Charli XCX's 'House' is an Unsettling Haunting, a Brutal Taste of Gothic Beauty
The latest offering from Charli XCX marks a drastic departure from the sound she's been known for, instead embracing an eerie and atmospheric quality that recalls John Cale's Velvet Underground era. The track, taken from the upcoming adaptation of Wuthering Heights, finds the singer ceding vocal duties to the 83-year-old musician, whose distinctive voice brings an air of gravitas to the proceedings.
Cale's contribution is a haunting monologue, which gradually builds from a conversational tone to an ominous warning. It's clear that this isn't your average celebrity cameo; Cale's been active in music for over six decades, with a style that's as recognizable today as it was 57 years ago. Whether he actually plays on the track remains unclear, but his influence is evident in the droning strings and jagged feedback-like noise that dominate the sonic landscape.
Distortion and chaos reign supreme throughout 'House', evoking the Velvet Underground's own experimental soundscapes. It's a far cry from XCX's previous work, which was often marked by its bright, playful quality. But this new direction feels both bold and liberating, with XCX unleashing her vocals in a way that's equal parts raw emotion and sonic experimentation.
The influence of Nine Inch Nails is also evident, particularly in the track's driving beat, which kicks in unexpectedly to punctuate the song's sense of tension. As for its connection to Fennell's Wuthering Heights adaptation, it's unclear whether specific lyrics will tie into the film's narrative – perhaps those are reserved for future releases.
What's certain is that 'House' is a powerful and striking work, one that rewards attention and multiple listens. It may not be the obvious choice for a Halloween release, but XCX has already demonstrated her willingness to push boundaries in her previous collaborations with horror director Daniel Goldhaber. For those willing to engage with its darker themes and soundscapes, 'House' is an unsettlingly beautiful listen that will leave you haunted long after it's finished playing.
The latest offering from Charli XCX marks a drastic departure from the sound she's been known for, instead embracing an eerie and atmospheric quality that recalls John Cale's Velvet Underground era. The track, taken from the upcoming adaptation of Wuthering Heights, finds the singer ceding vocal duties to the 83-year-old musician, whose distinctive voice brings an air of gravitas to the proceedings.
Cale's contribution is a haunting monologue, which gradually builds from a conversational tone to an ominous warning. It's clear that this isn't your average celebrity cameo; Cale's been active in music for over six decades, with a style that's as recognizable today as it was 57 years ago. Whether he actually plays on the track remains unclear, but his influence is evident in the droning strings and jagged feedback-like noise that dominate the sonic landscape.
Distortion and chaos reign supreme throughout 'House', evoking the Velvet Underground's own experimental soundscapes. It's a far cry from XCX's previous work, which was often marked by its bright, playful quality. But this new direction feels both bold and liberating, with XCX unleashing her vocals in a way that's equal parts raw emotion and sonic experimentation.
The influence of Nine Inch Nails is also evident, particularly in the track's driving beat, which kicks in unexpectedly to punctuate the song's sense of tension. As for its connection to Fennell's Wuthering Heights adaptation, it's unclear whether specific lyrics will tie into the film's narrative – perhaps those are reserved for future releases.
What's certain is that 'House' is a powerful and striking work, one that rewards attention and multiple listens. It may not be the obvious choice for a Halloween release, but XCX has already demonstrated her willingness to push boundaries in her previous collaborations with horror director Daniel Goldhaber. For those willing to engage with its darker themes and soundscapes, 'House' is an unsettlingly beautiful listen that will leave you haunted long after it's finished playing.
but like super dark & eerie 
i love how she experimented with her sound, its so different from her previous work 
the collaboration with John Cale is iconic 
his voice adds such gravitas to the track, it gives me chills every time 
and that beat is insane 
u gotta check this out! 
I'm intrigued by Charli XCX's new direction, but can we actually hear Cale's vocals on the track? The article doesn't say for sure if he's even featured on 'House'... 
I need a source to back up this claim before I fully buy into the eerie atmosphere. Also, how much of an influence is XCX having here - does she have control over the production, or is it more of a guest appearance? 
I gotta say, this new track from Charli XCX is seriously freaking me out in a good way 
like, I love how she's not trying to be all bright and bubbly anymore, it's like she's finally found this new sound that lets her tap into some deeper emotions 
and trust me, when the vocals drop on the John Cale part... chills 
but at the same time I don't know if I can handle how dark and eerie it is 
I mean, who wouldn't want to hear him bring his signature gravitas to a track? 
but for now, I'm gonna give 'House' a shot and see where it takes me 
charli xcx has been experimenting with darker vibes for ages and this is just another iteration of that maybe she's trying to tap into her goth side or whatever lol also what's up with john cale collaborating on this its cool i guess but like who does a 83 year old musician make the song 