The nom de pop of Charlotte Aitchison, Charli XCX, mixes influences and inspirations as diverse as the Spice Girls, Kate Bush, Lil Wayne, Quentin Tarantino, and Twin Peaks into moody yet catchy synth pop described by some as “neon goth.” She began making music at an early age while growing up in Hertfordshire, England, and released a pair of singles, 2008’s “Emelline/Art Bitch” and “!Franchesckaar!,” while still in her teens. She also recorded her first album that year, which she sold at concerts, although it never saw an official release. Three years later, she returned with a slew of new material, including the singles “Stay Away” and “Nuclear Seasons.” Her first original mixtape, Heartbreaks and Earthquakes, arrived in May 2012 and was followed by her U.S. debut EP, You’re the One, and another mixtape, Super Ultra. She scored another hit that year with the Icona Pop single “I Love It,” on which she appeared and co-wrote. She then scored again on “Fancy” with Iggy Azalea. International prominence followed. The release of “Boom Clap” gave Charli XCX her first top 10 hit as a solo artist. In August 2014, Charli XCX announced the title of her upcoming second major-label studio album, Sucker, which would be released in December 2014. Charli XCX continues to tour the globe.
