brat summer?
note: press "play music" in the top left to listen to "i think about it all the time" by charli xcx. enjoy the brat-themed post too.
coming from the biggest "how im feeling now" fan, "brat" was an album that the people, and especially me, didn't know we would want or even need. the modern day equivalent of jesus turning water into wine... the people's noah ark coming to save the summer. as much as i love charli, i was very turned off from her music after the release of "crash" in 2023, but to see her both so invigorated and returning to her roots has made me happy as a long time fan of her music. i remember discovering her through "fancy" in high school, and seeing this level of progression in nine years is just surreal. the album in its whole, in all it's beauty, is very direct, which i appreciate. despite liking music with subtext and nuance to discover, its a different experience having most of the meaning lay upon a flat film in the song's lyrics. in a way, it brings more credibility to me as a listener and let's me focus on the incredible mixing and story we all know charli for.
brat in it's essence is an album akin to bringing out old style china, but serving something completely unique. it has the "how i'm feeling now" and "pop 2" vibes that cemented my love for her work, while bringing very direct reflections on charli's journey as an artist, especially within the past few years. i'd argue "girl, so confusing" and "i think about it all the time" are some of my favorite songs on the album, despite going against the heavy club-y presence the media believes this album to carry. both songs seemingly focusing on charli's growth within the industry and as a woman, and even though i'm not a girl, they still hit - charli lays out her worries in such a way that me, as a listener, can latch on to and understand. likewise, the hyperpop-esque, reflective pop sound that i had craved so much in "how i'm feeling now" (especially the track "enemy") is now back and more refined than ever.
all the songs on the album, but especially the later tracks, bring that side of her that i think her previous album "crash" really missed out on. i'd argue the large change in how this album was created and released would have to be due to her signing a new contract with atlantic for two more albums, and i expect she got a lot more artistic freedom with this album. in a sense, shes the people's princess. despite all my hate for ranking artists against each other, i truly think that she deserved that number one billboard spot, but it is what it is. i'm not one to follow industry updates but when i've historically seen my favorite artists get mistreated it does leave a sour taste in my mouth. all in all, the album doesn't need a single spot on any chart. it speaks for itself. the album returns to charli's roots and to what made me love her work in the first place. the growth, the reflection, the dismissal of the industry (very few artists do this well), it's all here for us as the listeners to see.
anyways, brat was well needed, and i'm glad to see it's getting the recognition it deserves. i think it was well overdue. i'm yet to see whether ill be going to the concert here in toronto. its at scotiabank arena this year which is quite frankly too big for her audience, but it is what it is. i think ill probably end up going though, it's just a matter of buying tickets. whatever, listen to brat if you can.