Charli XCX recently shared insights into her collaboration with Ariana Grande on the remix of her song “Sympathy Is a Knife.” In an exclusive clip from her interview with Zane Lowe on Apple Music, Charli, 32, reflected on how her perspective has evolved since the release of her album Brat.
During the conversation, Charli explained that the original version of “Sympathy Is a Knife” was written at a time when she was in a different place emotionally and professionally. “I think what’s interesting about the remix album is I was writing the original record when I was in a very different position than I am post the release of Brat working on the remix album,” she said. “So my perspective has changed a lot.”
The release of Brat catapulted Charli into the spotlight, presenting new challenges as she navigates public scrutiny. “From where I was to now, I’m definitely finding more than ever that my words are being picked apart, taken out of context,” she noted. “I offend a lot more people by doing exactly the same things. Nothing groundbreaking here, but I suppose because no one really cared too much before what I was doing on a personal day-to-day level.”
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This shift in her public profile has given Charli a newfound empathy for other artists who face similar pressures. “It’s hard. It’s hard to be constantly scrutinized for things that you have said,” she remarked. “It’s hard for your words to be taken out of context, and then really kind of feel that you just can’t defend yourself because that would open a whole other can of worms.”
The remix of “Sympathy Is a Knife” highlights Charli’s understanding that each artist has their unique experiences and struggles. “You are only really knowledgeable about your own position,” she said, acknowledging the challenges that come with success. “But it’s hard to complain. I had heard that Ari wanted to do something, and I was like, this is somebody who definitely knows this feeling more so than me.”
Charli expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to collaborate with Grande, stating, “When she wanted to kind of take this phrase, it’s a knife, obviously, we’re so lucky and blessed to be in the situation that we are in — all artists who are able to make music at the level that they’re making it financially support themselves from creating art. It’s like we are lucky because not all artists get that.”
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The full interview with Zane Lowe will be available on Tuesday, October 8, at 1 p.m. ET on Apple Music.
In addition to her work with Grande, Charli is currently on her Sweat Tour alongside Troye Sivan. She recently unveiled the full track list for her upcoming remix album on Instagram, featuring a star-studded lineup that includes Robyn, Yung Lean, Billie Eilish, and The 1975. The remix album is set to be released on October 11, alongside her new project Brat, which promises to be a departure while still retaining its core identity.
The promotion for the remix album has been visually striking, with billboards around the world displaying guest names in a bold Brat font against a vibrant lime green background.
Charli has also been active in releasing new music videos, including a recent collaboration with Billie Eilish on the “Guess” remix, and a video for “Talk Talk,” featuring Sivan. Additionally, she has released remixes for “Von Dutch” with Addison Rae and A.G. Cook, as well as “Girl, So Confusing,” which features Lorde.
