Altsounds - CHARLI XCX - New AA Single - ‘EMELLINE/ART BITCH’

16 YEAR OLD CHARLI XCX follows up the commotion created by her debut single ‘!Franchesckaar!’ with the silvery brilliance of new double A-sided single ‘Emelline/Art Bitch’, released on November 17 through ownlabel XCX Music. Once again written and performed by Charli XCX (and produced by Darren Bazzoni), ‘Emelline/Art Bitch’ sees our young heroine zapping some rather ace classical chords onto her megaphone-fuzzed raps and grimily bouncing basslines. “Emelline is what you imagine it might be like to get high on Smarties at a rave,” notes The Guardian, wisely.

“Emelline is actually my imaginary friend,” insists Miss XCX. “She’s my alter ego and the voice that dances round inside my head. Dark, sadistic, controlling and always naughty. I’m fearless when Emelline is there – it’s almost like I want to stop her, but can’t. Emelline is quite gothic compared to me, but whenever she’s there, I’m filled up with the same kind of darkness that possesses her…”

Cripes. At least we can all heave a sigh of relief that flipside ‘Art Bitch’ is about People Who Actually Exist: “It’s dedicated to two of my friends who live their lives inside all things artistic. They crave to be original, and I love them. You can’t label an Art Bitch – she moves around too much, finds new places, new clothes and new lives all the time.”

Debut single ‘!Franchesckaar!’, remixed by Tapedeck, came out under August’s leaden skies and, suitably enough, managed itself to whip up a storm. And then she passed 13 GCSE’s, with 8 A’s and 5 A*s, has Grade 8 singing and first performed aged 4 on a cruise liner in a talent contest singing ‘Barbie Girl’. And won.Oh, anddebut album, entitled ‘14’, was recorded in summer 2007 when she was 14, and comprised 14 tracks entirely written and performed by CHARLIXCX herself (with the exception of drums on track two.)

So, anything else we should know? “I love Uffie, MIA, Santogold, Soul Wax, Justice, 2 Many DJs. It would be great to work with them.”

We’ll pass it on. ‘EMELLINE/ART BITCH’ is out Nov 17 on XCX Records.

Quote:

“A pubescent MIA, the computer-pop Kate Nash, Lily Allen lost in space, the female Frankmusik, the Fisher Price Fischerspooner, Lykke Li's grimy young British cousin…”

Guardian Unlimited, New Band of The Day 8/8/8

“Amazing teen rave paean…that sounds like it was composed using an old mobile and some popping candy” Metro, Single of The Week