SOTW: “Wall of Sound” by Charli XCX

February 4th, 2026 by Ellie Walsh

First Song of the Week for Spring Semester: Charli XCX’s “Wall of Sound” 🔊 

Review by: Mia Ciccarelle

Released: January 16th, 2026

Rating: 9/10

RIYL: Lorde, Billie Eilish

Review: 

Charlotte Aitchison, known by her stage name of Charli XCX, is an England born hyperpop artist. She began her journey with music at the age of 16, when she began posting her music on MySpace. After releasing a few albums and working on collaborations, Charli and her marketing genius struck gold with the release of her 2024 album, “brat”. The album became a symbol in pop culture, even leading the warm weather to be nicknamed “brat summer”. Charli XCX is known for her style and risky experimental tracks. At the start of 2026 she released her single, “Wall of Sound”, as a promotion for her upcoming movie, “The Moment” and new album “Wuthering Heights”.

​“Wall of Sound” is drastically different in my opinion from the music she has previously released, but that makes the song feel so vulnerable and honest. Charli XCX explores the sensation of feeling trapped and held back by her own anxiety. The song is led by dramatic instrumentals that, combined with the layered vocals, give the tune a euphoric feeling. During the bridge, the song and its instrumentals, crescendo to imitate the overwhelming pressure she feels. The vocals often repeat over each other, echo, and slowly fade out, creating an atmosphere that the listener can feel a part of. I enjoy listening to this song while cleaning, studying, or really just doing anything. It is a very encapsulating song that draws the listener to feel the weight of emotion.