Forever (Charli XCX song)

Last updated

"Forever"
Charli XCX - Forever.jpg
Designed by Regards Coupables
Single by Charli XCX
from the album How I'm Feeling Now
Released9 April 2020 (2020-04-09)
Recorded6–8 April 2020 [1]
Genre
Length4:03
Label Atlantic
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Charli XCX singles chronology
"Ringtone (remix)"
(2020)		"Forever"
(2020)		"Claws"
(2020)
Audio video
"Forever" on YouTube

"Forever" is a song written and recorded by British singer Charli XCX from her fourth album, How I'm Feeling Now (2020). Charli XCX produced the song with A. G. Cook and BJ Burton, and it was released on 9 April 2020, by Atlantic as the lead single from the album. "Forever" is a pop, synth-pop, and psychedelic song that features dark wave and electronic influences.

Contents

Background and release

On 7 April 2020, Charli XCX shared snippets of "Forever" on social media. [2] On 8 April 2020, Charli XCX uploaded three photos of herself, shot by her boyfriend, to her Instagram and Twitter account and asked fans to vote for one photo to be the cover. On 9 April 2020, Charli XCX announced that "Forever" would be released at 07:30 PM BST / 11:30 AM PST and premiere on BBC Radio 1 as Annie Mac 's Hottest Record in the World. [3] She also announced three official artworks for the single were commissioned. [4] One version was created by American artist Seth Bogart and used on Spotify; one version by French artist Regards Coupables, used on YouTube, Amazon Music [5] and Deezer; [6] and one version by American singer-songwriter Caroline Polachek, used on Apple Music. The official music video for "Forever", featuring clips sent in from fans, was released on 17 April 2020. [7]

Composition

"Forever" was written by Charli XCX and produced by A. G. Cook and BJ Burton. It runs for four minutes and three seconds. [8] Musically, it is a pop, [9] psychedelic, [10] and synth-pop [11] song that features dark wave [12] and electronic [13] influences. The song also features "lo-fi beats and luminous synths" with Charli singing about "an everlasting love that will remain even if the relationship fades away or if they're not physically together". [14] [15]

Critical reception

Trey Alston from MTV called the song a "robotic ballad" that was about "sheer adoration, to the most mechanical degree", in addition to writing that "if toasters listened to songs when they made love, [this song] would be on their playlist. Alston described the opening of the song as a "harsh opening of boiling synths [transitioning] into a slightly smoother sore throat of a cyborg who's doing its best impression of a lovestruck human". Alston also felt that the sound was a "Terminator-like landscape". [16] Justin Curto from Vulture called the song "muted" and "somewhat dissonant", that "would sound right at home tacked on the end of Charli ". [17] Lake Schatz of Consequence of Sound described the song as an "emotional number" that "[wrestles] with intimacy issues — especially during this time of social distancing". [18] Variety ’s Jem Aswad felt that the song "bears many of the hallmarks of the prolific artist’s work over the past couple of year", including Charli’s two mixtapes. Calling the melody "indelible", Aswad mentions Cook’s trademark "echoing synthesizers" and how Charli uses auto tune as an "instrument in itself rather than as pitch correction". [19] Michael Love Michael of Paper, felt that the message of the song was about " reminiscing about the good times with an ex", and while Charli was "singing about the future, the production and overall feel of 'Forever' couldn't sound more relevant". [20] James from Stereogum described the song as "perfectly goofy and giddy", "something that sounds ephemeral but feels like it will last forever". James also felt that there was "nothing slapdash" about the track, writing that the lyrics talked about a "part of the compressed reality we’re all experiencing: being trapped in close to someone that you care about" as the single "switches between abrasive and elated", "[choosing] to embrace happiness in the moment". [21] On their year-end list, Pitchfork named "forever" as one of the best songs of 2020. [22]

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from Tidal. [23]

Charts

Chart (2020)Peak
position
New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ) [24] 38

Release history

RegionDateFormatLabelRef.
Various9 April 2020 Atlantic [25]
Australia13 April 2020 Contemporary hit radio Warner [26]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Charli XCX</span> English singer and songwriter (born 1992)

Charlotte Emma Aitchison, known professionally as Charli XCX, is an English singer and songwriter. Born in Cambridge and raised in Start Hill, Essex, she began posting songs on Myspace in 2008, which led to her discovery by a promoter who invited her to perform at warehouse raves. In 2010, she signed a recording contract with Asylum Records, releasing a series of singles and mixtapes throughout 2011 and 2012.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nuclear Seasons</span> 2011 single by Charli XCX

"Nuclear Seasons" is a song by British singer Charli XCX taken from her debut extended play (EP), You're the One (2012), and was later included on her debut studio album, True Romance (2013). It was released as the EP's second single on 21 October 2011 through This Is Music, Atlantic, and Warner Music UK. "Nuclear Seasons" was written by Charli, Justin Raisen, and Ariel Rechtshaid, while the latter produced the song.

<i>True Romance</i> (Charli XCX album) 2013 studio album by Charli XCX

True Romance is the debut studio album by English singer Charli XCX. It was released on 12 April 2013 by Asylum and Atlantic Records. Originally scheduled for release in April 2012, the album's release was delayed for a full year and had been in the making since early 2010 when Charli met with producer Ariel Rechtshaid in Los Angeles. To promote the album's release, Charli embarked on a three-date UK promotional tour in April 2013.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Charli XCX discography</span>

English singer Charli XCX has released six studio albums, four mixtapes, three extended plays, one live album, one soundtrack album, two DJ mixes, 48 singles, and 13 promotional singles. In 2007, XCX began recording her debut album on a loan granted by her parents. Titled 14, after her age at the time, it received only a restricted public release. Two singles, "!Franchesckaar!" and double A-side "Emelline" / "Art Bitch", were released in late 2008 under Orgy Music. In June 2012, Charli XCX released her first mixtape, titled Heartbreaks and Earthquakes, a one-track file consisting of eight songs. A second mixtape, titled Super Ultra, was released in November of the same year. Charli XCX's major-label debut studio album, True Romance, was released in April 2013, and peaked at number 85 on the UK Albums Chart. While failing to appear on any main album charts internationally, the album reached number five on the Heatseekers Albums chart in the United States and number 11 on the ARIA Hitseekers chart in Australia. The album spawned five singles—"Stay Away", "Nuclear Seasons", "You're the One", "You " and "What I Like". In 2012, Charli XCX was featured on Icona Pop's song "I Love It", which peaked at number one in the UK and reached the top 10 in various countries including the US, Canada, Ireland and Germany.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Break the Rules (Charli XCX song)</span> 2014 single by Charli XCX

"Break the Rules" is a song by English singer Charli XCX from her second studio album, Sucker (2014). It was released on 19 August 2014 as the album's second single. In a 2020 interview with Red Bull, XCX stated that she regrets recording the track.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">A. G. Cook</span> British music producer (born 1990)

Alexander Guy Cook is an English music producer and the head of the UK record label PC Music. Cook released his first solo singles in 2014. He has also collaborated with PC Music artists such as Hannah Diamond, GFOTY, EASYFUN, Danny L Harle and felicita. He formed the one-off project QT with musician Sophie and performance artist Hayden Dunham, producing the 2014 single "Hey QT".

"3AM (Pull Up)" is a song recorded by English singer Charli XCX, written for her mixtape Number 1 Angel (2017). The song features Danish singer and songwriter MØ. The song received positive reviews from critics, with some considering it a highlight of the mixtape.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Boys (Charli XCX song)</span> 2017 single by Charli XCX

"Boys" is a single by English singer Charli XCX, released on 26 July 2017 by Asylum Records and Atlantic Records UK. The song was originally intended to be the second single from her then-upcoming third studio album. However, the song became a stand-alone single when the projected third album was leaked on the internet and cancelled. The song makes use of a sample from the Nintendo video game Super Mario Bros.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2099 (song)</span> 2019 promotional single by Charli XCX featuring Troye Sivan

"2099" is a song by British singer Charli XCX featuring Australian singer Troye Sivan. It was released on 10 September 2019 as the fourth and final promotional single from Charli XCX's third studio album Charli (2019). The song was produced by A. G. Cook and Ö.

<i>Charli</i> (album) 2019 studio album by Charli XCX

Charli is the third studio album by British singer Charli XCX. It was released through Asylum and Atlantic Records UK on 13 September 2019. Charli was preceded by the singles "1999" with Troye Sivan, "Blame It on Your Love" featuring Lizzo, and "Gone" with Christine and the Queens. Charli was also promoted by the promotional singles "Cross You Out" featuring Sky Ferreira, "Warm" featuring Haim, "February 2017" featuring Clairo and Yaeji, and "2099" also featuring Sivan. Musically, it has been described as avant-pop, electropop, futurepop, and hyperpop.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gone (Charli XCX and Christine and the Queens song)</span> 2019 single by Charli XCX and Christine and the Queens

"Gone" is a song by British singer Charli XCX and French singer Christine and the Queens. It was released on 17 July 2019 as the third single from Charli XCX's third studio album Charli. The music video was released alongside the track.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cross You Out</span> 2019 single by Charli XCX featuring Sky Ferreira

"Cross You Out" is a song by British singer Charli XCX featuring American singer Sky Ferreira, released as the first promotional single from Charli XCX's third album, Charli, on 16 August 2019. A. G. Cook and Lotus IV produced it.

<i>How Im Feeling Now</i> 2020 studio album by Charli XCX

how i'm feeling now is the fourth studio album by British singer Charli XCX, released on 15 May 2020. Released eight months after her previous LP, Charli (2019), the album was conceived in the span of six weeks during the COVID-19 lockdown in a "do it yourself" collaborative process with her fans. Charli XCX, A. G. Cook and BJ Burton served as the album's executive producers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Claws (song)</span> 2020 single by Charli XCX

"Claws" is a song by English singer-songwriter Charli XCX. It was released as the second single from her fourth studio album, How I'm Feeling Now, on 23 April 2020. Like the previous single, "Forever", the song has three official cover artworks, designed by Timothy Luke, Naked Cherry and Sara Cwynar. "Claws" was named one of the best songs of 2020 by NME and Rolling Stone.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Finally Understand</span> 2020 single by Charli XCX

"I Finally Understand" is a song by British singer Charli XCX, released on 7 May 2020 as the third single from her fourth studio album, How I'm Feeling Now. As with all previous singles from the album, three official covers were released for the song. The song was first announced on Charli XCX's Twitter on 2 May 2020.

Hyperpop is a loosely defined electronic music movement and microgenre that predominantly originated in the United Kingdom during the early 2010s. It is characterised by a maximalist or exaggerated take on popular music, and artists within the microgenre typically integrate pop and avant-garde sensibilities while drawing on elements commonly found in electronic, hip hop, and dance music.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Spinning (song)</span> 2021 single by No Rome, Charli XCX and The 1975

"Spinning" is a song by Filipino recording artist No Rome, English musician Charli XCX and band the 1975. The song was written by Andrew Wyatt, Charli XCX, No Rome and the 1975 members Matty Healy and George Daniel, while the production was handled by the latter three. It was released as a standalone single by Dirty Hit on 4 March 2021. Creation of the song began in 2018 when the producers developed its chorus, beat and production. Charli XCX received the song the following year, writing and recording her portion in one night. The singer later recorded vocals with Healy and Daniel in Sydney, while the song was completed remotely in early 2021.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">New Shapes</span> 2021 single by Charli XCX featuring Christine and the Queens and Caroline Polachek

"New Shapes" is a song by English singer Charli XCX, featuring French singer Christine and the Queens and American singer Caroline Polachek. It was released on 4 November 2021 as the second single from XCX's fifth studio album, Crash (2022). The song has been described as an '80s-inspired synth-pop, indie pop, and electro-funk track.

<i>Crash</i> (Charli XCX album) 2022 studio album by Charli XCX

Crash is the fifth studio album by British singer Charli XCX, released on 18 March 2022. It was her last album to be released under her record contract with Asylum Records. Charli announced the album title, release date, and artwork on 4 November 2021. Her website was also updated with information about the album's 2022 tour. The album was preceded by the four singles "Good Ones", "New Shapes" featuring Christine and the Queens and Caroline Polachek, "Beg for You" featuring Rina Sawayama, "Baby" and two promotional singles, "Every Rule" and "Used to Know Me", the latter released as the fifth single in April 2022.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Baby (Charli XCX song)</span> 2022 single by Charli XCX

"Baby" is a song by English singer Charli XCX, released on 1 March 2022. It was released as the fourth single from her fifth studio album Crash (2022). The track is an '80s-inspired post-disco, dance-pop, and funk-pop track with new jack swing and electro-funk elements. It has received positive reviews for its catchiness and sultry production.

References

  1. ↑ "Listen to Charli XCX's New Song "forever"". Pitchfork . 9 April 2020. Retrieved 9 April 2020.
  2. ↑ Tom Skinner (7 April 2020). "Listen to a clip of Charli XCX's new song 'Forever' from upcoming quarantine album". NME . Retrieved 8 April 2020.
  3. ↑ @charli_xcx (9 April 2020). "💓 FOREVER DROPS AT 7.30PM BST/11:30AM PST PREMIERING AS HOTTEST RECORD ON @ANNIEMAC ON @BBCR1!!!!! ARTWORK BY @SETHBOGARTOK!!! 2 MORE OFFICIAL ARTWORKS TO COME LATER IN THE DAY 💓 THANK YOU FOR HELPING ME CREATE THE FIRST SONG FROM "HOW I'M FEELING NOW" 💓" (Tweet). Retrieved 9 April 2020– via Twitter.
  4. ↑ @charli_xcx (8 April 2020). "fyi i am making multiple official artworks for every song I release before the album, maybe even multiple album covers too. the "forever" artwork will be based of the photo we selected together and will be visually interpreted by @SethBogartOK @carolineplz and @regardscoupable 💓" (Tweet). Retrieved 9 April 2020– via Twitter.
  5. ↑ "forever - Single by Charli XCX on Amazon Music". Amazon Music . Retrieved 10 April 2020.,
  6. ↑ "forever - Charli XCX - Deezer". Deezer . 9 April 2020. Retrieved 14 April 2020.
  7. ↑ Shaffer, Claire (17 April 2020). "Charli XCX's 'Forever' Video Is a Shining Document of Quarantine Life". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 18 April 2020.
  8. ↑ "forever - Single by Charli XCX on Spotify". Spotify . Retrieved 9 April 2020.
  9. ↑ "Charli XCX Shares 'Forever' From Upcoming Quarantine Album". Spin. 9 April 2020.
  10. ↑ Pollard, Alexandra (15 May 2020). "Charli XCX review, How I'm Feeling Now: A brash, adventurous lockdown album". The Independent. Archived from the original on 18 May 2020. Retrieved 15 May 2020.
  11. ↑ "Listen to Charli XCX's new self-isolation single 'Forever'". NME . 9 April 2020.
  12. ↑ "Charli XCX Returns to the Raves on "Forever," The First Track From how i'm feeling now". pastemagazine.com. 9 April 2020.
  13. ↑ "Charli XCX - Forever". 9 April 2020.
  14. ↑ Leung, Gabrielle (9 April 2020). "Charli XCX Drops Lovestruck "Forever" Single Recorded in Quarantine". Hyperbeast. Retrieved 11 April 2020.
  15. ↑ Cooper, Marcus (9 April 2020). "Charli XCX Loves You 'Forever' (Even While Social Distancing) in New Single". Billboard. Retrieved 11 April 2020.
  16. ↑ Alston, Trey. "Charli XCX's First Song She Made In Quarantine Is Here — And It's Wild". MTV News. Archived from the original on 11 April 2020. Retrieved 11 April 2020.
  17. ↑ Curto, Justin (9 April 2020). "And on the Third Day, Charli XCX Dropped Her Quarantine Single". Vulture. Retrieved 11 April 2020.
  18. ↑ Schatz, Lake (9 April 2020). "Charli XCX delivers new song "Forever" from quarantine: Stream". Consequence of Sound. Retrieved 11 April 2020.
  19. ↑ Aswad, Jem (9 April 2020). "Charli XCX Drops New Song, 'Forever,' From Forthcoming Quarantine Album (Listen)". Variety. Retrieved 11 April 2020.
  20. ↑ Michael, Michael Love (10 April 2020). "Bops Only: 10 Songs You Need to Start Your Weekend Right". PAPER. Retrieved 11 April 2020.
  21. ↑ James (10 April 2020). "The 5 Best Songs Of The Week". Stereogum. Retrieved 11 April 2020.
  22. ↑ "The 100 Best Songs of 2020". Pitchfork. 7 December 2020. Retrieved 7 December 2020.
  23. ↑ "Credits / forever / Charli XCX – TIDAL". Tidal (service) . Retrieved 10 April 2020.
  24. ↑ "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. 20 April 2020. Retrieved 18 April 2020.
  25. ↑ "forever - Single by Charli XCX on Apple Music". Apple Music . Archived from the original on 10 April 2020. Retrieved 9 April 2020.
  26. ↑ "Singles to Radio". The Music Network . Retrieved 13 April 2020.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.