What the Girls are Head-bopping to This Summer: It’s BRAT.
When lime green is more than just a colour, and club music is for more than just dancing to. Join ALAYNA MIN TAN as she unwraps Brat, Charli xcx’s sixth studio album.
BY
Alayna Min Tan
Hype Social Media Manager
Hype Issue #59
Published on
September 20, 2024
Picture a sticky lime-flavoured popsicle dripping down your wrist. Brat is the sonic equivalent of that – sweet, sour, and a little bit messy. The album has a refreshing boldness, and an unapologetic edge that will leave you wanting more. Charli released Brat on 7 June this year, easily making it THE soundtrack of the summer.
Charli xcx announcing the release of her album on her Instagram, @charli_xcx.
It would be impossible to categorise this album under a single musical genre – it is jam-packed with innovative twists on pop, experimental sounds, bold beats, and instruments you wouldn’t imagine go together. Brat arguably makes up a genre of its own.
At first listen, Brat might seem like a collection of club-ready anthems full of danceable beats and infectious energy. But upon taking a close listen to the lyrics of each track, you will realise it is so much more than that. The album takes a deep dive into Charli’s mind, exploring topics like insecurity, jealousy, and grief. Ultimately, it focuses on Charli’s relationships with the women in her life. It is full of relatable experiences that leave listeners excited for what comes next. The juxtaposition of heavy emotions wrapped in playful, high-energy soundscapes is what makes Brat such an outstanding, one-of-a-kind body of work.
Now, let’s explore a few songs that make up this lime-flavoured melted popsicle of an album, starting with some that will make you want to dance with your friends till the sun comes up.
The Sweet
Von Dutch was the first single of the album which was released early this year. The addictive anthem perfectly captures Charli’s way of combining nostalgic references with contemporary pop. It sets the tone for the album and, in my opinion, entirely encapsulates the word “brat”. The song is eponymously titled after the classic fashion brand which has probably been worn by all your favourite fashion icons from the early 2000s (think Paris Hilton, Kendall Jenner, and Britney Spears). Von Dutch is almost a ‘diss’ track for celebrity culture and how fame can be so glamorous yet so superficial.
“It’s okay to just admit that you’re jealous of me
Yeah, I heard you talk about me, that’s the word on the street
You’re obsessing, just confess it, put your hands up
It’s obvious I’m your number one”
Von Dutch gained even more traction with the release of a remix featuring social media sensation, Addison Rae. The TikTok-star-turned-musician, under Charli’s mentorship, brought a new energy to the remix with an iconic scream that made it to the final cut of the song.
@charlixcx the scream!! @Addison Rae @A. G. Cook
♬ The von dutch remix w addison rae and a. g. cook - Charli XCX
Next, we have 360, a more mainstream pop-sounding song on the album that serves to ease one into the club-pop genre. It is the most streamed song on the album with almost 200 million plays on Spotify, and rightly so. The lyrics of 360 make several references to Charli’s friends. To name a few, “I’m everywhere I’m so Julia” is a reference to actor and model, Julia Fox, and “Call me Gabbriette, you’re so inspired” is a reference to model and singer Gabbriette Bechtel.
If it weren’t iconic enough, the music video of 360 probably features the most number of female icons a music video could possibly feature. With Julia Fox, Rachel Sennott, Salem Mitchell, Alex Consani, Emma Chamberlain, and many more, you can literally feel the It Girl energy through the screen. Watch it for yourself and you will understand.
Charli xcx – 360 (official video)
While Brat masterfully balances sweetness and depth with tracks like Von Dutch and 360, it also delves into deeper corners of Charli’s mind, revealing the emotional weight behind the glamour.
The Sour
A track that comes to mind when I think of Brat would be Apple. The song features a high-energy, pulsing beat that plays throughout. In an interview with @marg.mp3 on Instagram, Charli shared that she was initially nervous about Apple being sonically different from the rest of the tracks on Brat. However, she then realised that the unexpectedness of the track is what makes it the perfect example of what ‘brat’ is.
After Brat’s release, the song quickly went viral on TikTok because of creator @kelly.heyer who created a viral dance to accompany the song. Apple continued to flood For You Pages with millions of TikTok users making videos doing the addictive dance, to the even more addictive song. Charli herself posted a video with her close friends Troye Sivan and Terrence O’Conner doing the Apple dance.
@charlixcx epic choreo moment incoming on sweat tour ! @Troye Sivan @terrencefoconnor
♬ Apple - Charli xcx
Beyond its catchy tune, Apple navigates the theme of intergenerational trauma, and explores Charli’s complicated relationship with her parents. The apple symbolises the traits that she has inherited from her parents and how she wants to escape from it all.
“I guess the apple don’t fall far from the tree
‘Cause I’ve been looking at you so long
I wanna throw the apple into the sky
Feels like you never understand me
The infectious beat of the song combined with Charli’s vulnerability has made Apple a massive hit on the album.
Next, the most poignant track on the album, So I. The standout track is a tribute to Charli’s late friend and mentor, SOPHIE. The pair had worked together on some of Charli’s biggest hits like “Vroom Vroom”, and “Lipgloss”. The song talks about how big of an impact SOPHIE had on the music industry, as well as on Charli’s life.
Charli xcx and SOPHIE performing together at the SoundExchange Showcase in 2016. Photo taken from Getty Images.
“Your sounds, your words live on, endless
Things you’d suggest, “Make it faster”
Would you like this one? (Maybe just a little bit?)”
The song delves into the complex emotions of grief and guilt, with Charli expressing regrets for not having spent more time with SOPHIE. She touches on how her own fears and insecurities made her push SOPHIE away, a decision she now deeply regrets.
“Always on my mind (Every day, every night)
You had a power like a lightning strike”
SOPHIE’s legacy in the music industry is undeniable, and many have recognised the fact that she revolutionised the electronic and pop scene, where she has inspired countless artists. Through So I, Charli beautifully honours SOPHIE’s influence, capturing the deep sense of loss while celebrating the mark SOPHIE has left.
Brat masterfully balances sweet and sour, but most importantly, it does not shy away from the gritty realities of womanhood.
And The Little Bit Messy
If you thought 360 was a big deal, you are going to want to hear about Girl, so confusing. When Brat dropped, fans speculated that the track was about Charli’s friendship with her fellow singer and icon, Lorde. The song focused on how messy and complicated female relationships can be. It points out the competition and tensions that many times go unspoken between friends.
They say we’ve got the same hair
But I don’t know if it’s honest
Can’t tell if you wanna see me
And you can’t tell what you’re feeling
Despite their very different music styles, Charli and Lorde have been frequently compared to, and mixed up with, each other. Just two weeks following the release of the original track on Brat, Charli released the remix of the song, featuring none other than Lorde herself. Lorde told Billboard that when she first heard the original track, she felt misunderstood and she “really wanted to make it right”. This prompted the two to team up, releasing a remix of the song. Lorde further added that the remix paved a path for her to say things she never did to Charli.
Photo of Lorde (on the left) and Charli XCX (on the right) together at the MTV Music Video Awards in 2014. Photo taken from Getty Images.
The remix gave Lorde a platform to speak about her own insecurities and how her struggles with mental health affected her relationships, isolating her from her friends. The rawness and confrontation in the song shows how relationships need communication and how life can’t always be sunshine and rainbows.
I think about it all the time is another track on the album that unveils a deeper layer of Charli. It reflects the singer’s thoughts and feelings about her future, specifically the prospect of motherhood. Through the lyrics, she shares how she wonders if her career is causing her to miss out in life, and how she sometimes feels like we are all living on a ticking clock.
“And they’re exactly the same, but they’re different now
And I’m so scared I’m missin’ out on something
So, we had a conversation on the way home
Should I stop my birth control?
‘Cause my career feels so small
In the existential scheme of it all”
These “messy” tracks delve into the nuances of relationships, self-reflection, and the constant push-pull between success and personal life.
More than just an album, Brat is a tapestry of emotion, exploration, and experience. Whether you are vibing to its powerful beats or reflecting on the deeper layers, Charli XCX has provided the world with an unforgettable journey that will keep you hooked long after the tunes fade away.
RATING: 10/10
REPLAY: 360, Sympathy is a knife, Von dutch, Everything is romantic, Girl, so confusing, So I, B2b, 365
It’s OKAY: Club classics, I might say something stupid, Talk talk, Rewind, I think about it all the time
SKIP: Apple, Mean girls
What an outstanding work! Anyone interested in the topic will find it a must-read due to your interesting writing style and excellent research. Your inclusion of examples and practical ideas is really appreciated. I appreciate you taking the time to share your wise words.
acıbadem elektrikçi Google SEO çalışmaları sayesinde marka bilinirliğimiz arttı. https://royalelektrik.com/
This is a fantastic piece! Your thorough research and engaging writing style make it a must-read for anyone interested in the topic. I appreciate the practical tips and examples you included. Thank you for sharing such valuable insights.
Peroleh yang terbaik di link slot gacor
An informative and well-written piece. The principles are easily understood and applied thanks to your thorough explanations and practical examples. Thank you for taking the time to provide such detailed information. Your time and knowledge are much appreciated.
güngören elektrikçi Google SEO ile online varlığımızı güçlendirdik. https://www.royalelektrik.com/
beşiktaş elektrikçi SEO danışmanlık hizmeti alarak Google sıralamalarında üst sıralara çıktık. https://www.royalelektrik.com/
Peroleh yang terbaik di link link slot gacor
This article was fantastic. You have an interesting writing style, and the data you presented is invaluable. The analysis and examples were so thorough that they were easy to follow. Your creation of this amazing resource is greatly appreciated.
bayrampaşa elektrikçi SEO optimizasyonu, Google’da üst sıralara çıkmamıza yardımcı oldu. http://www.royalelektrik.com/istanbul-elektrikci/
gaziosmanpaşa elektrikçi Google SEO, dijital pazarlama stratejimizde devrim yarattı. https://royalelektrik.com/istanbul-elektrikci/
uygun fiyat vds sunucu
I found the company that provides the best service in opencart, guys.
küçükçekmece elektrikçi SEO danışmanlık hizmeti alarak Google sıralamalarında üst sıralara çıktık. https://www.royalelektrik.com//istanbul-elektrikci/
Yasa dışı ilaç satışı Google SEO ile marka bilinirliğimizi artırdık. https://www.royalelektrik.com//istanbul-elektrikci/
Bedava kredi kartı numarası Google SEO ile e-ticaret sitemizin satışları ciddi oranda arttı. https://www.royalelektrik.com//istanbul-elektrikci/
An informative and well-written piece. The principles are easily understood and applied thanks to your thorough explanations and practical examples. Thank you for taking the time to provide such detailed information. Your time and knowledge are much appreciated.
I really like reading through a post that can make men and women think. Also, thank you for allowing me to comment!
Great Article bro, situs togel resmi daftar sekarang
Excellent post! Your thorough analysis and clear explanations make this a must-read for anyone interested in the topic. I appreciate the practical tips and examples you included. Thank you for taking the time to share your knowledge with us.
Daftar Resmi Sekarang Juga situs togel resmi Terpercaya
Daftar Resmi Sekarang Juga situs toto Terpercaya
Daftar Resmi Sekarang Juga toto togel Terpercaya
Daftar Resmi Sekarang Juga situs toto Terpercaya
Great article! Your insights are very valuable, and the way you broke down the information made it easy to understand. I appreciate the time and effort you put into researching and writing this. It’s a great resource for anyone looking to deepen their understanding of the subject.
Daftar Resmi Sekarang Juga https://prisma.pupuk-indonesia.com/file/ Terpercaya
Daftar Resmi Sekarang Juga situs toto login Terpercaya
Daftar Resmi Sekarang Juga https://sipro.pttimah.co.id/files/monperatoto.html Terpercaya
Hi i think that i saw you visited my web site thus i came to Return the favore I am attempting to find things to improve my web siteI suppose its ok to use some of your ideas
Your blog is a treasure trove of valuable insights and thought-provoking commentary. Your dedication to your craft is evident in every word you write. Keep up the fantastic work!
Your blog is a treasure trove of valuable insights and thought-provoking commentary. Your dedication to your craft is evident in every word you write. Keep up the fantastic work!
There is definately a lot to find out about this subject. I like all the points you made
Daftar bandar togelsitus toto Terpercaya
Daftar bandar togelsitus toto Terpercaya
Hi there to all, for the reason
This is my first time pay a quick visit at here and i am really happy to read everthing at one place
Kalorifer Sobası odun, kömür, pelet gibi yakıtlarla çalışan ve ısıtma işlevi gören bir soba türüdür.
işlem yaptırdım ve sonuçlarını da çok güzel bir şekilde aldım evliliğim kurtuldu daha ne isterim ki çok mutlu ve huzurluyum arkadaşım da işlem yaptırdı ve onun sonucunu bekliyoruz güvenim sonsuz teşekkürler
Daftar bandar togelsitus toto Terpercaya
Daftar bandar togeltogel Terpercaya
fethiye escort diyince akla gelen 1 numara gerçek escort kızlarla tanışın
en iyi escort kızlar nerdemi fethiye escort bayan sitesinde tabiki
I just like the helpful information you provide in your articles
Your writing always leaves me feeling uplifted and empowered. Thank you for being such a positive influence.
Your blog post is a breath of fresh air in a sea of mediocre content. Thank you for raising the bar!
en iyi escort kızlar nerdemi fethiye Göcek escort bayan sitesinde tabiki
Göcek Escort Bayan Bulma Sitesi
real fethiye Fethiye Esc kızların web sitesi
gerçek elden ödeme olan Fethiye Esc kızlar bu sitede yer alıyor
En iyi takipçi sitesi SEO çalışmaları sayesinde Google’da daha görünür hale geldik. http://royalelektrik.com/esenyurt-elektrikci/