More about: Charli XCX

It's nearly two years since Charli XCX released her self-isolation album How I’m Feeling Now, and we have now been granted access to its inner workings thanks to the documentary Charli XCX: Alone Together. The film demonstrates how the singer used a time of confinement and remoteness to produce a project that united people internationally as well as challenge negative pre-conceptions of fan culture and collaboration. 

Back in April 2020, Charli XCX announced that she would be releasing an album in six weeks. Taking to Instagram Live to share the news, the singer explained to fans that she planned to make an entire full length album from scratch and that it was set to be released on 15 May. She emphasised that she wanted this album to be a collaboration between herself and her fans (more prominently known as her 'Angels’). Of course, this announcement came as a shock: less than a year prior, XCX released her critically-acclaimed album Charli. Nevertheless, fans were ecstatic at the chance to distract themselves from the distressing state of the world in the first throes of the Covid pandemic. The process of making How I'm Feeling Now was recorded, primarily by Charli, using video cameras, photobooth and screen recordings of Instagram Lives and Zoom calls. These clips were then used to produce a documentary, directed by Bradley Bell and Pablo Jones-Soler, to exhibit the artistry of the album. 

The most striking element of the film is its display of connectivity between Charli XCX and her fans. Charli XCX: Alone Together highlights eight angels and their involvement with the album, whether it be picking out album artwork, making remixes or sending in videos to be featured in some of the track’s music videos. These individual stories demonstrate a level of intimacy and trust between artist and fan that is so often overlooked. But not by Charli. Instead, her film envisions a world that utilises the internet to harness unmatched creativity, as she leans into the web at a time when physicality was not permitted, inviting her fans to meet her there.

In recent years, the reputation of fans and fandoms has taken a hit. Through aspects of internet culture, such as stan Twitter, the attitude towards fans has changed. Social media has allowed fans to have a direct communication with their favourite artists, and while this interaction is treasured and allows admirers to share what different pieces of work mean to them and find a community of like-minded people that would not have been able to be formed without the presence of the internet, there's definitely a dark side. This connection has also given a voice to those who are not only open about their criticism of an artist's work, but over step boundaries with instances of musician’s personal information being leaked online, artists being harrassed and critics being doxxed. It has led to a stigma being associated with online fans and their entitlement as a consumer of a musician’s work.

Charli XCX’s relationship with her fans has similarly not always been plain sailing. Back in February of this year she took a step back from social media as fans criticised the roll-out of her now-released album Crash. Some fans had voiced opinions that they did not like certain singles, leading to Charli retaliating, and causing a debate about whether artists should get involved with hate comments — and when it's appropriate for fans to openly scrutinise creative projects.

This wasn't her first run in with the darker side of fandom. Having had her work regularly leaked, the scrapping of her 2017 project XCX following a major leak introduced a dialogue about fans and their entitlement to invading the privacy of musicians and unreleased works. The singer has previously noted her fansication with fan culture in a 2021 tweet stating that “the artist fan relationship is a really interesting one. Like, the reason one becomes a fan in the first place is because of an admiration for the artist's unique point of view and choice of creative decisions and statements.” She further explained “but sometimes, somewhere along the way a sense of ownership over the artist develops.. I guess because there’s a true connection and understanding between fans and artists.” 

With a long history of considering the topic, Alone Together feels like an obvious extension of both the album and Charli's position in pop culture. Immediately introducing us to the fan’s contribution to the album with clips from an instagram Live filmed while writing lyrics for 'Anthems', the scene shows Charli playing the beat to the viewers and explaining the melody that she is considering. It is intriguing to see her brainstorming in real time and even more fascinating to see a singer interact with their fans and treat them as equals within an otherwise clandestine creative process. It felt like we are watching Charli discussing the song with her creative team, rather than thousands of fans online. The conversation feels sincere and endearing as Charli talks to her fans with such seriousness and interest that it is easy to forget the actuality of the situation. It strips Charli of her famous persona and instead feels like she is just someone conversing with a contemporary collaborator.

The portrayal of Angels Archi and Cole is a perfect example of what the project means to Charli’s fans. Introducing Cole as they discuss their anxieties of the pandemic and their future worries of being unable to go to University, the How I’m Feeling Now project saw them make remixes of the album’s singles in their bedroom. Similarly, Archi found themself alone during the pandemic, filling time helping Charli pick an album cover. Through these simple fan stories, the theme of inclusion and unity and how Charli and her fans came together in a time of isolation makes for an inspiring story.

The metaverse also became a recurring theme within the film. First appearing through digital animations of the Angels included in the film, tech becomes a main character in this story.

It's through this topic that we're introduced to one of the other Angels included in the doc: Ronald. Based in Mexico, his story of seclusion provides an emotional moment. Maligned in his local area for the way he dresses and what he listens to, he is isolated in an area without a community or group to support his interests. His decision to host a virtual party was a turning point. Organising a zoom disco dedicated to Charli's work, Ronald talks passionately about the parties and the immense connection that he felt in those moments, finally uniting with like-minded people.

These virtual spaces allow for an exploration of self that for some is not an option in real-life. Despite Charli XCX not being part of the organisation of online parties such as these (although in this particular instance Charli did make a surprise appearance) she has helped form these communities through her creative process. The interactions and relationships that are shown between Charli’s fans in this film are genuinely heartwarming. They feel palpable and force you to acknowledge the level of interaction that the internet has allowed us with people all around the world — both the good and bad.

Not only does the film allow fans to collaborate with Charli, but it also presents a feeling of relatability and empathy. In probably the most emotionally-charged scene in the film, we see Charli speak about how just before lockdown she began therapy. She explains that her therapist gave her a task to write three sentences down, the final one being “I am good enough”. Being brought to tears by even saying the phrase, she talks vulnerably about feelings of self-doubt and how the process of being radically open through her Insta live streams and interactions with fans has helped her, as well as her supporters. Presenting a relationship built on mutual love and trust, it seems like the damage done by the earlier leaks and run in with the negative side of fanhood is all healed.

Alone Together overwhelmingly presents a picture of a healthy fandom, something that unfortunately feels like a rarity in today's landscape. Although the film was intended to offer up an insight into how How I'm Feeling Now was made, it instead displays a precious relationship between an artist and their fans. While Charli XCX needed to make this album to help her come to terms with the changing world, the effect the creation of the album had on fans, bringing together millions of angels across the world, helped so many other come to terms with it too. The effect that Charli XCX had on her fans during this time is something that is not praised or acknowledged enough: she gave people a purpose, distracted them from their own troubles and gave solace to those truly struggling. Charli XCX: Alone Together boasts a fan and artist connection like no other and highlights the best qualities of fan culture.

Charli XCX: Alone Together is out now 

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More about: Charli XCX