Charli XCX exists in the major-label pop universe these days, posing for photos at industry events with Sam Smith or Taylor Swift and showing up on the Grammy red carpet. But every once in a while, we get to see a tiny glimpse of her punk side -- as when she covered Snuffed By The Yakuza's "Allergic To Love," or when she wore a tuxedo on that Grammy red carpet. In a recent visit to the BBC's Live Lounge, she trotted that side out a bit as she knocked out a sneery, fast, electro-blipping cover of Swift's world-conquering "Shake It Off." The Charli XCX version of the song was really more mocking new-wave -- like the Waitresses or Josie Cotton -- than it was punk, but it's still closer than people in Charli's social circles usually come. Also, she left off the "this sick beat" part, which was wise. Watch below.
[videoembed size="full_width" alignment="center"][/videoembed]
Charli's very good album Sucker is out now on Asylum/Atlantic/Neon Gold.
