Charli XCX Unleashes 'Wuthering Heights' Album: A Gothic Deep Dive

Forget the lime green; Charli XCX is diving headfirst into the stormy moors with a surprise new album, "Wuthering Heights," serving as the soundtrack to Emerald Fennell’s hotly anticipated film adaptation, complete with a legendary collaborator and a chilling new sound.

TL;DR

• Charli XCX is releasing "Wuthering Heights," a 12-song concept album inspired by Emily Brontë’s novel and Emerald Fennell’s film adaptation.
• The album features a collaboration with Velvet Underground co-founder John Cale on the lead single "House," embracing an "elegant and brutal" sonic aesthetic.
• "Wuthering Heights" the album arrives February 13, 2026, one day before the film, starring Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi, hits cinemas.

From "Brat" Summer to the Bleak Moors: A Stark Sonic Evolution

If you thought Charli Xcx’s "Brat" era, with its vibrant, culture-shaping energy, was her definitive statement, prepare for a sharp, dramatic turn. Imagine trading fluorescent green for the deep, somber hues of a tempest-swept landscape. That's precisely what Charli XCX is doing with her upcoming concept album, also titled "Wuthering Heights," a direct companion to director Emerald Fennell's new film adaptation of Emily Brontë's classic novel.

This isn't just a few soundtrack contributions; it's a full-fledged 12-song album, born from a deep dive into the novel's dark, romantic, and often brutal world. Charli explained on Substack that she spoke with Fennell, who initially "coyly suggested 'A song?'" to which Charli countered, "'An album?' because why not?" She was "fucking IN," eager to immerse herself in a "persona, into a world that felt undeniably raw, wild, sexual, gothic, British, tortured and full of actual real sentences, punctuation and grammar."

The "Elegant and Brutal" Genesis of a Sound

The entire sonic direction for "Wuthering Heights" crystallized around a single, potent phrase: "elegant and brutal." This description, originally coined by John Cale to characterize The Velvet Underground's unique sound, deeply resonated with Charli and her primary producer for the album, Finn Keane (formerly known as Easyfun). Cale's words, heard in Todd Haynes' 2021 Velvet Underground documentary, became their guiding principle throughout the creative process. Source: [MusicRadar, Charli XCX details how Velvet Underground inspired her ‘elegant and brutal’ new song for Wuthering Heights, November 13, 2025].

This commitment to being both refined and raw is immediately apparent in the album's lead single, "House," a chilling collaboration with none other than Cale himself. Charli, a longtime fan of The Velvet Underground, reached out to Cale, describing his voice as "so elegant, so brutal." She sent him some songs, and their conversation soon focused on "House," leading to Cale recording a spoken-word poem for the track. Source: [BBC Wales, Charli XCX says teaming up with music legend made her 'cry', November 16, 2025].

"House" Featuring John Cale: A Cry That Made Even Charli XCX Weep

The track "House" is a stark departure from her recent hyper-pop work. It opens with discordant cello strikes, building into a shrieking bass beat, draped in jagged strings and feedback-like noise. Cale's weathered voice delivers an ominous monologue, escalating to a screamed chorus of "I think I'm gonna die in this house." Charli confessed that hearing Cale's recording for the song "made me cry."

The music video for "House" perfectly captures this gothic mood. We see Charli in a forest house, draped in an emo-chic lace "naked dress" adorned with beaded flowers and a lace-corset ribbon accent, her long, dark curly hair (with 3-foot extensions!) flowing wildly. Cale appears, reciting his lines over her. The visuals are punctuated with classic gothic motifs: wrought-iron bed frames, eerie reflections, billowing curtains, and a single crack marring deceptively cheerful wallpaper. Source: [Hello! Magazine, Charli XCX puts a goth-chic twist on the 'naked dress' trend for new Wuthering Heights track, November 13, 2025].

"I wanted to dive into persona, into a world that felt undeniably raw, wild, sexual, gothic, British, tortured and full of actual real sentences, punctuation and grammar. Without a cigarette or a pair of sunglasses in sight, it was all totally other from the life I was currently living. I was fucking IN."

— Charli XCX on creating "Wuthering Heights" (via Substack)

The Internet Haunts Itself: "House" Becomes a TikTok Horror Sensation

The unsettling nature of "House" wasn't lost on the internet. Almost immediately after its release, TikTok users began pairing the track's sharp, escalating production with scenes from some of horror's most unsettling modern classics. Edits syncing "House" to footage from Hereditary, The Shining, and The Haunting of Hill House went viral, proving the song's inherent "elegant and brutal" power. This unexpected trend speaks volumes about the track's ability to evoke dread and psychological collapse, perfectly mirroring the dark themes of Brontë's novel. Source: [Dread Central, Scary New Charli xcx Song ‘House’ Goes Viral on TikTok With Killer Horror Movie Edits, November 12, 2025].

Example: Imagine scrolling through TikTok and suddenly the jarring strings of "House" kick in over a shot of Toni Collette's anguished face from Hereditary. The song's dissonant textures and grinding electronic pulse amplify the on-screen tension, creating a new layer of psychological horror that feels both fresh and deeply disturbing. It's a testament to Charli and Cale's creation that it can be so effectively repurposed to enhance existing terror.

"Chains of Love": An Anthemic Glimpse into Twisted Romance

Following "House," Charli dropped "Chains of Love," an anthemic, synth-powered track that debuted in the full trailer for Fennell's film. It offers a slightly different, yet equally potent, facet of the album's sound. In the trailer, as Margot Robbie's Catherine asks Jacob Elordi's Heathcliff, "Why did you leave me?" and he retorts, "Why did you betray your own heart?", Charli's soaring soprano repeats, "I know the chains of love won't break." It's a powerful narrative tool, perfectly underscoring the tragic gothic romance. Source: [Billboard, Charli xcx Puts a Gothic Twist on Wuthering Heights With New Song ‘Chains of Love’ in Film Trailer, November 13, 2025].

Emerald Fennell's Vision and the Film's Anticipated Arrival

The film itself, directed by the acclaimed Emerald Fennell (known for Saltburn), promises a primal and uncanny interpretation of Brontë’s novel. Starring Margot Robbie as Catherine Earnshaw and Jacob Elordi as Heathcliff, the adaptation aims to convey the raw passion and pain of the classic story. The film is set for release on February 14, 2026, just one day after Charli XCX's album drops.

While the casting of Robbie and Elordi has drawn some criticism from those who feel they don't visually align with the novel's character descriptions, Fennell's track record suggests a bold and unique vision. Charli's music seems perfectly poised to enhance this distinctive cinematic experience, painting the Gothic moors in a new, unsettling light.

Charli herself, in her Substack post, even mused, "This collection of songs is an album, and sure, my name’s on the credits, but is it a Charli xcx album? I don’t even know. Nor do I really care to find out." This isn't Charli XCX simply producing a standard soundtrack; it's a creative metamorphosis, a true artist embodying a new world, a "totally other from the life I was currently living." This dedication to artistic exploration, even at the cost of clear personal branding, is a compelling tradeoff for fans looking for genuine, inspired work.

Practical Takeaways for Fans

• Embrace the New Sound: Don't expect "Brat 2.0." This album is a deliberate and dramatic shift into a darker, more experimental sonic territory.
• Prepare for a Concept Experience: "Wuthering Heights" is designed to be listened to as a complete work, deeply integrated with the film's narrative and mood.
• Dive into the Lore: Re-reading Emily Brontë's novel or watching the film trailer will enhance your appreciation for Charli's musical interpretation.
• Mark Your Calendars: The album arrives on February 13, 2026, with the film following on February 14, 2026, making for a dark, romantic Valentine's Day.

Frequently Asked Questions About Charli XCX's "Wuthering Heights" Project

When does Charli XCX's "Wuthering Heights" album come out?

Charli XCX's "Wuthering Heights" album is set to be released on February 13, 2026, via Atlantic Records.

When is the "Wuthering Heights" film adaptation released?

Emerald Fennell's film adaptation of "Wuthering Heights" will be released in cinemas on February 14, 2026, the day after the album.

Who is featured on Charli XCX's "Wuthering Heights" album?

The album features a notable collaboration with John Cale, co-founder of The Velvet Underground, on the track "House." Finn Keane (formerly Easyfun) is also a primary collaborator in the production.

How many songs will be on the "Wuthering Heights" album?

Charli XCX has revealed that the "Wuthering Heights" album will contain 12 original songs, opening with "House."

Sources

• Pitchfork. "Charli XCX Announces New Album Wuthering Heights, Shares ‘Chains of Love’." November 13, 2025.
• BBC Wales. "Charli XCX says teaming up with music legend made her 'cry'." November 16, 2025.
• The Guardian. "Charli xcx: House ft John Cale review – haunt me, then! An elegant, brutal taste of the Wuthering Heights OST." November 13, 2025.
• MusicRadar. "Charli XCX details how Velvet Underground inspired her ‘elegant and brutal’ new song for Wuthering Heights." November 13, 2025.
• Hello! Magazine. "Charli XCX puts a goth-chic twist on the 'naked dress' trend for new Wuthering Heights track." November 13, 2025.
• Rolling Stone UK. "Hot New Songs: Charli XCX, Lewis Capaldi, Wasia Project and more." November 14, 2025.
• Billboard. "Charli xcx Puts a Gothic Twist on Wuthering Heights With New Song ‘Chains of Love’ in Film Trailer." November 13, 2025.
• Teen Vogue. "Everything We Know About Charli XCX's 'Wuthering Heights' Album & Movie." November 13, 2025.
• Dread Central. "Scary New Charli xcx Song ‘House’ Goes Viral on TikTok With Killer Horror Movie Edits." November 12, 2025.
• House Beautiful. "Charli XCX Trades “Brat Girl Summer” For The Gothic Melancholy Of Wuthering Heights." November 13, 2025.