charli xcx gives POWER TO THE PEOPLE FOR UPCOMING ALBUM

Charli XCX performs onstage during the Taylor Swift reputation Stadium Tour | Jason Kempin/TAS18/Getty Images for TAS

The reason for charli XCX’s success isn’t just because of her talent, but also her refreshing, raw vulnerability and ability to connect.

I’ve been following Charli XCX’s antics since the release of her debut album, True Romance, in 2013. I hate the way that sounded, and I normally hate those people. Ya know, the “I found out about ______ before that single, before the bandwagon” sort of folks. But I do get a little sentimental (in a way I have no business doing because I have in no way, shape or form contributed to her success behind the scenes) thinking about how far she’s come since her breakout feature on Icona Pop’s international hit, “I Love It.”

Her debut album, True Romance, failed to do the numbers, but was greeted enthusiastically by critics, and it didn’t stop Charli from moving inevitably up the ranks, vying for the #1 spot on the charts and in our hearts. It feels as if she was destined for pop greatness. The next year in 2014, she contributed the hook and chorus to a little bop you definitely know: Iggy Azalea’s “Fancy” and it’s been a wrap for these pop girlies ever since.

Even if you hadn’t kept up with her since then (you missed out on albums with dozens of heavy-hitters like Carly Rae Jepsen, Tove Lo, Lizzo, Big Freedia, Kim Petras, and CupcakKe. Please do your civic duty, pause reading this article and s t r e a m, I’ll forgive you for your indiscretion), you should know that Charli rarely disappoints. Whether it’s her selfies, her podcast, her music recommendations, or the constant updates on her life, in and out of the studio, we always know what’s up.

Of course, we should’ve known that Charli wouldn’t leave us completely without hope, as we shelter and create a safe, physical distance from a raging global pandemic.

Charli deleted all of her Instagram posts before April 6, when she posted a bare-faced photo with the caption: “SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT TODAY ON ZOOM AT TIME 11.30AM PT/ 2.30PM ET/ 7.30PM BST. I WILL DROP THE CONFERENCE CODE IN THE COMMENTS JUST BEFORE. 1000 CAP ONLY. SEE YOU IN THERE.”

I was not expecting to be blessed, and because of Instagram’s lacking algorithm, I saw this post hours after the Zoom call had happened. But of course, for the rest of us, she posted a video later in the day to announce her new album with the working title: "How I’m Feeling Now.”

Charli’s plans to channel her creative energy to create How I’m Feeling Lately using nothing but what’s “at her fingertips,” and is allowing us to be a part of essentially the whole process. She says, “I’ll be reaching out to people to collaborate with…I’m gonna keep the entire process super open” and “I’ll be posting demos, acapellas…text conversations with any collaborators…I’ll be filming myself in the studio, doing Zoom conferences to ask fans or anyone watching for opinions or ideas.”

But, it doesn’t stop there. Charli continues on to say, “I’m gonna set up an e-mail address so that fans or anyone can send me beats or references. The whole thing in that sense will be extremely collaborative…anyone who wants to be involved can explore their creativity alongside mine.”

Every day there’s been an update. Whether it’s videos of Charli writing and singing lyrics, or posting selfies in her underwear when her goofy self-timer fails. We get Zoom meeting after Zoom meeting (each one is password-protected and capped at 1,000 people. Y’all, even with post notifications turned on I still haven’t been able to get in). Charli’s been more communicative and online than some of my former co-workers.

On April 8, Charli posted 3 photos and had fans vote on which one would be the basis for the cover artwork for her premiere single “Forever.” She then reached out to 3 artists for their own perspective on the fan-picked photo, and dropped the single the next day! WHAT? And the music video for “Forever” drops tomorrow, April 17. We’re full Charli! We’ve already been FED! Let’s be real though, I’ll be here…in my house…playing it on a loop.

I would say “your fave could never,” but the reality is that they could, and they just don’t. Please don’t @ me on this, unless you’re talking about the amazing work Rihanna is doing; in that case, please do.