“Brat” by Charli XCX being this good does not make sense: the forward-thinking production, the cunning and introspective lyricism, the sincere tribute to old and new friends. There’s also other components as well: the album’s camp, its sporadic pacing and its need for self-indulgence. These clashing elements should not make for an album as cohesive and complete as it is.
However, it just works.
Charli XCX’s sixth studio album, “Brat” is confusing as it is liberating. It fuses pop and electronic music in such a stylistic way that makes it exciting to listen to. Instead of meandering electronic dance music over a catchy albeit basic pop chorus, it tackles interesting themes that Charli has never written about before such as motherhood, death, bodily insecurities, etc.
This mixing of lyrical and production prowess by both Charli and executive-producer A.G. Cook, makes for the perfect storm for Charli to top the charts critically and commercially. She has received rave reviews from huge music outlets such as theneedledrop (10), Pitchfork (8.6), The Line of Best Fit (9) and Paste (9).
Charli’s multi-conglomeration of her queer, women, young and old fans might be enough to get her positioned on a whole other level critically and culturally.
To talk about the music for a second again, “Brat” succeeds on multiple levels and throughout its runtime it proves to the listener that it will be in their memories for years to come.
The first track, “360,” which is looped into by its sister-remix track, “365,” at the end of the record, talks about Charli’s commercial success and what it took to get her there.
“That city sewer sl*t’s the vibe/Internationally recognized/I set the tone, it’s my design/And it’s stuck in your mind/Legacy is undebated/You gon’ jump if A. G. made it/If you love it, if you hate it/I don’t f***ing care what you think,” Charli sings on “360.”
The other singles on the record including the electric “Von Dutch,” the hypnotic “B2b” and the bass-thumping “Club Classics,” each have their own strengths but share the same weakness: they are not long enough. I simply cannot get enough of each song.
“Brat” does not peak at the singles however, “So I” “Everything is romantic,” “Apple” and “Talk Talk” are also exceedingly fantastic. Normally, singers drenched in auto-tune for an entire record does not work, but for Charli, the effect paints her in a synthetic and futuristic light; someone who is damaged by the fast-moving pace of the world.
This is especially true with the track, “Sympathy is a knife.”
“’Cause I couldn’t even be her if I tried/I’m opposite, I’m on the other side/I feel all these feelings I can’t control/Oh no, don’t know why/All this sympathy is just a knife/Why I can’t even grit my teeth and lie?/I feel all these feelings I can’t control (Oh no),” Charli sings.
Charli is torn between herself in reality and her twisted perception of herself in her mind. This is a very common idea that a lot of young people struggle with, especially in internet-focused circles like Charli’s – someone who is constantly being engaged with online para-socially.
The most impactful songs on the record for me have to do with lyrics and themes that the 31-year old has never put to song before, like on “So I,” a song dedicated to the late, great singer-songwriter and producer, SOPHIE.
“Wish I’d tried to pull you closer/You pushed me hard, made me focus/Your words, brutal, loving, truthful/I was petrified/You’re a hero and a human/Track was done, I’d make excuses/You’d say, “Come on, stay for dinner”/I’d say, “No, I’m fine” (Now I really wish I’d stayed),” Charli sings.
A regretful Charli also makes her voice on her own potential motherhood heard on “I think about it all the time.”
“I went to my friend’s place and I met their baby for the first time/How sublime/What a joy, oh my, oh my/Standing there/Same old clothes she wore before, holding her child, yeah/She’s a radiant mother and he’s a bеautiful father/And now they both know thesе things that I don’t,” Charli sings.
These conflicting feelings stay for most of the tracks on the record; these lyrics are personal and beautiful, along with gorgeous and jaw-dropping electronic production to go along with it. Charli XCX shines on this record, even when she does not want to.
The only criticism I have with the record is its overall theming, which is also filled with conflict and vitriol, however, I think for now, “Brat” stands as a record that feels one way on paper, but is completely different in practice. It is a tonal shift, which is perfect for Charli XCX.