4.5 out of 5.0 stars4.5
On June 7, Charli XCX dropped her new album “BRAT,” which arguably set the tone for the summer. Music in general is compelling and can influence moods, society and perspectives, which is exactly what “BRAT” did. With its hype and upbeat style, public figures ranging from content creators to politicians collectively coined the phrase “brat summer” as a positive label for how they would be spending this season. “Brat summer” embraces the hot mess of living a busy, exciting life while remaining iconic through the chaos.

The word “brat” typically holds a negative connotation, associated with bad behavior. However, Charli XCX is redefining this word, making it exciting, fierce and obtainable. “Brat” is no longer an insult, but rather a congratulation.

In the first track of the album, Charli begins with the song “360,” which is about making your own powerful choices and feeling stylish while doing it. Charli sings, “I set the tone, it’s my design / And it’s stuck in your mind.” The title “360” also helps remind Charli’s listeners that they’re stunning at every angle and are always the main event no matter what. It’s hard to listen to this song and not immediately feel important and empowered.

Charli wittily closes her album with the song “365,” which consists of the same beat and melody as “360” and brings the album full circle. It shows a degree of growth through the album, shifting from “360” to “365.”

Following this similar vibe of owning the spotlight and being the center of attention, 365 is about being the life of the party and owning it every day of the year.

The track “Von dutch” is also just as empowering, with the first lyrics of the song being, “It’s okay to just admit that you’re jealous of me.” The sassiness and confident undertones undeniably shine through each song on the album.

In addition to the full circle feature — which makes the album more cohesive and personable — Charli sings about themes of girlhood, anxieties and fears, all while remaining catchy and exciting. In retrospect, this could be why this album has received so much praise. Listeners can find comfort in Charli’s lyrics about navigating difficult relationships, both with ourselves and with others, instead of simply enjoying a one-dimensional track of pop music.

The track “Apple” touches on this theme of complex identities and has gone viral on TikTok with over 1 million uses of the sound. The song says, “I think the apple’s rotten right to the core / From all the things passed down / From all the apples coming before.” The lyrics in “Apple” hint at the concept of family lines and relationships as well playing at the metaphor “the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.” It is a complex subject to discuss in a song that’s otherwise seen as hype and lively, yet Charli has still done it with ease.

Charli XCX and her new album are exploratory, as the artist exposes the duality of messy, loud club music while also remaining confident and collected. She shows us that club music can have depth and more structure than simply serving as music to get ready and dance to.

Charli XCX and her upbeat sound also represent a feeling of comfort and nostalgia for those who may remember hearing her on the radio when her song “Boom Clap” dropped in 2014. “BRAT” proves that her powerful messaging through her lyricism remains consistent, even a decade after many of her notable hits were released.