Life is woman-centric

I might say something stupid
Talk to myself in the mirror
Wear these clothes as disguise
Just to re-enter the party
Door is open, let in but still outside
I look perfect for the backgroundI get nervous, sip the wine
(Charli XCX, I Might Say Something Stupid)

The name Charli XCX may mean nothing to you. She is not as famous as her more famous colleagues Beyoncé Knowles, Taylor Swift or Billie Eilish, and possibly draws a little attention to herself due to the fact that her fiance is George Daniel, the drummer of the far-famed The 1975. Ali, Charli XCX, i.e. Charlotte Emma Aitchison (b. 1992) , is a true star of London's underground dance scene, whose songs revive the unadorned breath of former illegal rave parties, glamorous disco the sensuality of Donna Summer, even the vocal stunts of Kate Bush. Her chromaesthetic sound visions, as well as a hard-line feminist stance, never cease to stir spirits, but it is original music - which this dangerous girl presents on her latest album Brat (Atlantic) – still the biggest miracle.

The daughter of a Scottish talent hunter father and a nurse and flight attendant mother, whose Indian origins are from Uganda, Charli XCX started making music as a young teenager, with a lot of support from her parents. Agile promoters from East London and talented producers soon took an interest in her, leading our heroine through five unpolished, almost punkish studio pop releases until this latest sixth, on which her creative imagination runs wild from extremely obscure influences such as Marilyn Manson and tATu, through garage rock 1960s diva The Feminine Complex, Suzy Su of Siouxsie and the Banshees and Björk, via No Doubt, Bikini Kill, The The Donnas and Avril Lavigne, to Madonna and David Bowie. If you add Dionne Warwick, Rihanna, Kanye West, Ramones, The Hives, Belinda Carlyle, Katy Perry, The Cure and Britney Spears to all that, the list of her heroes and heroines is mostly complete. And let's not forget, Charli XCX has signed some of the most famous songs for Selena Gomez, Blondie, Camila Cabello and Rita Ora.

When these influences are thrown into a skillful producer's blender - one would expect a somewhat innovative mainstream expression, a lot of playing it safe, in other words a profitable commercial copy of a copy, i.e. a strange mashup of anything and everything, specially stamped for clubs, an invasive aerobics routine, casual streaming when you get bored of super rich A-list celebs or whatever. But pay attention to the words innovative and quirky. In the case of Charli XCX, the interpretation could be upgraded to inspirational and free-spirited.

The punk influences that this whimsical artist cites in her intimate selection are by no means accidental. Because there really is something rebellious and revolutionary in her, ready for a fatalistic drive to personal ruin and shame if she can't do otherwise, but also the wisdom of that ancient womanhood, as when she contemplates her own becoming a mother in front of the whole world in the song I Think About It All the Time : "Should I stop my birth control?/'Cause my career feels so small/In the existential scheme of it all".

A young woman who introduces the theme of desired motherhood into pop music by looking at the consequences of her decision to stop using contraception in relation to her own career?! Well, when was the last time you read such an honest and touchingly introspective train of thought, in a genre that has always been considered frivolous and silly superficial? In show business, publicly calling one's own career small and insignificant compared to one's longing for a baby, while your female colleagues on the stage have been trying for decades to present their face and body as eternally young, unparalleled sexiness and always ready for all kinds of mischief... well, you know what , Charli XCX's ferocity definitely has a human face, and this song alone should win her some imaginary Grammy for honorable lyrical simplicity.

But our extravagant friend has something more to confess in the tracks from the recently released album Brat. In the one called Sympathy Is a Knife, for example, she looks out loud at her most hidden fears and nasty female vulnerability - insiders say, on the occasion of the presence of Taylor Swift near the band The 1975, at a time when this grandiose superstar was having fun with singer Matty Healy. Then say that Charli XCX is not extremely open!

Why do I want to buy a gun?
Why I want to shoot myself?
Volatile at war with my dialogue
I'd say that there was a God if they could stop this
Wild voice tearing me apart
I'm so apprehensive now
Don't wanna see her backstage at my boyfriend's show
Fingers crossed behind my back
I hope they break up quickly
(Charli XCX, Sympathy Is a Knife)

It seems that the God mentioned in the song was happy to meet her, because Swift and Hilly are no longer together, so backstage at the band The 1975, Charli XCX and the multi-billionaire American sweetheart will hardly ever meet again. Although, who knows? But isn't it fair to confess that the proximity of a perfect blonde disturbs you more than anything and how restless and colorless you feel when she occupies your space from yesterday. Really, who can measure up to Taylor Swift when it comes to establishing dominance in the men's locker room?

Charli XCX has other wild cards in her deck. Let's say, a strong friendship love for SOPHIE, the unfortunate Scottish transgender producer, musician and DJ - by the way, she performed at the Resonate festival in Belgrade 2015 - which obviously meant a lot to her in the early days of her career. In the song So I, Charli XCX expresses in the warmest rhymes her insurmountable sadness, gratitude and admiration for her inspiring mentor: "Your star burns so bright (Why did I push you away?)/ I was scared sometimes/ You had a power like a lightning strike".

Despite these deep feelings and an almost metaphysical dive into her own soul, Charli XCX actually encourages the hedonism of every disenfranchised young individual with her exceptional music. Whatever frustrations you've experienced, whether you're of mixed or mixed race, model-less and misfit in general, poorer than rich, cheated on, jealous or just plain sentimental - according to Charli XCX, you've just got a reason to have a great time . Because fun is your choice, dear ladies, and a momentary loss of self-confidence is just another energetic jerk of the rhythm on the dance floor. It is the only place where you can live your anxieties, anger, despair, joy and longing without hesitation, until you accept them with philosophical peace - as your constant, although perhaps unwanted life companions.

You should also know this about Charli XCX: she is a hyperpop star of a generation that grows up only on social networks and for whom media such as television, radio or, God forbid, printed newspapers do not exist. The directness of the lyrics and the accelerated way of communication all the time resemble short messages and comments from Instagram, TikTok, Viber, WhatsApp or the former MSN Messenger, where her stage - once username - name comes from.

The only tone of the address is straight-to-the-head, like an uncensored conversation with friends. And all this before Taylor Swift even thought to tell her fans through albums and singles what is allegedly happening to her in real life. Instead of hosting you in her boudoir, Charli XCX comes straight to your crate to throw a party to remember. Because you are the same team.

With Charli XCX, the woman does not apologize to anyone for anything, but always does the things she wants and exactly the way she wants. That's why Charli XCX is naturally femme-centric: in her world, the man is the escort, nothing revolves around him, nor ever has, and, with all due respect, that would be that. Perfectly clear to all teenage girls today.