli’s evolving sound. This partnership positioned Charli at the vanguard of pop’s experimental shift, blending catchy melodies with sonic chaos.

A key moment in Charli’s hyperpop journey was her 2020 album how i’m feeling now. Written and produced during the pandemic lockdown, the album captures the raw energy of hyperpop, featuring glitchy beats, distorted vocals, and emotionally charged lyrics. The DIY approach, with fan input and a lo-fi production style, emphasized hyperpop’s ethos of breaking traditional rules while remaining emotionally resonant. This album solidified Charli’s role not only as a major player in hyperpop but as an artist redefining the future of pop music itself.

Brat and its Remix: A Case Study in Experimental Pop

Brat, released in 2024, is one of Charli XCX’s boldest projects, blending aggressive, genre-bending production with a nod to 2000s UK rave, industrial music, and electropop. The album draws from an eclectic range of sonic influences, using pounding beats, distorted synths, and glitchy production to craft a raw, high-energy sound. This aggressive edge is paired with Charli’s knack for infectious pop melodies, resulting in a unique balance between chaos and catchiness. Tracks like “Guess” and “Talk Talk” encapsulate this tension, blending euphoric rave elements with darker, industrial tones.

Her remix album, Brat and It’s Completely Different but Also Still Brat (2024), reinterprets these tracks by collaborating with experimental artists such as Bon Iver, The 1975, Lorde, and Billie Eilish​. Each featured artist brings their own style, transforming the original songs into fresh, boundary-pushing versions. For example, Bon Iver’s ethereal folk-electronic touch contrasts sharply with the industrial rave energy of the original, while The 1975’s alt-pop flair adds a new dimension to the material. These collaborations push Brat into new sonic territories, reinforcing Charli’s reputation as a pop innovator unafraid of reinvention.

The remix structure of Brat and It’s Completely Different but Also Still Brat not only highlights Charli’s experimental nature but also showcases her dedication to evolving her music beyond its initial form. By revisiting and reworking her own tracks with such a diverse array of artists, she emphasizes that her approach to pop music is never static—it’s constantly shifting, always pushing the limits of genre​. This evolution exemplifies Charli XCX’s ongoing commitment to experimental pop, making her one of the most forward-thinking figures in today’s music scene.

Collaborative Innovation: Redefining Genre Boundaries

Charli XCX’s willingness to collaborate with a wide spectrum of artists has significantly expanded pop’s sonic boundaries. Her partnerships range from mainstream icons like Lorde, Billie Eilish, and Troye Sivan, to more avant-garde figures such as Bladee and Caroline Polachek​. These collaborations have helped Charli create a genre-fluid sound that blends catchy pop hooks with experimental production, appealing to both mainstream audiences and fans of underground music.

By working with artists from such diverse backgrounds, Charli cultivates a hybrid sound that challenges conventional pop structures. For example, Lorde and Billie Eilish bring introspective lyricism and stripped-down production to the table, while avant-garde collaborators like Bladee contribute to the glitchy, futuristic sounds characteristic of hyperpop. Caroline Polachek’s ethereal vocal style and genre-blurring sensibilities also align seamlessly with Charli’s forward-thinking approach, pushing tracks into experimental territory while maintaining pop accessibility.

This genre-fluidity allows Charli’s music to resonate across multiple fan bases—those drawn to pop’s melodic core and those who seek more unconventional, boundary-pushing sounds. With her collaborative innovation, Charli has proven that pop can evolve without sacrificing its commercial appeal, reshaping the genre into something more experimental, inclusive, and fluid. Each of these partnerships serves as a testament to her ability to balance artistic integrity with mainstream success, further cementing her position as one of pop’s most daring innovators.

Embracing Technology and DIY Pop Stardom

Charli XCX has fully embraced technology as a core component of her creative process, particularly evident during the pandemic. Her 2020 album how i’m feeling now was a testament to this approach, recorded entirely in quarantine using a DIY setup. What set this project apart was her decision to involve fans directly, allowing them to vote on certain creative choices, from lyrics to visuals, through social media platforms. This not only made the process more interactive but also highlighted her willingness to break down the traditional barriers between artist and audience.

This level of fan engagement extends beyond just album production. Charli has leaned into digital aesthetics and online culture as integral aspects of her artistry, blending hyperpop’s synthetic, futuristic sounds with the immediacy of internet culture. She frequently uses platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Discord to communicate with her fans, offering an unfiltered glimpse into her creative world. This digital-first approach not only shapes her music but also her public persona, positioning her as a pop star who thrives in the online era.

By fusing technology with her DIY ethos, Charli XCX has become a trailblazer for the future of pop stardom. She demonstrates that a modern pop artist can retain full creative control, engage with fans in real time, and adapt to rapidly changing technological landscapes, all while delivering cutting-edge music. This forward-thinking, tech-savvy approach is not only reshaping the way music is made but also redefining the relationship between artists and their audience.

Influence on the Next Generation of Pop Artists

Charli XCX’s influence on the next generation of pop artists is undeniable, particularly in the hyperpop realm. Artists like Rina Sawayama and 100 gecs have embraced the experimental ethos that Charli helped bring into the mainstream, blending pop with elements of avant-garde, electronic, and industrial music. Charli’s collaborations with and mentorship of artists like these have been pivotal in pushing hyperpop from the underground into the pop spotlight, encouraging a new wave of musicians to experiment with genre-fluid sounds.

Rina Sawayama’s genre-bending debut album SAWAYAMA (2020) echoes Charli’s approach to blending glossy pop with unexpected influences, from nu-metal to 2000s R&B. 100 gecs, with their chaotic, glitchy sound and over-the-top production, also reflect Charli’s hyperpop blueprint, pushing boundaries in ways that feel simultaneously disruptive and accessible. Both acts have cited Charli as a major inspiration in their work.

The Brat era of Charli XCX’s career has made a notable cultural impact as well, not only through her innovative sound but also her unapologetic visuals. The album’s bold aesthetic, drawing from Y2K and rave culture, has resonated with a younger audience that values authenticity and rule-breaking creativity. By rejecting traditional pop tropes and embracing a rawer, more experimental persona, Charli has paved the way for the next generation of pop stars to follow suit—unafraid to push the boundaries of both music and image.

Her influence stretches beyond music, shaping how emerging artists interact with their audiences and create their personas in the digital age. This blend of fearless experimentation, coupled with a deep understanding of pop’s commercial appeal, positions Charli XCX as a true pioneer, influencing the trajectory of pop for years to come.

Closing Thoughts

Charli XCX’s ongoing revolution in pop music is marked by her fusion of hyperpop, groundbreaking collaborations, and cutting-edge production techniques. By embracing the hyperpop aesthetic—characterized by distorted, futuristic soundscapes—and working with both mainstream and experimental artists, Charli has redefined the boundaries of what pop can be. Her willingness to blend genres, push sonic limits, and reinvent her music, as seen in her latest remix album Brat and It’s Completely Different but Also Still Brat (2024), showcases her dedication to innovation and evolution.

From her early collaborations with A.G. Cook to her more recent partnerships with artists like Bon Iver, Billie Eilish, and The 1975, Charli consistently balances commercial success with a deep commitment to experimentation. Her music remains forward-thinking, consistently challenging the conventions of pop while still maintaining its accessibility. With each project, Charli XCX reaffirms her status as one of pop’s most inventive and influential figures, continually shaping the future of the genre and inspiring a new generation of artists to push the limits of what pop music can achieve.