BRAT - Charli xcx

Ah, "BRAT". The album that shook the world. 

Charli xcx struck mainstream gold in the album of the summer, in unquestionably one of the most prolific records of 2024. The cultural shifts "BRAT" triggered set its precedent as one of the most notable albums this side of the 2000s, and its presence in pop culture is certainly felt. But does it hold up to the hype? Most would immediately say yes, and for the most part, I'd agree. "BRAT" caters to a very mainstream audience, sure, but it does so by bringing in plenty of underground influences — say, the techno of "365" or the acidic, bassy "B2b" — and to see these influences receive attention on the biggest stage in the world is refreshing. Charli xcx brings something different, and I thoroughly appreciate that; it gives the project a lot of energy, energy that is vital to its success. Firmly rooted in club culture, "BRAT" executes exactly what it needs to to land its vibe — on the surface, "BRAT" is a feel-good, partygoing 13 tracks, and there are plenty of bangers packed into the clubby vibes of "BRAT", but Charli xcx balances it out with slower, emotional cuts, giving the record an invaluable nuance to it. Amidst all the rave chaos, this project is able to take a step back and mourn for Charli's mistakes, if only for a short period of time. And yet, I can't honestly say that I love "BRAT" as much as most seem to. Perhaps I'm just not the target audience, but stylistically, Charli's vocals don't quite hit the mark for me. She's got a great voice, and the lyricism is serviceable enough, but the vocal delivery felt slightly off — what got me, though, was the heaps of autotune used. At many points throughout the album, the autotune and delivery felt disconcerting and/or offputting, taking away from the album's message and narrative, and occasionally overriding the production details. The other flaw I found offputting was the tonal whiplash felt at multiple points through the record, and whilst I can see this being intentional, I can't say I'm a fan of the rather sudden switches between slow piano ballads and energetic party tunes. 

It's true that I didn't feel that "BRAT" met the level of expectations bestowed upon it by the global population, but I can't deny that it's a good project in its own right. To do something new in the mainstream stage is one thing, and to achieve monumentous success with that novelty is another thing entirely, and yet Charli xcx succeeds in both regards. At the end of the day, I suspect it comes down to the fact that I'm not the target audience for this record.