Cross You Out Explained

Cross You Out
Type:promotional
Cover:Charli XCX - Cross You Out.png
Artist:Charli XCX featuring Sky Ferreira
Album:Charli
Genre:Electropop[1]
Length:3:28
Label:
Producer:

"Cross You Out" is a song by British singer Charli XCX featuring American singer Sky Ferreira, released as the first promotional single from Charli XCX's third album, Charli, on 16 August 2019. A. G. Cook and Lotus IV produced it.[2]

Background and lyrics

Charli XCX stated that the song was "about leaving some pretty traumatic people from my past behind me".[3] NME opined that the track is "a ballad about finally severing ties with someone – and not feeling bad about it".[2]

Critical reception

Reviewing for Pitchfork, Cat Zhang noted that the track "launches with thudding electronics and bright keys," but "simmers down as Charli begins singing, her voice Auto-Tuned and vulnerable". Zhang further stated that "glitchy metallics [of the track] preserve the (un)conventional Charli sound".[4] Rolling Stone critic Claire Shaffer called the track a "synth-heavy club banger of a breakup song" with "synths that soar as high as a Gothic cathedral", judging its lyrics to be about "finding closure and liberation in the end of a relationship".[5] Stereogums James Rettig described the track's chorus as "booming",[3] while Rania Aniftos of Billboard characterised the song as a "glittery pop tune".[6] Helen Brown thought the track was driven by an "industrial drone of intergalactic hangar doors opening and closing, with the sweet, high vocals drifting weightless above."[7]

Charts

Chart (2019)! scope="col"
Peak
position
New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[8] 36

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Charli XCX and Sky Ferreira team up for 'Cross You Out'. DIY. 19 August 2019. 29 May 2023.
  2. Web site: Charli XCX releases 'Cross You Out' featuring Sky Ferreira. NME. Gwee. Karen. 16 August 2019. 16 August 2019.
  3. Web site: Charli XCX & Sky Ferreira Team Up On New Song "Cross You Out": Listen. Stereogum. Rettig. James. 16 August 2019. 16 August 2019.
  4. Web site: Charli XCX: "Cross You Out" [ft. Sky Ferreira]]. Pitchfork. Zhang. Cat. 16 August 2019. 24 February 2020.
  5. Charli XCX, Sky Ferreira Find Liberation in Heartbreak in New Collaboration 'Cross You Out'. Rolling Stone. Shaffer. Claire. 16 August 2019. 16 August 2019.
  6. Charli XCX Teases 'Cross You Out' Featuring Sky Ferreira. Billboard. Aniftos. Rania. 14 August 2019. 16 August 2019.
  7. News: Charli XCX review, Charli: Reassures listeners that she's still a sonic adventurer. The Independent. Brown. Helen. 11 September 2019. 24 February 2020.
  8. Web site: NZ Hot Singles Chart. Recorded Music NZ. 26 August 2019. 24 August 2019.