Singer Charli xcx’s latest album dropped on Feb. 13, which corresponds with the new Netflix version of “Wuthering Heights.” Based on Emily Brontë’s classic novel “Wuthering Heights,” it tells the story of ill-fated lovers Heathcliff and Catherine. (You can read my recent review and mixed feelings about “Wuthering Heights” here.) The album takes a small step back from xcx’s “brat” era, with the aesthetic of the album having a Gothic look that steps away from her rave girl look. As someone who’s been a fan of xcx since “Unlock it” came out, I am very impressed with this album.
Here is a rundown of the songs on the album in order of how they appear on the album.
“House” (Featuring John Cale)
The opening track for “Wuthering Heights” starts with dialogue given by John Cale, a Welsh singer who founded the band Velvet Underground. The dialogue details who the character–presumably the movie’s Heathcliff–is as a person, asking if he is living in a world that is not his own. It’s more like Cale is begging for things to go perfectly. After the lines “If there’s beauty, say it’s enough,” the song drops the Victorian-style bass completely, with the lines repeating, “I think I’m going to die in this house,” playing into the theme that character is trapped in his life, and cannot get out.
“Wall of Sound”
The second track goes into details on how xcx was feeling like she had a lack of creativity for music after her “brat” tour. The lyrics of the song go into the themes of desire and emotional tension, which reflect on the relationships that happen in “Wuthering Heights.” I think that the song blends well with the story of how main character Catherine gets married to another man (Edgar) despite loving another. It also reminds listeners how Heathcliff makes his own moves to make Catherine jealous, only to find that the two lovers still yearn ever more desperately for each other.
“Dying for You”
The third track continues the themes of obsessive love and self-distruction mirroring the intense relationship shown between Catherine and Heathcliff in “Wuthering Heights.” The lyrics show how much obsessive love can be, and provide a perfect background for the tragic ending to the story when [SPOILER ALERT] Heathcliff dies in Catherine’s room.
“Always Everywhere”
The fourth track takes a deep dive into the tragic tale of “Wuthering Heights” in how Heathcliff sees Catherine in his dreams. The moody lyrics of the song give a haunting type of energy, which is seen throughout the movie. The line “Every echo calls out your name” has an eerie tone that follows the gothic harmony of the song.
“Chains of Love”
The fifth track of the album highlights some of xcx’s past music. Multiple people online are comparing the song to her debut album, “True Romance.” In fact, xcx later mentioned in a tweet that “True Romance” is “100%” “Wuthering Heights” sister. I personally think this song has a deeper meaning, as in getting older and reflecting on one’s past with grace instead of looking back with disgust.
“Out of Myself”
The sixth track has a raw and rough sound that has a harsh sound to it. After the success that “brat” had, xcx was feeling emotionally drained and thought she had lost her passion for music. The lines “I’m begging you on my knees/ Please rub the salt in my wounds/ I like the person you turned me into” melds with a track that blends electronic elements with beats, capturing the song’s raw emotion.
“Open Up”
This song has an echo of the words “open up” and a loud bass and violin that corresponds with the echo. The song can be looked at in two ways; from xcx’s point of view of the feelings she got after the “brat” era came to a conclusion, or as how Catherine acted when Edgar, Catherine’s rejected husband, banishes Healthcliff from the manor.
“Seeing Things”
The eighth track marks a significant shift in xcx’s music style, embracing the change from party girl club music to a more gothic atmosphere. The song features a haunting arrangement of strings and violins that has an upbeat type of style. The song reflects on how Heathcliff is starting to see Catherine as a ghost after she passes away, and how he opens up her coffin to see her one more time.
“Alters”
Embodying the more emotional depth of the album, this song highlights Catherine and Healthcliff’s love and obsessive passion for each other. The line “You and I, so violently, could be together in forbidden scenes,” highlights how Catherine and Heathcliff have to meet in private, thanks to Heathcliff’s humble beginnings at the start of the tale. Many other people online say details of the song are scarce, but that it embodies the talk of loss and the rituals that bind the characters together.
“Eyes of the World” (Featuring Sky Ferreira)
The tenth track is unique in the manner that the lyrics feel like ending credits, which fit the style of the “Wuthering Heights” soundtrack. The song itself has a dramatic flair, with loud percussion and strings adding tension between xcx and Ferreira while they sing.
“My Reminder”
The eleventh track goes into the early stages of Heathcliff and Catherine’s relationship. In the beginning of the book and movie, Heathcliff and Catherine first meet each other as youth, and the feelings of envy, love, and jealousy that arise. When Heathcliff and Catherine later fall in love, their love is forbidden due to Heathcliff’s low status. The line ‘No, I don’t hate you, we’re just different now,” represents how Heathcliff eventually makes his way up the strict British class system, and how it changes Catherine’s perspective on him.
“Funny Mouth”
The closing track is a roller coaster of a song, starting with a very light base that alternates with a gothic style. The ending lyrics, “Everyone sleeps, everyone wakes up,” highlight the tragic ending to the main characters’ love and obsession for each other.
Overall, I give this album a 10/10. The messages of each song perfectly correlate to the story, as well as provide a step back from xcx’s “brat” era. “Brat” is very much a club music type album, which a lot of people liked, myself included. “Wuthering Heights” is more gothic, but has loud bases throughout which grew on me. From what I have been seeing online, there is a speculation that xcx might drop another album come summertime, but one can only hope that is true.
Check the album out on Spotify, Apple Music, or any other streaming website.
