Charli XCX and Lorde are embarking on a musical journey that transcends boundaries, crafting a remix that echoes their shared passion for music and overcoming past misunderstandings. Following the Chancellor of Brat Summer's release of the intricate "Girl, So Confusing," a heartfelt exploration of complex emotions towards an unnamed pop counterpart, XCX ingeniously recruited Lorde for a remix that undeniably acknowledged the inspiration behind the lyrics—none other than the New Zealand-bred "Royals" sensation herself.
In a stunning turn of events, XCX captivated her audience during a recent Madison Square Garden stop on her joint Sweat tour with Troye Sivan, as she unexpectedly brought Lorde onstage to perform the now-iconic track. The scene unfolded like a dream come true, captured in fan-shared footage, with XCX, clad in an all-white ensemble, belting out the opening lines at the rear of the stage. "Let me hear you!" she exclaimed, igniting a roar from the crowd, as Lorde, a striking contrast in all-black attire, emerged at the forefront, seamlessly launching into her verse.
As the stage lights flickered, the two forces united, trading lyrics with a profound question echoing through the arena: "How do you feel being a girl?" Their gazes locked, they sang in harmony, ultimately embracing as the song reached its crescendo. "Make some noise!" XCX exhorted, embracing Lorde tightly at the conclusion, symbolizing the healing of their past rift.
The "Girl, So Confusing" narrative, which debuted with the Brat album in June, initially sparked fan speculation, with XCX detailing a tumultuous emotional entanglement with another artist. The song's lyrics hinted at feelings of jealousy and disappointment, coupled with aborted collaborative efforts marred by awkward encounters. Rumors swirled, linking the song to Lorde, especially after listeners drew parallels between XCX's "come to my party and put your hands up" line and Lorde's iconic "Team" refrain about "throwing hands up in the air." The similarity in their appearance, particularly their hair, further fueled speculation, recalling a 2014 incident where XCX and Lorde were mistaken for each other.
On the remix, Lorde confessed to being "speechless" upon receiving a raw voice note from XCX, baring her soul about their relationship. In her verse, Lorde vowed to "work it out on the remix," confessing her struggles with self-image and fear of being in the spotlight. "You always say, 'let's go out,' but then I cancel last minute. I was so lost in my head and scared to be in your pictures, because for the last couple years, I've been at war with my body," she sang poignantly. "I never thought for a second my voice was in your head."
XCX's creative prowess extends beyond this collaboration, as she has also unveiled remixed Brat tracks featuring other notable guests, such as Billie Eilish on "Guess" and Troye Sivan on "Talk Talk," further solidifying her reputation as a force to be reckoned with in the music industry.
