Key Highlights
- Charli XCX’s Wuthering Heights soundtrack is a musical adaptation of Emily Brontë’s novel.
- The album features songs that reflect the complex narrative structure and themes of the original text.
- “Always Everywhere” evokes the moors with its grand scale and spatial quality, reflecting Heathcliff and Cathy’s setting.
- Tracks like “Out of Myself” explore the boundaries of self in a poetic and quasi-religious manner.
The Soundtrack as Artistic Experimentation
When Charli XCX released her Wuthering Heights soundtrack on February 13, 2026, at midnight, it was more than just a collection of songs. It was an ambitious artistic experiment that mirrored the complex narrative structure and themes of Emily Brontë’s novel.
“Always Everywhere”: The Moors in Sound
“Always Everywhere” by Charli XCX is a standout track, with its grand scale and spatial quality allowing you to visualize the Yorkshire moors. The song’s lyric “your laughter tearing through the rain” suggests a vast space where wind blows or a ghostly voice travels.
Chains of Love: Ambivalence in Love
The central metaphor of “Chains of Love” reflects the ambivalent character of love in the original text. Following Cathy’s declaration that she is Heathcliff, the “chains” act like the star-crossed destiny of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, symbolizing an enduring yet tragic partnership.
Mourning and Melancholia
House by Charli XCX featuring John Cale hints at Heathcliff’s desire to dig up Cathy’s remains on two occasions. This obsession is mirrored in “Altars,” which could be interpreted as a symbol of betrayal or Heathcliff worshipping at Cathy’s altar, even in death.
Productive Imagination
In response to this excessive mourning, “Eyes of the World” offers a plea: “Set me free.” This track suggests that adaptation need not be seen as a detraction but as a productive and imaginative process. The album is a haunting reminder that Wuthering Heights can thrive in different forms.
So, if you’re looking for something good, consider Charli XCX’s Wuthering Heights soundtrack. It’s more than just music; it’s a reflection of the novel’s complexity and beauty.
