Charli XCX Chains of Love lands with cinematic force: the singer’s new single powers the latest trailer for Emerald Fennell’s Wuthering Heights, giving viewers a raw, gothic pulse before the film opens on Valentine’s weekend 2026. The song, paired with Charli’s earlier single “House” (featuring John Cale), signals a bold shift in her sound — cinematic, bruised, and deliberately theatrical. Pitchfork
- Main update — What “Chains of Love” is and where you hear it
- The song — sound, lyrics, and the mood it creates
- Reactions & analysis — Critics and fans weigh in
- Background — How this album came to be
- New angle — Why Charli’s trailer music matters beyond promotion
- How the trailer uses the music — a quick guide for viewers
- What’s next — release dates and what to expect
Main update — What “Chains of Love” is and where you hear it
Charli XCX released “Chains of Love” as the follow-up single to “House,” and the track is prominently featured in the new trailer for Emerald Fennell’s adaptation of Wuthering Heights. The film — starring Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi — hits cinemas around Valentine’s Day 2026, while Charli’s full album Wuthering Heights is set to arrive on February 13, 2026 (one day before the U.S. release). The trailer uses an orchestrated, dramatic version of the song to heighten the film’s sweeping emotions. Pitchfork
In short: the trailer gives the world its first sustained taste of Charli’s cinematic direction for this project, and “Chains of Love” is the emotional engine in that preview. Consequence
The song — sound, lyrics, and the mood it creates
On “Chains of Love”, Charli moves between spoken-word tension and impassioned, almost wounded singing. Lines like “My face is turning blue / Can’t breathe without you here” frame the track in obsessive, romantic pain — perfect for a Wuthering Heights adaptation where love and ruin are entwined. Produced by Finn Keane, the song mixes electronic textures with orchestral swells, creating a sound that feels both modern pop and gothic soundtrack. Pitchfork
The trailer expands the track’s impact by layering full orchestral elements over Charli’s voice, making the single feel cinematic and huge — exactly what a film trailer needs. For listeners, the song announces Charli’s willingness to trade some mainstream pop gloss for something darker and more theatrical. Pitchfork
Reactions & analysis — Critics and fans weigh in
Early responses have been strong. Music outlets praised Charli’s creative leap: critics noted that “House” with John Cale already hinted at an “elegant and brutal” approach, and “Chains of Love” cements that direction. Fans on social platforms responded enthusiastically to the trailer, sharing clips and calling the music “haunting” and “perfect” for the tragic Catherine–Heathcliff story. The Guardian
Industry reaction focuses on two things: Charli’s sonic reinvention and smart marketing. Releasing singles that double as trailer music builds momentum for both the album and the film — and early coverage from outlets like Pitchfork and Rolling Stone amplifies that reach. Pitchfork
Background — How this album came to be
Charli XCX’s Wuthering Heights album grew out of her collaboration with director Emerald Fennell. Initially asked for one song, Charli proposed an album — a full immersion into a gothic world of raw emotion and theatrical storytelling. She worked closely with producer Finn Keane and drew inspiration from John Cale and the Velvet Underground’s “elegant and brutal” aesthetic, which she embraced during the album’s creation. The project represents a deliberate pivot from her Brat era into a more cinematic, narrative-driven sound. Elle India
The album will contain at least 12 tracks, opening with “House” (a high-profile collaboration with John Cale), followed by “Chains of Love” and more songs that promise to mirror the film’s intensity. Charli has described the work as raw, wild, and undiluted — intentionally different from her previous pop output. Pitchfork
New angle — Why Charli’s trailer music matters beyond promotion
Most pop stars license songs to trailers. Charli did more: she created an entire album as a companion to a major film and released singles that are the film’s sounds. That flips the typical soundtrack model — the music isn’t just supporting the movie, it’s shaping how audiences interpret it. By releasing Charli XCX Chains of Love and “House” first, Charli controls the emotional tone the public associates with this adaptation. It’s an integrated creative strategy: music and film feed each other, increasing cultural impact and chart potential. Pitchfork
This approach also positions Charli as a modern auteur in pop — someone who treats albums as world-building exercises, which will matter to fans who follow artists’ creative arcs closely.
How the trailer uses the music — a quick guide for viewers
If you watch the trailer, listen for these moments:
- Opening atmosphere: Strings swell under Charli’s quiet lines — sets gothic tone.
- Emotional hook: The chorus (the “chains of love” hook) coincides with intense visual beats between Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi.
- Orchestral swell: Trailer edits build to a cinematic peak — music and picture sync to amplify heartbreak and violence. The Guardian
For viewers, the music’s placement makes otherwise brief scenes feel enormous — a compressed emotional arc that hints at the film’s larger tragic scale.
What’s next — release dates and what to expect
- Album: Wuthering Heights — out February 13, 2026 via Atlantic Records. Pitchfork
- Film: Emerald Fennell’s Wuthering Heights — theatrical release around February 14, 2026 (Valentine’s Day weekend). Wikipedia
Expect more singles, videos, and perhaps live performances or promotional tie-ins as the release window approaches. If the album and film click with critics and fans, Charli’s new era could reshape her career trajectory and attract a broader, more cinematic audience. Elle India
Stay tuned for more updates. Global India Broadcast News
