Charli xcx: BRAT Review

Charli XCX’s BRAT is a raw, avant-garde exploration of vulnerability wrapped in explosive pop anthems. This is how Charli began her career—begging her parents to drive her to pubs across England, performing at raves on weekends. Eighteen years later, she finds herself in a similar predicament, navigating the chaos of nightlife, but now burdened by complex emotions, relationships, and an unrelenting quest to embody the brat persona.

BRAT captures the disorienting experience of forcing confidence in a club while wrestling with inner turmoil. Beneath the distorted synths and pounding bass lies an unfiltered honesty that sets Charli apart, making her music as human as it is groundbreaking. With this album, Charli redefines pop, blending experimental soundscapes with deeply personal storytelling.

The album opens with “360” and “Club Classics,” energetic tracks that set the tone for a night of escapism. “360” echoes Charli’s sentiments about being “so Julia,” a nod to Julia Fox, while “Club Classics” encourages surrendering to the moment. But the illusion quickly fractures. BRAT dives headfirst into self-doubt and insecurity, a journey reflected in Charli’s willingness to her flaws with startling vulnerability.

“Sympathy is a Knife” stands out as one of the album’s boldest moments. Charli sings, “Why I wanna buy a gun / why I wanna shoot myself,” offering an unflinching look at envy’s grip and the self-destructive thoughts it breeds. The track, rumored to address her feelings toward Taylor Swift, is a powerful exploration of one-sided jealousy. Why them and not me? It’s a sentiment everyone has felt but few have articulated so directly. This rawness becomes the backbone of BRAT, a record that confronts insecurities without filter or facade.

The middle section of the album shifts gears with “Talk Talk,” “Von Dutch,” and “Everything is Romantic,” three euphoric tracks that temporarily lighten the mood. “Talk Talk” recounts how Charli met her fiancé, George Daniel, with playful optimism, while “Von Dutch” is an audacious anthem about being the ultimate “it girl.” “Everything is Romantic” imagines the perfect romantic getaway, all set against A.G. Cook’s meticulously layered production. These tracks provide a momentary escape, reflecting Charli’s desire to find solace in self-assurance.

But the reprieve doesn’t last. Tracks like “Rewind,” “So I,” “Apple,” and “Girl, So Confusing” bring listeners back to Charli’s inner struggles. “Rewind” is a tender reflection on regret, while “So I” mourns the loss of her close friend and collaborator SOPHIE. Through poignant lyrics and fragmented memories, Charli pieces together their relationship, celebrating SOPHIE’s brilliance while grappling with her absence.

“Apple” delves into Charli’s strained relationship with her parents, using the metaphor of a rotting apple to confront feelings of toxicity and unresolved pain. Initially excluded from the album for not being “brat enough,” the track gained viral popularity on TikTok, with the “Apple Dance” becoming one of 2024’s biggest trends. Meanwhile, “Girl, So Confusing” offers a sharp, petty take on a complicated relationship with Lorde, with lines like, “Maybe you just wanna be me,” encapsulating the messy dynamics of envy and admiration.

As the album progresses, Charli continues to unravel her inner world. “Mean Girls” is a catchy, piano-driven anthem celebrating everyone’s potential to be a “brat,” while “I Think About It All the Time” slows things down to explore her fears about starting a family and her feelings of isolation in the music industry. These moments of vulnerability are contrasted with Charli’s biting wit, making BRAT a complex, layered listen.

The album ends where it began—with a party. “365,” a reimagined version of “360,” closes the record on a triumphant note. Sampling and pitching up the opener, Charli creates an anthem about living every day like it’s a celebration. It’s the happy ending the album promises—a moment of joy and release amidst chaos and introspection.

BRAT is more than an album. It’s a manifesto for pop culture, proving that mainstream music can be raw, experimental, and deeply relatable. Charli XCX blends cathartic honesty with infectious beats, creating a record that feels as human as it is innovative. This is a cultural statement, a testament to Charli’s evolution as an artist, and a reminder that vulnerability is a strength. For Unravel Magazine, BRAT isn’t just one of the best albums of the year—it’s a defining moment in pop history.