Charli XCX and Sam Smith celebrate the party in 'In the City'

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Charli XCX and Sam Smith celebrate the party in ‘In the City’

Charli XCX has released her announced single with Sam Smith, ‘In the City’. The song unites the two British pop superstars for the first time in a joint song, and does so at the service of a totally disco and nineties beat that incorporates fragments of EDM, techno and piano house… and echoes of ‘We Found Love’ of Rihanna and Calvin Harris?

‘In the City’ celebrates partying and friendship. In Charli’s words, ‘In the City’ is about “finding the people you love and connecting with them through wild nights and partying in magical places.” The theme, too, talks about “feeling accepted, about how wonderful it is to feel welcomed in queer spaces, and about the incredible people you meet in those spaces.”

‘In the City’ is a co-production by Charli to Smith about the “hate-filled comments” Smith had been receiving online, after Smith posted a video of him dancing to the song.

‘In the City’ is Charli’s first single since the artist released ‘Speed ​​Drive’, her song for the ‘Barbie’ soundtrack, at the end of last June. This summer, ‘Speed ​​Drive’ has given Charli unexpected success on the charts: ‘Speed ​​Drive’ has not only reached number 9 in the United Kingdom, but has also managed to sneak into the difficult Billboard Hot 100, at number 73.

‘Crash’, Charli’s last studio album, was one of the best of 2022. Her tour was also not wasted, an “exhibition of hits” in which ‘In the City’ would have a place.

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Simon Müller

Simon Müller is the driving force behind UMusic, embodying a lifelong passion for all things melodious. Born and raised in New York, his love for music took form at an early age and fueled his journey from an avid music enthusiast to the founder of a leading music-centered website. Simon's diverse musical tastes and intrinsic understanding of acoustic elements offer a unique perspective to the UMusic community. Sporting a dedicated commitment to aural enrichment and hearing health, his vision extends beyond just delivering news - he aspires to create a network of informed, appreciative music lovers. Spend a moment in Mueller's company, and you'd find his passion infectious – music isn’t simply his job, it’s his heartbeat.