Troye Sivan has released “She’s The Best,” the first single from his forthcoming album of the same name, and it comes with a subtle but significant surprise: a hidden vocal contribution from Charli XCX. The track, now available on streaming platforms, finds Sivan in a celebratory mood, offering an affectionate portrait of an unnamed woman whose every detail becomes a source of wonder. Over a sleek production, he sings with an almost breathless admiration, repeating the refrain that gives the song its title.
The song was written and produced by Sivan alongside Jack Antonoff, Leland, Styalz Fuego, and George Daniel, the 1975 drummer who is also Charli XCX’s husband. It marks Sivan’s first collaboration with Daniel, adding a fresh dynamic to the track’s sonic palette. The cameo itself is fleeting but meaningful: a small snippet at the very end of the song features Charli’s voice. Sivan explained in a recent interview that having her on the record was a personal touch for both him and Daniel. “The vocal that you hear at the end of ‘She’s the Best,’ it’s Charli,” he said. “We’ve found ways to work these women into the songs. I don’t want to speak for him, but I think for both George and I, Charli is obviously a very, very, very special person to both of us, and so to have her on that song in some small way is very meaningful to us.”
According to Sivan, the song is not about one specific person but rather a collage of several influential women in his life. He described it as a love letter inspired by the feminine presences who have shaped him, from collaborators to close friends. In making the track, he deliberately stepped away from the introspective songwriting that defined much of his previous work. “’She’s the Best’ was the first time I wasn’t trying to psychoanalyze myself, and I wasn’t writing about men,” he added. “The one thing that has been constant in my whole life is the women in my life, and the feminine people in my life.”
The accompanying music video adds another layer of significance. It stars Australian actress Nicole Kidman, who first met Sivan in 2018 on the set of Boy Erased, the drama in which both appeared. Sivan has spoken warmly about Kidman over the years, describing her as a mentor and a source of inspiration. “She’s always just been such a picture of the divine feminine to me,” he said. The video, presumably, extends the song’s celebration of femininity through Kidman’s presence, making the collaboration a full-circle moment for Sivan.
Sivan recalled the process of getting Kidman involved. “I sent her the song and I showed her some references for the video,” he remembered. In the middle of a Zoom meeting a bit later, he received a call from an unknown number. “I let it go to voicemail, and then I see the transcription starts coming, it’s like, ‘Hi darling Troye, it’s Nic.’ I slammed my laptop shut and just ended the meeting.” The anecdote captures the excitement and slight disbelief he felt at having Kidman on board, a testament to the relationships he has cultivated in the entertainment industry.
The single is the first taste of She’s the Best, Sivan’s first album since 2023’s Something to Give Each Other. That album was a critical and commercial success, earning Sivan some of the strongest reviews of his career and a Grammy nomination for Best Pop Vocal Album. It featured hits like “Rush” and “Got Me Started,” which became staples on streaming playlists and in live sets. The new album is expected to continue that momentum, with Sivan hinting at a broader emotional range. “There is this high-octane side to the album that feels really bombastic, and then there are the songs that feel like the interior of my mind. There’s this deep sense of longing. The album is a crazy journey,” he said.
A New Chapter After ‘Something to Give Each Other’
Troye Sivan has spent the past several years cementing his status as one of pop’s most distinctive voices. Born in South Africa and raised in Australia, he first gained attention as a YouTube personality before transitioning into music. His 2015 debut EP, Wild, and his 2018 album, Bloom, showcased a sophisticated pop sensibility that drew from synth-pop and electronic music. With Something to Give Each Other, he leaned into dancefloor-ready sounds and more explicit lyrical themes, earning a newfound level of acclaim. The album was praised for its unapologetic celebration of queer desire and its polished yet playful production, much of which came from frequent collaborators like Leland and Styalz Fuego.
The announcement of She’s the Best suggests a pivot in subject matter but not in sonic ambition. If the first single is any indication, the album will retain the sleek production and memorable hooks that have become Sivan’s signature, while opening up a more tender and appreciative perspective. The decision to center women and feminine people in his songwriting marks a notable shift for an artist who has often explored masculine relationships and self-analysis. Sivan described this new direction as freeing, a way to honor the people who have supported him since the beginning.
The Role of Charli XCX and George Daniel
Charli XCX and Troye Sivan have a long history of friendship and mutual support. They have toured together, appeared at each other’s shows, and often spoken publicly about their admiration for one another. Charli’s influence can be felt across Sivan’s recent work, and her hidden appearance on “She’s The Best” deepens that connection. The fact that her husband, George Daniel, also contributed to the song makes it a family affair of sorts. Daniel is best known as the drummer for the 1975, but he has also made a name for himself as a producer and songwriter in recent years. His work with Charli XCX, especially on her albums Crash and Brat, has been widely praised for blending pop gloss with experimental edge. His involvement in “She’s The Best” suggests a meeting of creative minds, with Sivan embracing collaborators who can push his sound in new directions.
Antonoff’s presence is similarly noteworthy. The producer has become one of the most in-demand figures in pop music, working with artists like Taylor Swift, Lana Del Rey, and Lorde. His signature style often involves lush instrumentation and introspective lyrics, and his collaboration with Sivan adds a mature, polished quality to the track. Leland and Styalz Fuego, both longtime Sivan collaborators, provide continuity. Leland has co-written many of Sivan’s biggest songs, including “Rush” and “Bloom,” while Styalz Fuego has contributed production work that blends electronic and organic textures. The combination of these talents creates a rich backdrop for Sivan’s lyrics, which are both specific and universal in their praise of an unnamed woman.
A Music Video Starring Nicole Kidman
Nicole Kidman’s appearance in the video underscores the themes of feminine power and admiration that run through the song. Kidman and Sivan first worked together on Boy Erased, a 2018 drama about conversion therapy in which Sivan played a supporting role and Kidman starred as the mother of the protagonist. The film was a critical darling, and Sivan has repeatedly cited Kidman as one of the most generous and inspiring people he has met in Hollywood. Their friendship has endured, with Kidman even attending some of Sivan’s concerts and public events. For Sivan, having her in the video is not just a celebrity cameo but a meaningful collaboration with someone he genuinely admires.
The video itself, based on Sivan’s comments, will likely feature a series of vignettes that celebrate beauty in everyday moments. The reference to “references” suggests a visual concept that is carefully crafted, perhaps drawing on film or fashion aesthetics. Kidman’s involvement will undoubtedly draw attention, but Sivan’s focus remains on the emotional core of the song. His description of her as “the divine feminine” speaks to a broader theme that he hopes to explore throughout the album: the importance of women in shaping his identity and worldview.
What to Expect from the Album
She’s the Best arrives on Oct. 9, and Sivan has described it as a “crazy journey” with contrasting moods. On one hand, there are “high-octane” moments that feel “bombastic,” implying energetic, club-ready tracks that continue the sound of Something to Give Each Other. On the other hand, there are more introspective songs that reveal “the interior of my mind,” marked by a “deep sense of longing.” This duality could make for an album that feels both celebratory and deeply personal, with Sivan navigating happiness and vulnerability in equal measure.
Fans are likely to read the album title as a statement of intent. By naming the project after a song that praises women, Sivan is signaling a shift in perspective. He has always been open about his identity and experiences, but this new work seems less focused on romantic relationships and more on the platonic and familial connections that have sustained him. The women he has worked with—Ariana Grande, Lily-Rose Depp, and Charli XCX, among others—have all played roles in his life, and the album may be seen as an homage to those relationships. “To be able to have made music with Ariana [Grande] or Lily-Rose Depp, then touring with Charli [xcx] and growing up alongside her…I’ve always just loved being in the orbit of these women,” he said.
The lead single’s blend of personal storytelling and collaborative craft is a good omen for the album. Sivan has never been afraid to experiment, and working with new producers like Daniel alongside trusted collaborators suggests he is willing to take risks while remaining grounded in the sounds that define him. The secret Charli XCX cameo is a delightful surprise for fans who have followed both artists, and it highlights the tight-knit community of pop musicians who continue to inspire each other.
Industry Reactions and Fan Excitement
Early reactions to “She’s The Best” have been enthusiastic, with fans and critics praising the song’s warm tone and Sivan’s vocal delivery. The announcement of the album has generated significant buzz, especially after the long gap since his last release. Something to Give Each Other came out in 2023, and Sivan has spent the intervening time touring and working on new material. The new album’s October release date gives fans something to look forward to as the year winds down, and the single is likely to be a staple on playlists in the coming weeks.
The music video’s Nicole Kidman cameo has also sparked conversation, with many noting the unexpected pairing and the chemistry between the two actors. Sivan’s ability to attract major collaborators—both in music and in film—speaks to his standing in the entertainment industry. He has moved comfortably between music, acting, and fashion, becoming a multifaceted star whose influence extends beyond any single medium.
As Sivan prepares to release She’s the Best, he is entering a new phase of his career, one defined by gratitude and celebration rather than introspection and turmoil. The first single captures that spirit beautifully, with its flattering lyrics and polished production. The secret Charli XCX cameo adds a layer of intimacy, a nod to the friendships that make such projects meaningful. With an album on the horizon and a video that features one of the most respected actresses in the world, Sivan is poised to continue his evolution as one of pop’s most compelling stars.
Source:Rolling Stone News