"I think the dancefloor is dead, so now we're making rock music," she sings on an upcoming track. The first single, simply titled "Rock Music," was released in May 2026, accompanied by a video directed by the creative duo TORSO. The release continues an "absurdly prolific stretch" for Charli following the endless afterlife of BRAT, according to SPIN magazine.
The "Spike Stent" version refers to the tracks mixed and mastered by the legendary engineer Mark "Spike" Stent
The film has been described as "a hyperpop faux documentary commenting upon the intense response to her album Brat , and Charli's fickle relationship with stardom". Variety, however, noted that the term "mockumentary" needs to be "instantly dispelled" when applied to The Moment , suggesting a more complex, satirical layer at play.
The "Spike Stent Mixes" of tracks like "Roll With Me," "No Angel," and "Queen Lizzy" are distinct from the demo versions. Where Charli’s earlier demos often leaned into raw, gritty electronic textures, Stent’s mixes brought a "high-gloss lacquer" to the tracks. His engineering provided the clarity and punch required for radio play, smoothing out the jagged edges of the PC Music influence without stripping away the experimental spirit. Charli XCX XCX WORLD -Spike Stent- - This Act...
XCX WORLD represents a fundamental shift in Charli XCX's approach to music. Departing from traditional album structures and conventions, this ambitious project seeks to create an immersive experience that transcends the confines of a single record. By embracing a more experimental and avant-garde methodology, Charli XCX is inviting fans to join her on a journey of sonic exploration.
A track that perfectly captured the "liquid" pop sound Charli was pioneering at the time.
XCX WORLD is a sonic odyssey that defies easy categorization. The project is characterized by its use of bold synths, driving beats, and catchy hooks, all woven together to create a sense of tension and release. Lyrically, Charli XCX explores themes of love, identity, and empowerment, her words imbued with a sense of vulnerability and honesty. "I think the dancefloor is dead, so now
was commissioned to mix and master a set of tracks for what was then intended to be Charli's third studio album.
Performed on Jimmy Kimmel Live! but left unreleased in studio form. SOPHIE, Stargate Reference Mixed
In late 2016, Spike Stent was reportedly paid to mix 12 tracks for the album. His role was to provide the "final" commercial sheen to the tracks produced by AG Cook and SOPHIE. However, his workstation or associated Google Drive files became the target of a hacking incident in August 2017. The "Spike Stent" version refers to the tracks
Spike Stent's influence extends well beyond his individual mixing credits. In 2025, he launched , an innovative AI-powered mixing plug-in designed to bring his expertise to a much wider audience by functioning inside a DAW. He has also established a scholarship at the University of West London to support emerging mixing talent and recently visited the London College of Music to discuss the future of mixing.
This article explores the full story of XCX World, from its creation to its cancellation, its enduring legacy in Charli XCX's work, and the crucial role of figures like Spike Stent in shaping a moment that the "Angels" will never forget.