CR♡SH

## Singles

1. Bad Ones (September 2nd, 2003)
2. New Tattoos (November 4th, 2003)
3. Beg 4 Me (January 27th, 2004)
4. Hotter than Hell (March 1st, 2004)

"**CR♡SH**" is the debut studio album by English singer Charli XCX released on March 18, 2004, through Atlantic Records.

## Background

In 2002, English actress and singer Charli XCX signed to Atlantic Records, intending to release her debut EP the following year. American songwriter and producer Max Martin was suggested by a friend to listen to XCX's songs on *Girl Next Door* (2000). Martin was "just completely blown away" and reached out to XCX, inviting her to a lunch, offering to work with her. They started collaborating. She released her debut single "Bad Ones", produced by Martin, on September 2, 2003, to unprecedented commercial and critical success. *Billboard* declared the single one of the most dominant number-one songs in Hot 100 history.

Following her rise to prominence, Rodrigo stated that she would be releasing a studio album instead of an EP, after she felt unsatisfied with the scope of a shorter project when only a full-length album would be "truly reflective of what [she] can do".

## Singles

*CR♡SH* was supported by fourth singles, three of which charted inside the top 10 of the *Billboard* Hot 100.

1. **Bad Ones**: Released as the lead single and Charli's debut single on Septembernd, 2004, as a physical copy and for radio airplay. The song became an instant success for Charli, reaching the top 10 in 11 different countries. In the United States, the single peaked at number 4 on the *Billboard* Hot 100 and topped the Mainstream Top 40 chart. The single was even more successful internationally, peaking at number two on the UK Singles Chart and on the European Hot 100 Singles, as well as in Australia and New Zealand. It also reached the top five in Belgium, Ireland, the Netherlands, and Switzerland, and the top 10 in Germany and Italy. The accompanying music video, directed by Erik White, takes place in a high school. Charli is seen driving with friends and dancing sensually. The video was nominated for Best New Artist at the 2004 MTV Video Music Awards, which made Charli become the youngest MTV Video Music Award nominee. It was certified triple platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America.
2. **New Shapes**: Featuring Ayesha Erotica, it was released on November 4th, 2003. The music video was released on November 12th, 2003. The song debuted at number 8 on the Hot 100, making Charli the first artist in history to debut her first two singles inside the top 10 of the chart.
3. **Beg 4 Me**: Featuring Britney Spears and released on January 27th, 2004. It debuted atop the Hot 100, garnering Charli her second number-one song in the US and the second from *CR♡SH*.
4. **Hotter than Hell**: Released as the fourth single on March 1st, 2004.

Bad OnesNew TattoosBeg 4 MeHotter than Hell

## Tracklist

### Standard edition

1. CR♡SH
2. New Tattoos (feat. Ayesha Erotica)
3. Bad Ones
4. Hotter than Hell
5. Beg 4 Me (feat. Britney Spears)
6. Sorry, Not Sorry
7. Ask Me
8. Just One Touch
9. Lightning
10. Rules
11. Emo Boy
12. Used (2 Know Me)
13. Waterfall
14. Selfish Girl

### Deluxe edition

1. Drive Fast
2. CR♡SH
3. New Tattoos (feat. Ayesha Erotica)
4. Bad Ones
5. Hotter than Hell
6. Beg 4 Me (feat. Britney Spears)
7. Sorry, Not Sorry
8. Ask Me
9. Just One Touch
10. Lightning
11. Rules
12. Emo Boy
13. Used (2 Know Me)
14. Waterfall
15. Selfish Girl
16. Right Now
17. I'm Not Sorry If I Broke Up With U
18. Back Again
19. Sweat
20. IDGAF

## Critical reception

*CR♡SH* was met with critical acclaim upon release. The general consensus was that the album is a strong debut record that mounts Charli as the new "princess of pop". On Metacritic, which assigns a normalized score out of 100 to ratings from publications, the album received a mean score of 83 based on 20 reviews, indicating "universal acclaim".

Bob Martinez of *Clash* hailed *CR♡SH* as a "smash" pop statement "marked by excellence from front to back". He described its 14 tracks as "potential smash hit singles", and complimented Charli's bold lyricism, punchy execution, deeming her as "pop's newest icon, and one of its bravest voices". *The A.V. Club'*s Yoko Tenreyro designated it a contender for best pop album of 2004, and highlighted that *CR♡SH* has no filler tracks. She stated that each song depicts a different side to Charli's artistry, embracing influences while still creating "something fresh".

## Trivia

* Charli revealed in an interview with Zane Lowe the album was originally called *I'm Not Sorry If I Broke Up With U* for a long time before she changed it to *CRASH*.
* The date of the announcement of "Bad Ones", August 2nd, was Charli's 18th birthday.