Key Highlights
- Charli XCX collaborates with John Cale on the song “House” for the upcoming film adaptation of Wuthering Heights.
- The project was inspired by a phrase from Cale’s description of the Velvet Underground’s music as “elegant and brutal.”
- The video for “House” features Charli XCX and Cale in a remote house, creating an eerie atmosphere with spoken-word poetry.
- Charli XCX is also working on several other film projects including Faces of Death, I Want Your Sex, The Gallerist, 100 Nights of Hero, Sacrifice, and Erupcja.
New Musical Collaboration Between Charli XCX and John Cale for Wuthering Heights Soundtrack
Charli XCX has teamed up with legendary musician John Cale to create a trippy video for their new collaborative song “House.” This project is part of the soundtrack for director Emerald Fennell’s upcoming film adaptation of Emily Brontë’s classic novel, Wuthering Heights. The collaboration was inspired by Cale’s description of the Velvet Underground’s music as “elegant and brutal,” a phrase that has deeply influenced XCX’s creative process.
Collaboration Origins
In a note to her fans, Charli XCX explained how she first became intrigued by John Cale after watching The Velvet Underground documentary. She wrote, “One thing that stuck with me was how John Cale described a key sonic requirement of the Velvet Underground: That any song had to be both ‘elegant and brutal.’ I got really stuck on that phrase.” This idea led her to reach out to Cale, who she hoped could offer his insight into the music for Fennell’s film project. After sending him some songs, including an initial take of “House,” they began discussing the concept further.
Video Concept and Production
The video for “House” takes viewers to a remote house where Charli XCX and Cale are isolated together. The unsettling atmosphere is enhanced by Cale’s spoken-word poetry, which includes lines like, “Can I speak to you privately for a moment? / I just want to explain / Explain the circumstances I find myself in.” The eerie setting and poetic delivery create an intriguing blend of horror and introspection, mirroring both the themes of Wuthering Heights and Cale’s own artistic vision.
Broader Project Context
The song “House” is just one piece of a larger musical project for Charli XCX. She has already been working on several other film projects, including Daniel Goldhaber’s Faces of Death, Gregg Araki’s I Want Your Sex, Cathy Yan’s The Gallerist, Julia Jackman’s 100 Nights of Hero, Romain Gavras’ Sacrifice, and Pete Ohs’ Erupcja. These diverse projects showcase Charli XCX’s versatility as an artist and her willingness to explore various creative endeavors outside of traditional music releases.
The collaboration with John Cale not only adds a unique artistic dimension to the Wuthering Heights soundtrack but also highlights the enduring relevance of classic rock musicians in contemporary pop culture. As the film adaptation approaches its release, fans and industry professionals alike are eager to see how this partnership will contribute to the overall narrative and emotional depth of Fennell’s vision.
