Party 4 U

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"Party 4 U"
Single by Charli XCX
from the album How I'm Feeling Now
Published15 May 2020 (2020-05-15)
Released9 May 2025 (2025-05-09)
RecordedMay 2017–2020
Genre
Length
  • 4:56 (album version)
  • 3:01 (radio edit)
LabelAtlantic
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)A. G. Cook
Charli XCX singles chronology
"Talk Talk"
(2024) 		"Party 4 U"
(2025)
Music video
"Party 4 U" on YouTube

"Party 4 U" is a song by the English singer Charli XCX from her fourth studio album, How I'm Feeling Now (2020). She wrote the song with its producer, A. G. Cook. "Party 4 U" is a pop and hyperpop track that incorporates echoing synths and crescendoing composition. The lyrics describe hosting a party for a person who never arrives, along with the highs and lows of the narrator's fluctuating relationships.

Music critics praised "Party 4 U" for its composition and Charli XCX's vocal performance. The track began to resurge in popularity and streaming in early 2025 after going viral on TikTok, leading Atlantic Records to release it as a single to US contemporary hit radio on 9 May 2025. Commercially, "Party 4 U" reached the top 30 in Ireland, the Philippines, Singapore, and the United Kingdom. Charli XCX included the track on the set lists of Crash: The Live Tour (2022–2023) and the Brat Tour (2024–2025), and performed it at several other events. "Party 4 U" was also featured in the black comedy film Bottoms (2023). To promote the song, a music video was released on 15 May 2025, coinciding with the fifth anniversary of the release of its parent album How I'm Feeling Now.

Background and initial release

[edit]

Charli XCX released her third studio album, Charli, on 13 September 2019. The following month, she revealed that she had started working on her next project.[1] On 6 April 2020, Charli XCX announced that she would release her fourth studio album, How I'm Feeling Now, on 15 May of that year.[2] She recorded the album within five weeks during the COVID-19 lockdowns in a "do it yourself" collaborative process with her fans.[3][4] Atlantic Records released How I'm Feeling Now to critical acclaim;[3][5] "Party 4 U" is the album's ninth track.[6] It was featured in the last scene of the black comedy film Bottoms (2023). The Daily Beast's Fletcher Peters said that it was "the perfect way to wrap up a memorable soundtrack" due to its crescendoing composition.[7]

Production and composition

[edit]

Charli XCX started recording "Party 4 U" in May 2017,[8] and completed recording the first part of the song in the same year.[9] It was intended to appear on her fourth mixtape, Pop 2 (2017), but it was excluded from the final track listing.[10][11] "Party 4 U" became a fan favorite track after Charli XCX performed it at a concert in Tokyo,[9] with snippets from the song appearing in her subsequent live shows and online videos.[10][12] "Party 4 U" was eventually completed during How I'm Feeling Now's recording sessions in 2020.[9] On 30 April 2020, Charli XCX announced that it would be included on the album.[13] She described the final version of the song as "euphoric and sad at the same time" compared to the previous unfinished versions.[8] Charli XCX wrote "Party 4 U" with its producer, A. G. Cook, who additionally played synthesisers and provided drum programming. The track was recorded by Charli XCX and mastered by Stuart Hawkes. Geoff Swan mixed "Party 4 U" with assistance from Niko Battistini.[14]

"Party 4 U"
A sample of "Party 4 U", featuring crescendoing beats, rapidly pulsing synths, and minimalistic production
Problems playing this file? See media help.

"Party 4 U" is four minutes and fifty-six seconds long.[9] It is a pop[4][15] and hyperpop song,[7] featuring echoing synths,[4] crescendoing beats,[7] a "dreamy" atmosphere,[16] Auto-Tuned vocals, and a "colorful sonic tapestry".[17] The track features an uptempo rhythm in the second verse.[11] Near the end of "Party 4 U", the song starts glitching as Charli XCX sings "party on-party on you, party on you" repeatedly over minimalistic beats[16] and rapidly pulsing synths.[18] The song's outro features crowd noises that were recorded at the end of Charli XCX's 2019 Brixton Academy concert in London. She revealed that "Party 4 U" was supposed to appear as How I'm Feeling Now's closing track, but thought it was "too traditional" due to the outro's crowd noises sounding "like an emotional goodbye".[9]

Lyrically, Charli XCX said "Party 4 U" is about "throwing a party for someone who doesn't come—the yearning to see someone but they're not there".[9] The lyrics discuss the "up-and-down trajectory" of the narrator's on-and-off relationships,[4] and how she feels lonely even when she is surrounded by crowds.[19] The track features party–inspired lyrical imagery: pink balloons, purple pills, a pool, and a "DJ with your favorite tunes". Charli XCX sings in the final verse, "I wish you'd get here, kiss my face/ Instead you're somewhere far away/ My nervous energy will stay/ I hope you realize one day".[19]

Resurgence and commercial performance

[edit]

"Party 4 U" began to resurge in popularity and streaming in February 2025 after going viral on TikTok, where users posted videos of themselves singing the song's uptempo second verse.[11][16] On 19 February, the track entered the US Spotify Viral 100 chart at number 80, marking the highest new entry.[10] In response, Charli XCX tweeted, "It's p[retty] crazy that this song is suddenly getting love in this kinda way. I know this song means so much to so many [fans]".[11] As a result of the resurgence, US on-demand streams for "Party 4 U" more than doubled from January to February 2025, as reported by Billboard based on Luminate's data.[20] A new TikTok trend began in April 2025, where users shared their feelings and interpretations on the repeated "party on you" part of the track.[16][21] Atlantic Records released "Party 4 U" as a single to US contemporary hit radio on 9 May 2025.[22]

"Party 4 U" peaked at number 42 on the Billboard Global 200 chart dated 31 May 2025.[23] It reached the national charts of Ireland (11),[24] Singapore (12),[25] the United Kingdom (28),[26] Australia (27),[27] Canada (53),[28] and the United States (55).[29] "Party 4 U" also peaked at number 7 on the Sweden Heatseeker chart,[30] number 14 on IFPI's Official Philippines Chart,[31] and number 15 on Billboard's Philippines Hot 100 chart.[32]

Critical reception

[edit]

Music critics praised "Party 4 U" for its composition and Charli XCX's vocal performance, considering it one of the best tracks in her discography. Clash's Robin Murray described it as a "deep cut",[10] and New Statesman's Elliot Hoste considered it "the emotional heart" of How I'm Feeling Now.[4] Business Insider's Callie Ahlgrim believed Charli XCX showcased her "impressive understanding of her vocal control and tone" in the track by letting "her voice melt into the larger soundscape without getting lost in it", considering it one of her best songs in 2020.[33][34] Courtney Larocca from the same publication praised Charli XCX's "soft" vocals and the song's "warm and fuzzy" atmosphere. They both considered it one of the album's best tracks.[33] Consequence's editorial staff similarly considered it one of How I'm Feeling Now's essential tracks,[35] while Peters deemed it one of Charli XCX's best songs in 2023.[7] Paste's Andy Steiner described "Party 4 U" as "tender, vulnerable, simultaneously lonely and in love", adding that it features some of Charli XCX's "most specific and detailed writing". He considered it the fourth best track in her discography in 2023.[19]

Live performances

[edit]

In 2021, Charli XCX performed "Party 4 U" at three 2021 live shows in support of How I'm Feeling Now in Los Angeles, New York City, and London.[36][37] She included the track in the set list of her third solo concert tour, Crash: The Live Tour (2022–2023).[38][39] Charli XCX performed "Party 4 U" at Boiler Room in New York City in February 2024. The official footage of the performance was released the following month.[40][41] She played the song at BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend music festival in Luton in May 2024.[42] The following month, she also performed it at the Primavera Sound 2024 music festival in Barcelona.[43] XCX added "Party 4 U" to the set list of her fourth solo concert tour, the Brat Tour (2024–2025),[44] which also included her shows at the Coachella 2025.[21][45]

Personnel

[edit]

Credits are adapted from the liner notes of How I'm Feeling Now.[14]

  • Charli XCX – songwriter, recording engineer, engineer, vocals, background vocals
  • A. G. Cook – songwriter, producer, engineer, drum programmer, synthesisers, background vocals
  • Stuart Hawkes – mastering engineer
  • Geoff Swan – mixing engineer
  • Niko Battistini – assistant mixing engineer

Charts

[edit]
Weekly chart performance for "Party 4 U"
Chart (2025) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[27] 27
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[28] 53
Global 200 (Billboard)[23] 42
Ireland (IRMA)[24] 11
Philippines (IFPI)[31] 14
Philippines (Philippines Hot 100)[32] 13
Portugal (AFP)[46] 184
Singapore (RIAS)[25] 12
Sweden Heatseeker (Sverigetopplistan)[30] 7
UK Singles (OCC)[26] 19
US Billboard Hot 100[29] 55
US Pop Airplay (Billboard)[47] 35

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Cerys Kenneally (14 October 2019). "Charli XCX Reveals She's Started Working on Her Next Album". The Line of Best Fit. Archived from the original on 15 October 2019. Retrieved 14 May 2025.
  2. ^ Aniftos, Rania (6 April 2020). "Charli XCX Will Express How I'm Feeling Now in Upcoming Self-Isolated Album". Billboard. Archived from the original on 7 April 2020. Retrieved 14 May 2025.
  3. ^ a b Lewis, Isobel (24 September 2020). "Mercury Prize 2020: See the Full List of Shortlisted Artists Ahead of the Winner's Announcement Tonight". The Independent. Archived from the original on 23 July 2020. Retrieved 14 May 2025.
  4. ^ a b c d e Hoste, Elliot (19 May 2020). "How I'm Feeling Now Is Charli XCX's Best Album Yet". New Statesman. Archived from the original on 5 December 2024. Retrieved 14 May 2025.
  5. ^ Kornhaper, Spencer (19 May 2020). "Charli XCX Captures the Weird Intimacy of Quarantine". The Atlantic. Archived from the original on 21 January 2025. Retrieved 14 May 2025.
  6. ^ Reilly, Nick (14 May 2020). "Charli XCX Shares Tracklist for Lockdown Album How I'm Feeling Now". NME. Archived from the original on 14 June 2020. Retrieved 14 May 2025.
  7. ^ a b c d Peters, Fletcher (29 August 2023). "The Best Bottoms Needle Drop Taps Right Into Y2K Nostalgia". The Daily Beast. Archived from the original on 28 September 2023. Retrieved 14 May 2025.
  8. ^ a b Charli XCX; A. G. Cook (20 July 2020). Beat x Beat: Inside Out - Charli XCX 'Party 4 U' (Behind-the-scenes). Beats/Apple Music.
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  11. ^ a b c d Butler, Sinead (25 February 2025). "Why Charli XCX's 'Party 4 U' Has Finally Entered the Spotify Charts After 5 Years". Indy 100. Archived from the original on 18 March 2025. Retrieved 14 May 2025.
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  20. ^ Denis, Kyle; Lipshutz, Jason; Unterberger, Andrew (20 February 2025). "Drake's 'Nokia' Becomes His Midweek '$exy $ongs' Breakout Hit, 'Gimme a Hug' Leads to Aaron Hall Gains". Billboard. Archived from the original on 4 April 2025. Retrieved 14 May 2025.
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  25. ^ a b "The Official Singapore Charts Week 19 (2 - 8 May 2025)". RIAS. Archived from the original on 13 May 2025. Retrieved 13 May 2025.
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  27. ^ a b "ARIA Top 50 Singles Chart". Australian Recording Industry Association. 26 May 2025. Retrieved 24 May 2025.
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  29. ^ a b "Charli XCX Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 13 May 2025.
  30. ^ a b "Veckolista Heatseeker, vecka 19, 2025". Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved 10 May 2025.
  31. ^ a b "The Official Southeast Asia Charts – This Week's Official Philippines Chart Top 20 from 05/02/2025 to 05/08/2025". International Federation of the Phonographic Industry. Archived from the original on 9 February 2025. Retrieved 13 May 2025. [Select 2025 Week 19]
  32. ^ a b "Philippines Hot 100: Week of May 16, 2025". Billboard Philippines. Retrieved 16 May 2025.
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  34. ^ Ahlgrim, Callie (8 December 2020). "The 20 Best Albums of 2020, Ranked". Business Insider. Archived from the original on 21 February 2025. Retrieved 14 May 2025.
  35. ^ "Top 25 Albums of 2020 (So Far)". Consequence. 22 June 2020. Archived from the original on 20 December 2023. Retrieved 14 May 2025.
  36. ^ Hunt, El (25 October 2021). "Charli XCX Live in London: Isolation Anthems Finally Get Their Special Airing". NME. Archived from the original on 28 March 2025. Retrieved 14 May 2025.
  37. ^ Skinner, Tom (10 August 2021). "Charli XCX Announces Special 'How I'm Feeling Now' Live Shows". NME. Archived from the original on 26 January 2025. Retrieved 14 May 2025.
  38. ^ Kirkbride, Beth (19 May 2022). "Charli XCX: Tickets, Support Act, Setlist and Parking As Crash Tour Comes to Sheffield's O2 Academy". The Star. Archived from the original on 11 September 2024. Retrieved 14 May 2025.
  39. ^ Burgess, Billy (3 March 2023). "Charli XCX Review – Ecstatic Devotion at 'Tiny' Melbourne Gig". Music Feeds. Archived from the original on 20 July 2024. Retrieved 14 May 2025.
  40. ^ Moran, Justin (23 February 2024). "Charli XCX Throws the Best Parties". Paper. Archived from the original on 18 February 2025. Retrieved 14 May 2025.
  41. ^ Pilley, Max (29 March 2024). "Watch Official Footage of Charli XCX's Partygirl Boiler Room 2024 Set in Full". NME. Archived from the original on 4 April 2024. Retrieved 14 May 2025.
  42. ^ Savage, Mark (25 May 2024). "Charli XCX Used Up the Festival's Entire Smoke Machine Budget". BBC. Archived from the original on 20 January 2025. Retrieved 14 May 2025.
  43. ^ Raza-Sheikh, Zoya (5 June 2024). "9 Outstanding Sets From Barcelona's Primavera Sound Festival 2024: SZA, Amaarae, Charli XCX & More". Grammy.com. Archived from the original on 6 June 2024. Retrieved 14 May 2025.
  44. ^ Levine, Nick (28 November 2024). "Charli Xcx's Brat Tour Setlist: Songs Performed at London, Birmingham and Glasgow Arena Shows". Official Charts Company. Archived from the original on 11 April 2025. Retrieved 14 May 2025.
  45. ^ Dailey, Hannah (14 May 2024). "Charli XCX Reflects on 5-Year Anniversary of How I'm Feeling Now & Announces 'Party 4 U' Music Video". Billboard. Retrieved 14 May 2025.
  46. ^ "Top 200 Singles Semana 21 de 2025" (PDF) (in European Portuguese). Associação Fonográfica Portuguesa. p. 9. Retrieved 28 May 2025.
  47. ^ "Charli XCX Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 24 May 2025.