Charli XCX has revealed her new studio album, Wuthering Heights, set for release on February 13 via Atlantic Records. The project, a follow-up to her 2024 Brat era, draws inspiration from a collaboration with director Emerald Fennell on an adaptation of Emily Brontë's classic novel. Announced alongside the single 'Chains of Love,' the album promises a gothic, emotionally intense shift from her previous club-ready sound.
Announcement and Release Details
Charli XCX announced her upcoming album Wuthering Heights on November 14, 2025, marking her next major release after the successful Brat albums in 2024. The 12-track project is scheduled for February 13, 2026, through Atlantic Records. It opens with the previously released collaboration 'House' featuring John Cale of The Velvet Underground and includes the new single 'Chains of Love.'
Inspiration from Film Collaboration
The album's concept stems from XCX's involvement in Emerald Fennell's forthcoming film adaptation of Emily Brontë's Wuthering Heights. Initially approached to contribute a single to the movie's soundtrack, XCX proposed developing a full album instead. In a Substack post, she described the story's appeal as 'wild, sexual, gothic, British, tortured,' influencing the record's thematic direction.
Creative Process and Sound
XCX primarily worked with producer Finn Keane, adopting a sonic philosophy of 'elegant and brutal' inspired by The Velvet Underground. Much of the writing occurred during her recent tour, with the duo renting studio spaces in various cities to capture a raw, nomadic energy. This marks a departure from Brat's vibrant, club-oriented aesthetic toward a more literary, gothic, and emotionally tortured landscape, emphasizing persona and depth.
The collaboration with John Cale on the opening track set the artistic tone, solidifying XCX's innovative approach in pop music. Fans anticipate an immersive, conceptual experience with this release.