The Take-Over of Brat
By: Jillian Antretter
The brat album cover.
Let’s rewind to June 7, 2024. This day marks the moment British pop star, Charli XCX, dropped her sixth studio album, brat. Most people know exactly why this album took over summer 2024, or as others may call it, “brat summer.” Charli XCX gifted the Internet with an alter ego of being messy, making mistakes, and understanding who you are. brat teaches listeners that the minute you start to worry, just party through it all. Charli XCX creates a complex character on brat for people to truly understand her music as an artist in an industry that overlooks individuality. To gain a real insight into brat as an album, you must understand the origin of Charli XCX in the hyper-pop subculture.
In 2008, at the age of fourteen, she began releasing her music on Myspace. During this time, she caught the attention of a local promoter in her native Essex and started performing at raves, where her parents were in the crowd given her young age of 14. Her parents demanded they be present. Little did any of them know, but they were witnessing the launch of the hyper-pop genre with Charli XCX at the forefront of the movement. You're all probably wondering, what is hyper-pop? It’s a music genre known for its experimental sounds, chaotic blends of pop, and electronic beats. This genre emerged from Internet-based music scenes, constantly thriving through substructure audiences and a rejection of mainstream music.
The early creation of hyper-pop had a lack of radio play and media attention, never getting the airtime it truly deserved. Hyper-pop had trouble breaking into the mainstream because of the fact that it pushed boundaries in an industry that worships timeless tracks that appeal to almost anyone. What people seemingly overlook is that hyper pop is closely associated with the LGBTQ+ community. Internet-based music became a safe haven for LGBTQ+ artists and listeners. The online environment that hyper-pop created embraced themes of identity, fluidity, nonconformity, camp and self expression. Many of the leading artists of hyper-pop, especially Dorian Electra and the late SOPHIE, are openly queer and have centered their music around gender norms and sexuality.
Due to hyper-pop emerging from internet culture, it is only natural that brat would gain major popularity online. Charli XCX created an album that became the Talk Talk (referencing track 5) of the summer. It wasn't just an album, brat is a character with an attitude that embraces imperfections. During the rise of brat, Charli XCX posted a TikTok video explaining to her fans the mindset of brat saying, “You're just like that girl who is a little messy and likes to party and maybe says something dumb sometimes, who feels herself but maybe also has a breakdown, but kind of like parties through it, is very honest, very blunt, but it's brat, you're brat, that’s brat.” Charli XCX knew exactly how to communicate with her fans, she wanted them to fully understand the character she created, and remind us that life is nothing but imperfections.
“Hey Siri, play 360 by Chari XCX. The first song on the brat track list, that perfectly describes what is and who is brat. The music video for “360” features a long list of internet it-girls that are the embodiment of being brat. Seen in the music video, Julia Fox, Rachel Sennott, Emma Chamberlain, Alex Consani, Queen Blackwell, Chloe Cherry, Isamaya Ffrench, Salem Mitchell, Hari Nef, Richie Shazam, Gabbriette and more are the brat it-girls of the Internet.
These are women who have empowered the internet culture by highlighting self expression, embracing personal style, speaking their minds, not caring what anyone thinks, and celebrating life. Within the song, Charli XCX uses lyrics like “Call me Gabbriette, " or creating the headline of brat, “I’m so Julia”, the popular phrase that has almost everyone embodying the personality of Julia Fox. Known for her bold choices in fashion and having a large platform on social media for speaking her mind.
During “brat summer” fashion revolved around the aesthetic of Y2K, playing with vibrant colors, oversized accessories, mini skirts, and edgy styles. Creating the ultimate party look, to go almost anywhere. brat fashion is the unique mindset of blending chaotic colors or silhouettes and going against fashion norms. The brat aesthetic promotes diversity, where young internet influencers have expressed their own personal style including gender identity and body inclusivity. Creating a fashion realm where individuality and authenticity thrive.
Even though “brat summer” has sadly come to an end, it doesn't mean we can’t have a “brat autumn.” Charli XCX is currently performing at sold out arenas on the SWEAT tour, with Troye Sivan, bringing together all those who embody the brat character. But that’s not all for “brat autumn”, Charli XCX took to Instagram sharing that another brat album will be out October 11th, 2024. Stating, “brat and it's completely different but also still brat.” Drawing inspiration from her previous covers, “brat and it’s the same but there’s three more songs so it’s not.” After both album covers circled social media, people created worded covers and even brands using it for marketing purposes.
Thanks to Charli XCX, she has created a cultural internet phenomenon. Reminding the world from the title of her song “Girl, so confusing” featuring Lorde, teaching us through lyrics that “it's so confusing sometimes to be a girl.” Charli XCX uses her music to be straightforward with her lyrics, singing exactly how she feels, nothing is said metaphorically. In a world of brat, nothing is hidden, be bold in any choice that you make because life is so confusing.
So, remember the when you see or wear the acid green we have all come to love, to scream “brat”.
