British singer-songwriter Charli XCX released her sixth studio album “Brat” on June 7, a blend of hyperpop sound and vulnerable lyrics.
At this point in her career, everyone knows Charli XCX can hold her own in her sound. With her own smash hits like “Boom Clap,” “Speed Drive” and “Boys,” as well as songwriting credits on “Same Old Love'' by Selena Gomez and “Senorita” by Camila Cabello, few doubt the singer’s relevance in the music industry.
But less than a week into its release, “Brat” received high levels of critical praise from a variety of outlets, including a score of 95 on Metacritic. In “Brat,” Charli retains her well-known sound while shedding the mask of hyperpop, compiling songs about self-doubt, fame and motherhood as well as club classics.
Undeniably, the emotional standout on the album is “I think about it all the time.” In this song, stripped down by Charli’s standards, the singer questions how she can balance her desire to be a mother and have a successful career.
It’s easy for Charli to hide behind the extravagant and electronic hyperpop music, but she doesn’t shy away from vulnerability on this album.
Sonically, this song does vary widely from the rest of the album, and it’s almost jarring at first listen. Its placement feels a bit odd given that the next and final song on the album, “365,” is seemingly about her doing cocaine.
“So I” is another peeled-back song, a tribute to her deceased friend and producer SOPHIE, who is often credited for popularizing hyperpop.
The song references one of SOPHIE’s tracks, “It’s Okay To Cry” through its lyrics. While the song is somber, it’s clear Charli continues to value her friend’s artistry and honor her legacy.
Charli, who is outspoken about the need for artistry in modern music, questions her integrity as she faces broader commercial success in “Rewind.” She laments that in spite of all the success she has seen, she wishes she could return to a time where the charts didn’t matter to her.
Given the early success of this album, that nostalgia is likely to continue for the artist.
In spite of these more serious songs, “Brat” is without a doubt club music.
Charli XCX is an artist who understands her sound. Each song on the album feels deliberate and purposeful, cut clean to perfection.
Whether it be the hypnotic beat of album intro “360,” the catchiness of “Von Dutch” or the danceability of “Everything is romantic,” “Brat” will cement itself as one of the more notable albums of the summer.
The album balances cohesiveness with variety, blending together almost perfectly as a whole while still offering unique explorations of what it means to be a “Brat” party girl with each song.
Most refreshing about “Brat” — and Charli herself — is the ability to not take itself too seriously. Seen in the stripped back album cover or the tongue-in-cheek naming of the deluxe album “Brat and it’s the same but there’s three more songs so it’s not,” Charli continues to walk to the beat of her own drum.
In an age where charts and streaming have become king, Charli brings us back to what music should be: fun.
Bryna Goeking is an arts editor for The Daily Cardinal. She also reports on campus news. Follow her on Twitter @BrynaGoeking.
