Charli XCX has shared her reflective new single ‘Camera’, accompanied by an Aidan Zamiri-directed video starring Vincent Cassel. The track serves as a poignant exploration of the artist's internal dialogue as she navigates the dual pressures of her flourishing careers in music and film.
The song is the latest preview of her upcoming album, Music, Fashion, Film, which is set for release this Friday (July 24) via Atlantic. It follows the previously released singles ‘Rock Music’, ‘SS26’, and ‘Wink Wink’.
‘Camera’ marks a shift in tone for the artist, offering a restrained, mid-tempo slice of guitar-led electronic pop. Moving away from the harder club sounds that defined her Brat era, Charli opts for a hazier, more personal aesthetic here. Lyrically, she confronts her insecurities regarding her transition into acting, singing: "It makes me question what I’m doing / Do I wanna make music / Am I being fucking stupid / If I try to be a girl on the screen when I’m turning 34?"
The accompanying music video features Vincent Cassel as an actor struggling on a film set, while Charli takes on the role of director from behind a massive studio camera. The visual narrative captures Cassel’s growing frustration, culminating in a striking reference to his iconic pose from the 1995 film La Haine, as he points a finger gun at his own head.
Cassel, who rose to international prominence through his performance in La Haine, has built a storied career with roles in Irréversible, Eastern Promises, Black Swan, Ocean’s Twelve, and Jason Bourne.
Director Aidan Zamiri continues his longstanding creative partnership with Charli, having previously helmed the videos for ‘360’, the Billie Eilish-featuring ‘Guess’, ‘Rock Music’, and ‘Wink Wink’. Zamiri’s influence extends to the album’s aesthetic, as he also shot the black-and-white artwork for Music, Fashion, Film, which features appearances from John Cale, Marc Jacobs, and Martin Scorsese.
Charli recently debuted ‘Camera’ live during an intimate Brooklyn pop-up show, where she also performed unreleased tracks ‘Playboy Bunny’ and ‘Take Away The Music’ alongside special guests Kim Petras, Clairo, and Underscores. Following her upcoming headline performance at Reading & Leeds, she will embark on a North American arena tour this September.