Studio Album · No. 1
True Romance Songwriting Credits by Charli XCX
Produced by Ariel Rechtshaid, Patrik Berger, Blood Diamonds · Engineered by Ariel Rechtshaid
Holds writing credit on 13 of 13 tracks
Authorship Breakdown 13 / 13 documented
Scored across the 13 tracks with documented writers, by whether Charli XCX carries a lyricist or composer credit.
Share of the 13 tracks where a band member is credited, by role.
By the Numbers
True Romance shows Charli XCX as a self-writing pop artist from the start: she co-wrote all thirteen tracks, sharing each credit with her producers, mainly Ariel Rechtshaid and Patrik Berger, rather than taking outside songs. The co-writing is tight, usually two or three names per track, and her pen is the one constant across a record that moves between goth-pop and dance.
True Romance is the debut studio album by Charli XCX, released in April 2013 after years of mixtapes and warehouse shows. Built around a moody blend of synth-pop, electronic, and goth-leaning hooks, it pairs her with producers like Ariel Rechtshaid and Patrik Berger and frames her as a writer first. She co-wrote every track, sharing credits with her producers and a handful of collaborators rather than working from outside material. Though it was a modest commercial start, the album drew strong reviews and built the cult following that her later work would expand. It established the songwriting voice, dark, romantic, and self-authored, that runs through her whole catalog.
Track Listing & Credits 13 tracks
| # | Title | Lyricist(s) | Composer(s) | Producer(s) | Performers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Nuclear Seasons
|
Charli XCXAriel RechtshaidJustin Raisen | Charlotte AitchisonAriel RechtshaidJustin Raisen | Ariel Rechtshaid | Charli XCX (Lead Vocals) |
| 2 |
You (Ha Ha Ha)
#87
|
Charli XCXJocke AhlundGold Panda | Charlotte AitchisonJoakim AhlundGold Panda | Jocke AhlundMark Spike Stent | Charli XCX (Lead Vocals) |
| 3 |
Take My Hand
|
Charli XCXAriel RechtshaidJustin Raisen | Charlotte AitchisonAriel RechtshaidJustin Raisen | Ariel Rechtshaid | Charli XCX (Lead Vocals) |
| 4 |
Stay Away
|
Charli XCXAriel Rechtshaid | Charlotte AitchisonAriel Rechtshaid | Ariel Rechtshaid | Charli XCX (Lead Vocals) |
| 5 |
Set Me Free (Feel My Pain)
|
Charli XCXAriel RechtshaidDimitri Tikovoi | Charlotte AitchisonAriel RechtshaidDimitri Tikovoi | Dimitri TikovoiAriel Rechtshaid | Charli XCX (Lead Vocals) |
| 6 |
Grins
|
Charli XCXMichael Tucker | Charlotte AitchisonMichael Tucker | Blood DiamondsDan Aslet | Charli XCX (Lead Vocals) |
| 7 |
So Far Away
|
Charli XCXTodd RundgrenPaul White | Charlotte AitchisonTodd RundgrenPaul White | Paul WhiteDan Aslet | Charli XCX (Lead Vocals) |
| 8 |
Cloud Aura
|
Charli XCXJoseph ZuccoBrooke Candy | Charlotte AitchisonJoseph ZuccoBrooke Candy | J Pounds MillionDan Aslet | Charli XCX (Lead Vocals)Brooke Candy (Featured Vocals) |
| 9 |
What I Like
|
Charli XCXJoseph Zucco | Charlotte AitchisonJoseph Zucco | J Pounds MillionDan Aslet | Charli XCX (Lead Vocals) |
| 10 |
Black Roses
|
Charli XCXAriel RechtshaidJustin Raisen | Charlotte AitchisonAriel RechtshaidJustin Raisen | Ariel Rechtshaid | Charli XCX (Lead Vocals) |
| 11 |
You're the One
#96
|
Charli XCXPatrik Berger | Charlotte AitchisonPatrik Berger | Patrik BergerAriel Rechtshaid | Charli XCX (Lead Vocals) |
| 12 |
How Can I
|
Charli XCXAriel RechtshaidJustin Raisen | Charlotte AitchisonAriel RechtshaidJustin Raisen | Ariel Rechtshaid | Charli XCX (Lead Vocals) |
| 13 |
Lock You Up
|
Charli XCXAriel Rechtshaid | Charlotte AitchisonAriel Rechtshaid | Ariel Rechtshaid | Charli XCX (Lead Vocals) |