Last year, just a few weeks into lockdown, Charli XCX started working on her glitchy self-isolation album, how i’m feeling now. Just after its May 15 release, the musician announced Alone Together – a feature-length documentary which follows the making of the album in real-time and Charli’s unique feelings and emotions in lockdown.
Now, the film, which originally premiered at the virtual SXSW showcase last March, is officially opening up to the public – arriving to cinemas and Video On Demand in January.
The documentary – which marked the feature-length directorial debut of the music video makers Bradley & Pablo, who previously worked on Charli and Troye Sivan’s video for “2099” – provides an exposing look at Charli life during self-isolation. The film sees Charli move in with her boyfriend Huck Kwong as isolation begins (providing the backstory for how i’m feeling now’s romantic themes), while also showing her fan’s own experiences while stuck inside.
While every scene takes place within Charli’s Los Angeles house, the film also features Facetime sessions with producer A.G. Cook – who helped produce the majority of the album. Later on in the film, Charli’s managers Sam and Twiggy move in with her and Kwong to help complete the project.
“It felt only natural to document myself making this album,” the singer told Variety after announcing the film. “I don’t think I’ve ever made music in such a unique situation: being so logistically far apart from my collaborators, but going through exactly the same thing, writing songs about my relationship with my boyfriend sitting in the next room, and being so connected to my fans in such an intense and creative way.”
“Why not add to the pressure of making an extremely personal album within a five-week timeline by putting a load of cameras in my face and zooming in on my personality and insecurities too??! You know???”
Besides the documentary, Charli also recorded her pandemic thoughts, reflections, and uncertainties in a series of quarantine diary entries for Dazed across 2020. Read her final entry here.
Earlier this month, she announced her fifth album, titled CRASH. Starting off the new era, the pop star released music videos for new singles “Good Ones” and “New Shapes”, which features Caroline Polachek and Christine and the Queens. Other collaborators will include Rina Sawayama, Oneohtrix Point Never, A. G. Cook, and The 1975’s George Daniel.
Alone Together arrives at cinemas and Video on Demand on January 28. Listen to “New Shapes” below.
