BRAT

Charli XCX’s sixth studio album, BRAT, was released on June 7, 2024. With this record, Charli XCX embraces a more aggressive, club-oriented sound, drawing from the 2000s English rave scene while maintaining her distinctive style. Produced by Charli herself, alongside longtime collaborator A. G. Cook, Finn Keane, Cirkut, and her partner George Daniel, BRAT builds on the experimental edge that defined her previous work, especially her critically acclaimed Crash (2022).

The album’s release was preceded by a high-profile rollout, beginning with the announcement on February 28, 2024, just a day before the release of the lead single “Von Dutch.” Charli XCX described BRAT as her “most aggressive and confrontational record,” while also revealing its deeply personal and vulnerable aspects. The promotional campaign included a Boiler Room warehouse set where she debuted snippets of tracks such as “Spring Breakers” and “365,” featuring appearances from Addison Rae and Julia Fox. The release strategy continued with the single “360” dropping on May 10, 2024, accompanied by a music video described by Charli as her “best music video ever,” featuring a roster of notable personalities including Gabbriette, Chloë Sevigny, Julia Fox, and Rachel Sennott.

BRAT has been met with widespread acclaim, debuting at number two on the UK Albums Chart and achieving a number three debut on the US Billboard 200, making it her highest-debuting album to date. The album has been recognized as the highest-rated album of 2024 by Metacritic and is positioned as the 16th-highest-rated album of all time as of July 2024. The deluxe edition, released on June 10, 2024, features three additional tracks, further extending the album’s dynamic range.

The sound of BRAT channels the raw and intense energy of the underground rave scene where Charli XCX first made a name for herself. Critics have noted its blend of electropop, hyperpop, electroclash, and dance styles, comparing it to 2000s-era Ministry of Sound compilations and Rihanna’s Loud (2010). The album’s aesthetic is described as a unique minimalism that is “loud and bold,” with its cover art becoming a viral sensation. The “Brat summer” trend, which includes a “Brat generator” tool allowing fans to replicate the cover with custom text, reflects the album’s cultural impact.

Thematically, BRAT explores various aspects of Charli XCX’s personal life and career. Tracks like “Girl, So Confusing” delve into her complex relationships with other artists, with speculation suggesting it addresses her contentious relationship with Lorde. “Sympathy Is a Knife” and “Rewind” further illustrate her emotional and professional struggles, including references to high-profile figures like Taylor Swift and Matty Healy. “Mean Girls,” inspired by Dasha Nekrasova and Julia Fox, critiques societal fascination with the “mean girl” archetype, while “So I” provides a poignant exploration of grief following the death of Sophie.

The deluxe edition’s additional tracks, including “Hello Goodbye” and “Guess,” offer a more playful and provocative side of Charli XCX. “Spring Breakers” comments on her perceived exclusion from major industry events like the Grammys. The album’s striking green cover art and the London Eye’s lime green lighting on its release day have cemented *Brat* as a significant and influential release in Charli XCX’s career, combining personal introspection with a bold and innovative sonic palette.