Charli XCX, the pop innovator known for pushing boundaries, has returned with her highly anticipated album, BRAT. If you were anticipating a purely dance-focused record based on early singles, prepare to be surprised. The initial single, “Von Dutch,” perfectly encapsulates a certain glamorous, danceable persona Charli has cultivated. It’s undeniably catchy and remix-ready, fitting neatly into her established sound. However, BRAT quickly reveals itself to be a much more multifaceted project than just a collection of dancefloor fillers.
The double single release of “Club classics” and “B2b” further complicates early assessments. While “B2b” stands out as a genuine and infectious celebration of club culture, showcasing Charli’s passion for dance music in both her songwriting and performance, “Club classics” unfortunately misses the mark. It feels like a shallow, almost parodic take on dance music tributes, positioned rather awkwardly early in the album’s tracklist. This unevenness extends to “Apple,” a track reminiscent of her earlier “Vroom Vroom” energy, which, while energetic, doesn’t fully align with the deeper dive into dance music initially hinted at.
The release of “360” as the final single marked a turning point in pre-release expectations. While arguably one of the strongest tracks alongside “B2b,” “360” introduces a pop sentimentality that subtly deviates from the house and dance vibes established by the earlier singles. This prompted many fans to question whether BRAT would truly be the non-stop, rave-ready electronica experience that Charli had seemingly promised. The answer, as BRAT unfolds, is a resounding no – and that’s precisely where its brilliance lies.
BRAT quickly sheds its initial dance-centric facade, revealing layers of complexity and introspection. “Sympathy is a knife,” the first non-single track, immediately signals this shift. Heavily influenced by PC Music aesthetics, the song retains pop structures but ventures into more nuanced sonic territories. Throughout the album, lyrical depth and conceptual exploration take center stage, moving away from typical dance music themes. Tracks like “Girl, so confusing,” rumored to be a diss track directed at a pop contemporary (speculated to be Lorde, hinted at by the lyric “People say we’re alike, they say we’ve got the same hair”), delve into personal relationships and rivalries. “I think about it all the time” offers a rare glimpse into Charli’s personal reflections, contemplating life decisions and relationships with surprising vulnerability: “I think about it all the time / That I might run out of time / But I finally met my baby / And a baby might be mine.”
These tracks, while not strictly “Charli Xcx Brat Dance” anthems, are undeniably compelling and represent some of the album’s strongest moments. Notably, “So I,” a long-awaited live favorite and a poignant tribute to SOPHIE, stands out as a deeply moving highlight. It beautifully captures SOPHIE’s immense legacy and the intimate bond they shared.
However, for those seeking the promised dance floor energy, BRAT does deliver within its deeper cuts. Tracks like “Mean Girls,” with its undeniably catchy and relatable energy, are primed to become summer anthems for fans. “Everything is romantic” showcases Charli’s signature vocal intensity expertly balanced with emotionally resonant lyrics, resulting in a standout track. And “Talk talk,” produced by Hudson Mohawke, offers a production masterclass, delivering the album’s most explicitly danceable moment, perfectly engineered for movement.
Ultimately, BRAT transcends the confines of a purely “charli xcx brat dance” album and becomes something far richer. It’s the album Charli’s fanbase deserved, even if it wasn’t what they initially anticipated. Rather than rigidly adhering to a single genre, BRAT emerges as Charli’s most dynamic and sonically diverse work to date. With very few missteps, the album maintains impressive consistency while seamlessly navigating through constant stylistic shifts. It’s easy to fixate on what BRAT isn’t – a straightforward dance record – especially given its promotional messaging.
But the true value lies in appreciating what BRAT is: a testament to Charli’s ever-evolving artistry. Her unique personality continues to fuel her creative impulses, resulting in an album that is both deeply personal and broadly appealing. Charli’s knack for crafting irresistible pop hooks remains as potent as ever, ensuring BRAT is just as likely to soundtrack your shower singing as it is to ignite a dance floor. More importantly, BRAT showcases Charli’s significant growth as a songwriter and lyricist, allowing listeners to connect with the artist behind the pop star persona more intimately than ever before. The fact that this lyrical evolution unfolds on an album initially presented as a dance record is a delicious irony, highlighting Charli’s multifaceted brilliance. Her charm, confidence, and unwavering creativity are as captivating as ever, solidifying BRAT as an album already garnering significant critical acclaim, further cementing Charli XCX’s position as one of pop music’s most consistently innovative and beloved figures.
