The British artist Charli XCX has always been a force to reckon with, but her latest album, Brat, has catapulted her to new heights, even as it stirs controversy. Described as abrasive, impetuous, fiery, and vulnerable, Brat is more than just a collection of songs; it’s a cultural phenomenon. But beyond the music, Charli XCX has positioned herself as both a thorn in Taylor Swift’s side and a mentor for Gen Z.
The Rise of Brat
Released in early June (7), Charli XCX’s sixth studio album has since reached the top 10 in 7 countries on Spotify, including #3 in the United Kingdom, #6 in Australia, #7 in both New Zealand and the United States, and #10 globally, among others. Overall, Brat charted in 35 countries on Spotify, showing its wide-reaching popularity.
‘BRAT’ spends a 3rd consecutive week inside Spotify’s Weekly Top Albums Global top 10.
— The album is also charting in the top 10 of US & top 3 in UK. pic.twitter.com/9uCDEiiiJH— Charli xcx Charts (@chartscharli) June 29, 2024
On Apple Music, Brat reached the top 10 in 42 countries. It hit #2 in Costa Rica and Finland, and #3 in 12 countries including Brazil, Chile, Ireland, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom. The album appeared in the charts of 79 countries on Apple Music.
It has also been met with critical acclaim. According to Metacritic, Bratis the highest-rated album of the year, surpassing Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter. Brat has transcended music, infiltrating fashion, politics, and social media. The album’s cover features a toxic green hue, now dubbed “Brat green,” which has become a viral sensation. This color has been adopted by everyone from the British Green Party to TikTok influencers, and has appeared in collections by high-fashion brands like Prada, Gucci, and Loewe.
In an interview with Vogue Singapore, Charli revealed she experimented with 65 colors before settling on the perfect “offensive” tone. “I’d like for us to question our expectations of pop culture — why are some things considered good and acceptable, and some things deemed bad?” she questioned.
Feuds and Friendships
Charli’s influence isn’t limited to fashion and music. Her sharp lyrics in Brat have stirred the pot, with thinly veiled references to other pop stars. The song “Sympathy is a Knife” is widely believed to target Taylor Swift, highlighting a rivalry that began during Swift’s 2018 Reputation Tour, where Charli was an opening act. Charli described the experience as akin to “waving to five-year-olds,” a comment that didn’t sit well with Swift or her fans.
Adding fuel to the fire, Swift released six reissues of her The Tortured Poets Department just as Brat was climbing the UK charts, blocking Charli from the top spot. Despite the rivalry, Charli has urged her fans to stop chanting “Taylor is dead” at her concerts, denouncing such hate.
But it’s not all enmity. Charli’s relationship with Lorde, often mistaken for her, has evolved into a playful camaraderie. In Brat’s song “Girl, So Confusing,” Charli seems to address Lorde, and in a surprising twist, Lorde joined her for a remix of the song, admitting she was often intimidated by Charli’s boldness.
A Voice for Gen Z
Charli XCX’s journey from London raves at 14 to chart-topping success at 31 has been anything but conventional. Her ability to bridge digital culture with club scenes has resonated deeply with Gen Z. Her candid lyrics and unapologetic attitude challenge the status quo, offering a refreshing alternative to the sanitized narratives often found in contemporary pop music.
As she aptly puts it in her song “Rewind,” Charli is no longer the artist calling paparazzi to stay relevant; she’s the one setting the trends.
