XCX World is the unofficial, fan-given title for the scrapped third studio album by English singer-songwriter Charli XCX. Originally intended for release around September 2017, the project was famously shelved by Atlantic Records after a massive hacking incident. The Spike Stent Connection
The Spike Stent (Mark "Spike" Stent) version of the unreleased XCX WORLD project represents the most "finalized" form of Charli XCX’s scrapped third studio album. In late 2016, Stent was commissioned and paid by Atlantic Records to mix and master a selection of tracks intended for a formal release, originally slated for October 2016. The Mixing Engagement Charli XCX XCX WORLD -Spike Stent- - This Act...
IntroductionThe unreleased project colloquially known as XCX World remains one of modern pop’s most famous "lost" records. Following the experimental Vroom Vroom EP, this album was meant to bridge the gap between mainstream pop and the avant-garde "hyperpop" sound. A central figure in its final production stage was Spike Stent, a veteran mixer whose involvement signaled the label's intent for a polished, global release. XCX World is the unofficial, fan-given title for
However, experimental production can often sound messy on standard speakers. This is where Stent came in. His role was to take the avant-garde noise that Sophie created and give it commercial weight. In late 2016, Stent was commissioned and paid
In the sprawling, chaotic, and fiercely innovative discography of Charli XCX, there is a ghost. It floats between the major label polish of Sucker (2014) and the hyperpop manifesto of Pop 2 (2017). Hardcore angels (her fanbase) refer to it in hushed tones, leaking low-quality mp3s onto Reddit and SoundCloud. Officially, it doesn’t exist. But to those who were paying attention in 2016 and early 2017, XCX World—produced in part by the legendary mixer Spike Stent—was supposed to be the album that broke Charli XCX in America.