Charli XCX’s Brat Is Not Just An Album, It’s A Lifestyle

On June 7th, Charli XCX released her sixth album, Brat. The iconic album cover and Charli XCX’s energetic music bring back a messy, cool, and unapologetically fun aesthetic.

Think of messy pop divas, the flashing lights of paparazzi, and glitter everywhere. However, the album is so much more than that. 

In the current culture, being a pop girl means being an infallible role model and embracing girl boss energy. It’s perfecting the tedious balance of being down-to-earth at the height of fame, honest, and vulnerable while also being a saint incapable of error.

Charli XCX goes against the current culture by being wholly and ultimately herself. She oscillates between being a love struck, untouchable party girl and a 30-something dealing with sobering topics such as insecurity and motherhood in one of the most vulnerable current-day albums. 

She pairs her vulnerability with electronic beats so loud they’ll reverberate through your car, robotic autotune, and a buzzing tattoo gun in the song Guess off her deluxe album Brat and it’s the same but there’s three more songs so it’s not, which released on June 10th. 

Outside of the electric, addictive beats and catchy, relatable lyricism, what is it to be a “brat,” and what does it mean to have a “Brat summer,” as TikTok has dubbed the phenomenon?

It’s the antithesis to the “clean girl” peaceful perfection that has taken over the world and brought on an era of chaos and fun that is perfect for summer. According to Charli XCX, it means “you’re just like that girl who is a little messy and likes to party and maybe says dumb things sometimes.” in a TikTok series called Off The Record.  

In a world of consumerism and overpriced everything, the essence of the “brat” look is effortless to replicate. Core components of the style are little white tank tops, oversized sunglasses, messy hair, smudged black eyeliner, and, of course, a hint of the signature neon green. 

The album cover’s replicability has also sparked a slew of viral memes. The brat online generator even allows fans to create their takes on the album cover. Brands such as Field Roast, a plant-based meat and cheese company, have utilized the album’s simplicity and virality to their advantage in their neon green brat wurst billboard in Toronto.

The vibes of “Euro summer” and “Barbie summer” have a caveat attached. They exude a certain “put togetherness,” but “Brat summer” means everything and nothing. It can be going out until 3 a.m. and being a mess, or it can mean healing and getting a matcha latte or just painting your nails neon green. 

The energy and aura the Brat album exudes is vibrant, electric and invites anyone and everyone to join.