Charli XCX has announced her new Wuthering Heights album, featuring original songs inspired by Emerald Fennell’s film adaptation of Emily Brontë’s classic novel.
Following the success of her Grammy-winning 2024 album Brat, the British singer and songwriter will release Wuthering Heights on February 13, 2026.
Charli XCX first introduced the project with “House”, a collaboration featuring John Cale of the American rock band The Velvet Underground.
House and Chains of Love
“House” marks a clear change in direction from Charli XCX’s previous album Brat.
Instead of the energetic electro-pop sound associated with Brat, the new track has a darker and more haunting atmosphere.
John Cale’s distinctive narration adds to the song’s gothic mood. The track also reflects the “elegant and brutal” approach that inspired Charli during the making of the Wuthering Heights album.
She later released “Chains of Love”, another single from the project. The song combines electronic production with baroque-pop influences.
“Chains of Love” also appears in the recently released trailer for Emerald Fennell’s film.
Fans have already noticed similarities between the new music and Charli’s 2013 album True Romance. Some listeners have described the project as a return to the sound of her earlier career.
It started with a Christmas call
The Wuthering Heights album began after Emerald Fennell contacted Charli XCX about creating music for her film.
Charli revealed on Instagram that Fennell called her around Christmas and asked whether she would consider writing a song for the adaptation.
After reading the script, Charli said she immediately felt inspired. She then began working with Finn Keane on several songs connected to the film’s world.
Charli also reached out to John Cale because of her admiration for The Velvet Underground. She sent him some of her music and discussed the possibility of working together.
Their collaboration eventually produced “House”, which captures the dark and dramatic tone Charli wanted for the project.
Wuthering Heights
Emily Brontë published Wuthering Heights in 1847 under the pen name Ellis Bell.
The classic novel tells a story of love, revenge and obsession against the backdrop of the Yorkshire moors.
Emerald Fennell has directed the new film adaptation. Margot Robbie stars as Catherine Earnshaw, while Jacob Elordi plays Heathcliff.
The Wuthering Heights album will complement Fennell’s interpretation of the story with original music inspired by its characters and atmosphere.
Charli XCX’s new project therefore marks an interesting shift from Brat. It also gives the singer an opportunity to explore darker sounds while connecting her music with a major literary adaptation.
