Charli xcx - BRAT | Album Review

August 07, 2024

Charli xcx - BRAT

Release Date: June 7, 2024

Genre: Electropop, Electronic Dance Music

Album Overview

Charli XCX's "Brat" is a groundbreaking dive into her most daring and introspective work to date. This album delivers a sonic landscape that blends energetic hyperpop with gritty club beats, showcasing her evolution from her earlier works to a bold new direction. The production results in a vibrant, eclectic soundscape that is both exhilarating and emotionally raw. The album moves between infectious dance anthems and poignant ballads, reflecting her personal struggles with fame and vulnerability. The opening track, with its captivating chorus and inventive production, sets the tone brilliantly as Charli reflects on her impact within the industry. Songs like “Club Classics” and “So I” delve into the loss of her friend SOPHIE, who helped reinvent Charli’s sound, adding layers of melancholy and reflection. Charli’s performances are compelling, demonstrating her versatility and ability to convey deep emotions through varied vocal styles.

The album’s strength lies in its rapaciously omnivorous sonic palette, incorporating elements from seemingly every musical style that crossed into the mainstream in the 2010s. The production, guided by A.G. Cook, stands out for its experimental and daring approach, seamlessly blending diverse influences into a cohesive whole while maintaining a bare-hearted sincerity that eschews the typical hip sneering derision and irony of hyperpop. This is Charli at her peak, seamlessly blending the avant-garde with the populist, producing club bangers with an arthouse flair. Despite minor flaws, "Brat" reaffirms Charli XCX’s position as a hyperpop icon while exploring new emotional depths, making it a must-listen for both long-time fans and newcomers alike. Its acclaim is well-earned, standing as a powerful testament to Charli XCX's unique voice and unyielding innovation in pop music.

Standout Tracks

360

The opening track sets the tone for the album, with a captivating chorus and inventive production. Charli reflects on her impact within the industry, suggesting that a 360-degree view of the industry reveals nothing more than a mirror image of herself and her influence.

Sympathy is a knife

My personal favorite song on this LP reveals Charli's inner struggles, suggesting that insincere sympathy from others cuts deeply and leaves her feeling confused and 'spiraling.' This track showcases Charli's unique voice, blending vulnerability with raw emotion.

Talk talk

The song stands out with one of the album's catchiest choruses. Detailing the beginning of Charli's relationship with George Daniel, this track highlights their unspoken attraction during their first in-person meeting, at the NME Awards.

Girl, so confusing

Initially speculated to address Charli XCX's friendship with Lorde (later confirmed with the remix), this song explores themes of friendship, insecurity, and girlhood. Charli delves into the complexities of female identity, highlighted by a powerful beat and the repeated use of 'girl.'