Charli XCX And Troye Sivan Go Back To '1999' On Nostalgia-Trip New Song

the opening thing you've got to know about "1999," the new group effort between Charli XCX and Troye Sivan, is that it's not a Prince cover. The second you have got to know is that it's a positively nostalgic bop.


While the Purple One was concerned with the future, Charli's caffeinated-as-always vocals are a touch wistful for the past. She sings, "Wishing we may go back in time / Maybe we may do it tonight, tonight, tonight" and pinpoints the final year of the 20th century because the preferred destination.





This all begs the question, what exactly would one do if she noticed herself dropped back near the end of the initial Clinton term? (Charli grew up in Essex, and Troye in Perth, so the Clinton reference point isn't as fitting, however whichever) The song's escapist lyrics say some specific cultural hallmarks of the time — blasting Slim Shady and Britney Spears — yet also simply indulging in what being young has to issue, like "playin' air guitar on the roof."


"I know those days are over nevertheless a boy can fantasize / About JTT on MTV and Once I close my eyes," Sivan sings on the bridge, shouting out '90s teen heartthrob Jonathan Taylor Thomas. The single's cover art also finds Troye and Charli decked out in shiny Matrix leather like Trinity and Neo, a look that never quite went away or perhaps did however is currently back, for good?


"1999" marks the second famed time-machine pop song this year, soon after Anne-Marie's early-aughts patchwork "2002." Both songs shout out "...Baby One More Time" specifically, also, though "2002" expands its scope and uses songs from several other years as reference points. The madcap "1999" is absolutely classic Charli, a celebration of pop that fuses elements of the era she's shouting out while also somehow sounding like a roadmap to pop's effervescent future.


I can only hope we'll soon get a video that's as incredibly studied in its approach to the late '90s as that cover art. I mean, look at that font! Not since Beerbongs & Bentleys has an album cover evoked such particular late-'90s shopping-mall music shop feels.


Until we get a genuine visual though, you could listen to the entire thing above. And dance.