Charli Xcx's "House" featuring John Cale is a sonic descent into darkness, its haunting melody woven from the threads of elegance and brutality that define the song as much as Wuthering Heights' iconic score. This isn't music for the faint-hearted; it's an unapologetic exercise in sonic intensity, with Charli Xcx unleashing agonized howls at its core like a battle cry against the night.
The track's sound is unmistakably drawn from John Cale's eerie monologue, delivered in his sonorous voice that's as recognizable as it is weathered by time. The way he weaves through the narrative is conversational at first, but ultimately becomes increasingly ominous, setting the tone for an aural journey into the depths of madness.
One can't help but feel Cale's influence on the track's sonic landscape – be it the droning strings, jagged feedback-like noise, or the crushing distortion that cements its final minute in the listener's mind. Even if Cale himself isn't credited as an instrumentalist, his musical spirit seeps into every fibre of "House", conjuring memories of his time with the Velvet Underground.
This ain't Charli Xcx's sound; it's something entirely new, a departure from her last offering Brat that speaks to the dark, gothic world she's created for Emerald Fennell's Wuthering Heights adaptation. In fact, one can almost hear the influence of Nine Inch Nails seeping into its rhythm, lending it an air of unease and foreboding.
Will "House" find a home in Fennell's cinematic vision? Time will tell, but for now, this haunting track stands as its own entity – striking, powerful, and rewarding. Rather than relying on gimmicks to catapult itself into the mainstream, Charli Xcx has simply allowed herself to be swept away by her artistic instincts.
In a world where music of horror films often leapfrog the charts around Halloween, perhaps it's no wonder that "House" felt too close to the bone for immediate release. Yet there's an undeniable appeal in this sonic journey into the heart of darkness – one that will leave listeners both unsettled and cathartically drained by its haunting melody.
The track's sound is unmistakably drawn from John Cale's eerie monologue, delivered in his sonorous voice that's as recognizable as it is weathered by time. The way he weaves through the narrative is conversational at first, but ultimately becomes increasingly ominous, setting the tone for an aural journey into the depths of madness.
One can't help but feel Cale's influence on the track's sonic landscape – be it the droning strings, jagged feedback-like noise, or the crushing distortion that cements its final minute in the listener's mind. Even if Cale himself isn't credited as an instrumentalist, his musical spirit seeps into every fibre of "House", conjuring memories of his time with the Velvet Underground.
This ain't Charli Xcx's sound; it's something entirely new, a departure from her last offering Brat that speaks to the dark, gothic world she's created for Emerald Fennell's Wuthering Heights adaptation. In fact, one can almost hear the influence of Nine Inch Nails seeping into its rhythm, lending it an air of unease and foreboding.
Will "House" find a home in Fennell's cinematic vision? Time will tell, but for now, this haunting track stands as its own entity – striking, powerful, and rewarding. Rather than relying on gimmicks to catapult itself into the mainstream, Charli Xcx has simply allowed herself to be swept away by her artistic instincts.
In a world where music of horror films often leapfrog the charts around Halloween, perhaps it's no wonder that "House" felt too close to the bone for immediate release. Yet there's an undeniable appeal in this sonic journey into the heart of darkness – one that will leave listeners both unsettled and cathartically drained by its haunting melody.
and i'm shook it's like nothing i've ever heard before, you can literally feel the darkness radiating from it 
the way charli's voice screams on that first drop gives me chills 
and john cale's eerie monologue is just too much for my anxiety 
have to give a major props to emerald fennell for pushing charli into this darker soundcape, her vision for wuthering heights was so bold anyway can't wait to see how "house" plays out in the cinematic world 
Charli Xcx's "House" is like being trapped in a Tim Burton film 
its sonic intensity will leave you breathless 
his voice weaves a narrative that's both eerie and captivating 
embracing her dark side 
this song is a departure from the norm 
. I feel like Cale's influence is EVERYWHERE on this track, even if he didn't play any instruments 
. It's def somehting new & different from her other stuff, like "Brat". I'm not sure how it'll fit w/ Emerald Fennell's Wuthering Heights adaptation yet... but for now, its just a straight-up banger 
and yeah, it might be too intense for some people's taste, but that's what makes it so compelling - it's like she's inviting you into her darkest corners and refusing to let you leave 
. The collaboration with John Cale is insane, his vocals are giving me all the chills 
. I love how she's not afraid to get weird and experimental 
, but as a standalone track, it's straight fire 
... doesn't sound like charli xcx's style at all. also, what's with the whole "haunting melody woven from threads of elegance and brutality" vibe? sounds like someone trying too hard to be poetic 