The cinematic world is abuzz with the release of Emerald Fennell’s latest endeavour, a reimagining of Wuthering Heights. While critical reception has been a mixed bag, with debates swirling around casting choices and narrative threads, there’s a unifying element that has captured the collective imagination: the highly anticipated soundtrack album by pop visionary Charli XCX. This isn’t just background music; it’s a standalone artistic statement poised to complement and elevate Fennell’s film.
Fans have already been treated to a haunting preview of the sonic landscape Charli XCX is crafting. Three tracks have emerged, offering a tantalising glimpse into the album’s mood and thematic depth. The first, ‘House’, features the legendary John Cale, promising a fusion of experimental grit and Charli’s signature pop sensibilities. Following this is the emotionally charged anthem ‘Chains of Love’, a track that speaks to the raw, unbridled passion often associated with the source material. Rounding out the initial releases is ‘Wall of Sound’, a title that hints at the immersive and powerful sonic textures fans can expect.
The initial tease of this musical project arrived in November 2025, when the Brat singer unveiled an eerie, ten-second clip on social media. The visual depicted Charli XCX lying down, her gaze fixed on the camera, while unseen hands pressed against her temples. This unsettling imagery then shifted to a raven, its foot bound by a leash, a potent symbol that immediately sparked intrigue and speculation about the film’s narrative and its musical accompaniment. A disembodied voice asking, “Can I speak to you privately for a moment?” further amplified the sense of mystery and foreboding.
The Full Wuthering Heights Soundtrack Tracklist Revealed
The complete lineup of tracks for Charli XCX’s Wuthering Heights soundtrack has been officially unveiled, offering a comprehensive look at the sonic journey she’s curated:
- House (featuring John Cale)
- Wall of Sound
- Dying For You
- Always Everywhere
- Chains of Love
- Out of Myself
- Open Up
- Seeing Things
- Altars
- Eyes of the World (featuring Sky Ferreira)
- My Reminder
- Funny Mouth
Charli XCX on Inspiration and Creative Process
Charli XCX has offered fans an intimate look into the genesis of this ambitious project. In a candid Instagram Story, she elaborated on her creative journey and the profound inspiration drawn from Emily Brontë’s classic novel. “After being so in the depths of my previous album I was excited to escape into something entirely new, entirely opposite,” she explained, highlighting her desire for a radical shift in creative direction.
Her interpretation of Wuthering Heights is multifaceted, delving into the core emotions and atmospheric elements of the story. “When I think of Wuthering Heights I think of many things. I think of passion and pain. I think of England. I think of the Moors, I think of the mud and the cold. I think of determination and grit,” she shared, painting a vivid picture of the bleak yet powerful landscape that informed her musical choices.
A significant source of inspiration for Charli XCX was Todd Haynes’ 2021 documentary on The Velvet Underground. She was particularly struck by John Cale’s assertion that his band’s music had to be “both elegant and brutal.” This seemingly simple yet profound phrase resonated deeply with her, becoming a guiding principle for the soundtrack. The Velvet Underground’s own iconic tracks, such as ‘Sunday Morning’, ‘There She Goes Again’, ‘Venus In Furs’, and ‘Heroin’, undoubtedly contributed to the sonic palette she was exploring. “I got really stuck on that phrase,” she admitted, underscoring its pivotal role in shaping the album’s direction.
A Coveted Collaboration: Charli XCX and John Cale
The distinctive voice featured in the initial snippet belongs to none other than John Cale himself, a pivotal figure in the avant-garde music scene and a founding member of The Velvet Underground. His collaboration with Charli XCX on this project is a testament to her ability to bridge generations and genres. Charli recounted the fascinating process of securing this legendary artist for her soundtrack.
“When working on music for this film, ‘elegant and brutal’ was a phrase I kept coming back to,” Charli revealed in her Instagram Story, reiterating the phrase’s significance. “When the summer ended I was still ruminating on John’s words. So I decided to reach out to him to get his opinion on the songs that his phrase had so deeply inspired, but also to see whether he might want to collaborate on any.”
The connection was made, and a phone call ensued, leaving Charli XCX utterly captivated by Cale’s presence. “We got connected, we spoke on the phone and wow.. that voice, so elegant, so brutal,” she enthused. She then proceeded to share the songs with him, and their conversation soon focused on the track ‘House’. Their discussion evolved into the concept of a poem, with Cale ultimately recording a contribution that Charli described as “something that only John could do. And it was…well, it made me cry.”
The ‘Apple’ singer concluded her reflection with a heartfelt expression of gratitude. “I feel so lucky to have been able to work with John on this song. I’ve been so excited to share it with you all, sitting quietly in anticipation. And on Monday, it’s yours.”
The film Wuthering Heights, starring Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi, is slated for release on February 14, 2026. This soundtrack promises to be more than just a musical backdrop; it’s an artistic extension of Charli XCX’s evolving creative vision, set to capture the raw emotion and untamed spirit of a literary masterpiece.
