Today, British dance-pop artist Charli XCX has released her much anticipated album, which she recorded from her home while in lock-down due to Covid-19. Titled ‘How I’m Feeling Now’, the album consists of 12 tracks including singles ‘Forever’, ‘Claws’, and ‘I Finally Understand’.

The singer documented her process online since she began writing in early April 2020; she recorded each song completely alone with only the equipment available to her while in isolation. Sharing drafts and demos as they were written, the 27-year-old has embarked upon something which most artists shy away from. But, her bold choices paid off as fans appreciated the collaborative nature of her social media posts. Fans were asked to help choose artwork, singles, and even to send in clips for the ‘Forever’ music video.

recap of the final week of “how i’m feeling now” thank u for all of your contributions & support. it’s been an amazing experience i’m so proud to have you all as my fans out tomorrow!! pic.twitter.com/6aJFCv6VXa

— Charli (@charli_xcx) May 15, 2020

Luckily, Charli was able to collaborate with fellow musicians, songwriters, and producers online to create a unique album – less than a year after her previous release, a self-titled studio album which reached number 14 on the UK Albums Chart. One primary collaborator was BJ Burton, a producer and songwriter who has worked with the likes of Miley Cyrus, Bon Iver, and Lizzo.

In an interview with the BBC, Charli said that “there are a lot of other creative people who can’t work during this time – so, for me, doing this project is also a way to support some of those people, whether that be video editors, or the painters who are doing my artwork, or 3D designers, or video directors.”

The themes of ‘How I’m Feeling Now’ revolve around love, from the feeling of falling in love on ‘Party 4 u’, to the fear of losing it on ‘Detonate’. Prior to the album’s release, Charli shared three singles which represent her experiences during isolation, two of which have gained close to 3 million plays on Spotify. ‘Claws’ and ‘Forever’ show two sides of the music and, in their respective videos, present the singer-songwriter getting creative however she can at home.

Charlie XCX began her career in 2010 when she signed to Asylum Records and released her debut album along with hit single ‘I Love It’ in collaboration with Icona Pop. She has since shared three more studio albums, toured the world, and supported artists including Taylor Swift, Ellie Goulding, and Coldplay.