Review: Charli XCX's Break The Rules Music Video

Up until now she's played the voice behind the hit of Icona Pop's 'I Love It', cute sidekick for Iggy Azaelia's mega-hit 'Fancy' and soundtrack artist for The Fault In Our Stars theme 'Boom Clap'. But with new single 'Break The Rules', XCX graduates to full on star of her own tumblr saturated scenester show. Having bubbled under the surface for so long now, XCX is truly marking her territory with this catchy pop tune tinged with punk attitude. 

The video begins with Charli and her bad girl clique walking through the high school hallway, with all other students blurring into oblivion. The opening scene has obvious remnants of 90's staples such as 'Baby One More Time' but with darker elements that echo gothic cult classics such as 1996's The Craft.  What's clear is that these girls aren't the rich Beverley Hills it-girls we saw in the Clueless-inspired Fancy, but they sure are the type girls you want to party with. We then see XCX cavorting atop a bus (the first of many American culture cliche's) in an oversized leather and a pair of Ray-Ban's. The word is 'Sucker' scribbled onto the front of the vehicle, the name of XCX's imminant album. She's making quite the statement, she's here and she wants the top spot. 

The group make there way to the school bus. After strutting and pouting a few times the girls then take a detour to a local store aptly titled 'Trash Lingerie'. They all laugh as Queen Bee XCX tries on an array of Romi and Michelle-esque ensembles. After choosing the right dress to wear they head to the prom, another staple of the American high school experience. What's interesting about XCX is that, even though she's a British import, rather than capitalizing on her 'Cool Britannia' status she chooses to immerse herself in the glossy, polished US aesthetics. However, what makes this artist different to her UK contemporaries making it in America, is that it doesn't feel manufactured or industry-controlled, it's effortless. Such ease into the kitsch American image hasn't been seen since XCX's predecessor Marina and The Diamonds. 

While at the prom we are treated to a cameo from Charmed and Jawbreaker (another 90's teen classic) star Rose McGowan. Here though McGowan plays the role of 'The Chaperone'. This is perhaps a two edged sword. McGowan may have been an icon of her time, but now she is simply a sensible adult keeping an eye on XCX and her friends. The video finishes with one final homage to the American teen ideology as McGowan pours a bucket of pink paint on the debaucherous high schoolers. This is an obvious nod to the infamous pig blood scene in 70's classic Carrie, one last element of pop culture to squeeze into the video. All in all Charli XCX offers a bright, fun, punk-pop video that only further cements her status as the coolest new kid on the block...


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