It's fun when the elusive Sky Ferreira sings on a song, even when that song apparently is not hers. That happened just a couple of months ago when she teamed up with Charli XCX on "Eyes Of The World," a track from Charli's Wuthering Heights album. But in the past few weeks, Ferreira — who's only released a handful of singles in the past decade — has suggested that her fingerprints are a lot more prominent than we realized.
Back in February upon the release of Wuthering Heights, Ferreira responded to a meme post on Instagram about Charli dragging her into the studio to make the album. "To record my old songs," Ferreira commented, without any further clarification.
More recently, a fan named Leon (@skyferrori) caught attention on X for posting a since-deleted screenshot of a text exchange with an "industry insider" who claimed that aside from "Eyes Of The World," Wuthering Heights songs "Chains Of Love" and "Altars" were lifted from unreleased Ferreira demos. (Credited co-writers for both “Eyes Of The World” and “Chains Of Love” are Charli, Justin Raisen, Finn Keane, and Gareth Murphy. All except Keane are also credited writers on “Altars.”) Last Friday, Leon reposted a clip of Ferreira's "Everything Is Embarrassing" video, commenting "I wonder what's her form of income."
Ferreira isn't on X, but she found Leon's Instagram page and used the comments there to respond: "I toured for years. I work. I hate to break it to you, but your favorite artist records my old songs." In another comment, she wrote: "Your industry 'insider' is wrong. Close but wrong." In the longest comment, she went into detail:
I wasn't going to say anything. I’m over being dragged & humiliated for no reason. It brought back a lot of things I have worked really hard to move past. No one “saved” or helped me. My life was destroyed for over 10 years & it’s a public joke. Publications etc. It isn't funny. It allows people to disrespect & take advantage of me, or to manipulate multiple situations based on their perception of me. I wasn't allowed to do anything. I mind my own business so I don't know why everything is so loaded. I don't want to be harassed. I don't want the actions of multiple people fucking things up for me & my album. I’m an honest person. People don't care about the truth. It's about whatever narrative is fitting or more exciting. I’m glad I can finally move on with my life.
Charli previously enlisted Ferreira for her 2019 Charli single "Cross You Out," which came just a few months after Ferreira dropped "Downhill Lullaby," which was meant to be the lead single to her exhaustingly-delayed sophomore album Masochism. Since then, as a lead artist, she's released the single "Don't Forget" and the Babygirl soundtrack song "Leash."
UPDATE: Ferreira has added more context in Stereogum’s Instagram comments. After a user posted:
If everyone in your life is crazy and awful…. chances are, you might be the common problem?? I’m a huge fan of most of Sky’s work (the Ghost EP, NTMT, Cross You Out w/ Charli, and Leash from Babygirl)… but the scapegoating everyone seemingly except yourself in your own life’s trajectory.. not a great look. It’s giving zero self awareness.
The singer responded:
you mean the record label that made it impossible for me to do anything, including work outside of music for over 10 years? People need to stop taking this out of context. I explained why I don't think it’s funny because it was real & damaged my life. … the reality is it allows people to take advantage of me. This is how the music industry works. It’s been proven over & over again throughout history. Idk why that’s so hard to believe. Acknowledging the truth doesn't mean I have a victim complex.
Another fan asked, “Sky I love you with all my heart, but at this point, after you’re no longer under contact with Capitol since 2023, why aren’t you releasing music?” Ferreira responded to that person:
It was toward the end of 2023 & the terms weren't settled until mid/late 2024. I toured most of 2024. I signed to a new label in 2025. I started completely over songwriting wise. I don't own my previous recordings so I’m re-recording a few songs. … my music & life exist offline
UPDATE: Charli's management has issued a statement to Billboard, saying Wuthering Heights was finalized under a "standard review process." It reads in full:
Charli has made seven albums, four mixtapes and one EP, and has written countless songs for other artists throughout her career. She began as a songwriter with "I Love It," and her work has been recorded by and pitched to multiple artists. She has her own personal history with publishing and production negotiations and because of this, she always shares credits fairly and appropriately, and values her collaborators tremendously.
Ahead of the Wuthering Heights album release, a standard review process was conducted on a small number of tracks from the album, including fragments of material originating from earlier sessions. This process involved managers, legal representatives, artists and producers, and included a thorough review of archival materials and demo recordings.
All relevant parties were consulted throughout, and the album was played in full in advance of release to everyone. Songwriting credits and splits were determined and agreed collectively in writing, with reference to documented timelines and contributions.
All credits were finalized and formally approved by the appropriate parties prior to the album’s release.
Ferreira also added another comment on Stereogum’s Instagram about the situation.
