"I’ve always made pop music, but I think the past few projects I’ve definitely leaned into the more experimental end of that. This record, however, it’s definitely more classic; I would say it’s very ‘80s-inspired. I’ve been listening to a lot of Prince, a lot of Janet Jackson, I’ve been doing dance routines and just basically being a main pop girl which is fun", said Charli via Eazy FM 105.5.
"Crash", the upcoming fifth studio album, is set to be released on March 18th, 2022. It is expected to include collaborations with longtime producer A. G. Cook, Deaton Chris Anthony, and Mattman & Robin. After eleven years of being signed to Atlantic Records, this will be Charli’s last album released under the label.
Throughout January and February 2020, Charli shared Instagram Stories of herself in Justin Raisen’s studio with producers, including Patrik Berger (who had worked on Charli’s debut album "True Romance", and her executive producer A. G. Cook. In March 2020, recording sessions for the album were canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Charli decided to delay the release of the album and spontaneously started working on what is now her fourth studio album, "how I’m feeling now".
On August 2nd, 2021, her birthday, she announced that the lead single “Good Ones” would be releasing on September 2nd, 2021.
On November 2, 2021, Charli shared a demo of a collab with Caroline Polachek and Christine and the Queens, and two hours later officially announced that the song, titled “New Shapes,” would be the album’s second single and that it would be releasing on November 4, 2021.