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2024 was defined by Charli XCX’s Brat.
Charli XCX‘s sixth album merged self-doubt, female competitiveness, and family planning into a dense, vibrant tapestry of dance beats. Ubiquitous and influential, Brat left its mark wherever music was played.
At the 2025 GRAMMYs, Brat won for Best Dance/Electronic Album and Best Recording Package. The track “Von Dutch” clinched Best Pop/Dance Recording. Charli performed her winning single, “Guess,” at the ceremony, transforming Crypto.com Arena into a mini rave for her GRAMMY stage debut.
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While Charli XCX has always merged vulnerability and varied emotions into her lyrics, she excels at crafting dance-pop anthems. “My music is intrinsically for the night,” she explained on Bowen Yang’s “Las Culturistas” podcast, recalling her teenage days performing “MySpace music” at London raves. Decades later, she has seamlessly integrated that free-spirited underground rave culture into mainstream, messier dance music.
“Brat” transcended being just music; it became an aesthetic, a lifestyle, and a source of endless memes. From presidential candidate Kamala Harris to NATO, and even the NYC MTA, “brat” was discussed widely, with mixed results. Deeply resonant, Collins Dictionary deemed “brat” the Word of the Year in 2024, describing it as embodying a “confident, independent, and hedonistic attitude.” In today’s fragmented cultural landscape, Brat‘s omnipresence and appeal are truly remarkable.
Charli XCX herself succinctly captured the essence of “brat”: “You’re that girl who is a little messy and likes to party and maybe says some dumb things sometimes. Who feels herself but maybe also has a breakdown. Is very honest, very blunt. A little bit volatile, does dumb things but it’s brat. You’re brat. That’s brat.”
Brat and its extensive promotional campaign, featuring collaborations, concert pop-ups, and a Boiler Room DJ set in February 2024, catapulted Charli XCX from a more niche “alt-pop” figure to a full-fledged popstar. Critically acclaimed, the album received Album of the Year accolades from New York Times, Rolling Stone, Billboard, and many other publications.
Charli XCX stands as one of the top contenders in the upcoming 2025 GRAMMYs, receiving seven nominations (second only to Beyoncé). This marks her first GRAMMY nods in a decade and her first solo nominations ever.
This Is Charli’s Most Charli Album
A year ago, Charli XCX and her team were shaping what became one defining sound of 2024. Producers A. G. Cook, Finn Keane, and George Daniel shared their insights into the album’s creation.
A. G. Cook: The journey with Charli from mixtapes like Number 1 Angel and Pop 2 in 2017 to Brat feels full-circle but distinctly different. The same uncompromising attitude governing, now in a broader, mainstream context.
Finn Keane: For me, it was more of a natural evolution rather than a drastic shift. It resonates with Charli’s comfort zone, representing the pinnacle of her creative journey.
George Daniel: Being so involved in the project, we often overlooked its significance. Pre- and post-Boiler Room stand out—the event was surreal and exciting, bringing a blend of DIY culture into the spotlight.
Charli Is a Deft Pop Songwriter
Why did Brat resonate so profoundly? Was it Charli’s embrace of messiness and uncertainty, or was it her being uniquely Charli?
Finn Keane: Brat epitomizes Charli’s artistic vision, combining elements in novel ways.
A. G. Cook: Charli’s skill as a songwriter and willingness to collaborate contribute to the album’s success. Her honesty and consistency in balancing creative and commercial elements played a crucial role.
George Daniel: The album struck a balance between familiarity and experimental elements. Charli’s willingness to be authentic and vulnerable, coupled with high-energy dance beats, created a universally relatable narrative.
Charli Works It Out On The Remix
How did the studio process for Brat differ from or align with previous projects?
Finn Keane: The process felt similar, with a quick initial iteration, followed by detailed polishing.
A. G. Cook: Charli’s rapid writing and initial vocal recordings were central, exemplified by songs like “So Confusing,” capturing her tumultuous thoughts.
The album reflects Charli’s love for minimalism and maximalism, incorporating both sleek and chaotic sounds. SOPHIE’s influence can be heard in moments like “So I,” which seems almost like a tribute to her.
Brat = Messiness & Vulnerability You Can Dance To
What defines the “brat” sound?
A. G. Cook: The “brat” sound involves breaking previous rules while maintaining musical integrity, mixing minimalism with maximalism.
Finn Keane: Key to the sound are its blend of slickness and messiness, achieved by spotlighting individual sounds or vocals, creating an unfinished yet bold effect.
George Daniel: The album captures emotional extremes within each track, like crashingly messy transitions paired with refined ballads, accentuating Charli’s multiple facets.
Charli’s Your Favorite Reference, Baby
2025 will see the continuation of Charli XCX’s Brat arena tour. How will it impact pop music?
Finn Keane: Lyrical honesty will likely gain traction, shifting away from polished, rhyming styles towards conversational, raw lyrics.
A. G. Cook: Charli’s unique ability to merge catchy hooks with messy production is significant. Any band attempting to replicate it risks appearing inauthentic.
George Daniel: Charli is already talking about opposite artistic pursuits. This embrace of contradiction and unpredictability fuels excitement for future projects.
While the team hasn’t officially started working on new songs, early conversations suggest they’re steering towards something fundamentally different from Brat.
2025 GRAMMYs: Performances, Acceptance Speeches & Highlights
Charli XCX’s Brat not only captured the hearts of listeners but also validated her vision within pop music. Its seamless integration of dance and pop, combined with emotional authenticity, has set new standards in the industry. As fans look forward to her next venture, it’s clear that Charli XCX will continue to push boundaries and redefine what it means to be a popstar.
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While Charli XCX has always merged vulnerability and varied emotions into her lyrics, she excels at crafting dance-pop anthems. “My music is intrinsically for the night,” she explained on Bowen Yang’s “Las Culturistas” podcast, recalling her teenage days performing “MySpace music” at London raves. Decades later, she has seamlessly integrated that free-spirited underground rave culture into mainstream, messier dance music.
“Brat” transcended being just music; it became an aesthetic, a lifestyle, and a source of endless memes. From presidential candidate Kamala Harris to NATO, and even the NYC MTA, “brat” was discussed widely, with mixed results. Deeply resonant, Collins Dictionary deemed “brat” the Word of the Year in 2024, describing it as embodying a “confident, independent, and hedonistic attitude.” In today’s fragmented cultural landscape, Brat‘s omnipresence and appeal are truly remarkable.
Charli XCX herself succinctly captured the essence of “brat”: “You’re that girl who is a little messy and likes to party and maybe says some dumb things sometimes. Who feels herself but maybe also has a breakdown. Is very honest, very blunt. A little bit volatile, does dumb things but it’s brat. You’re brat. That’s brat.”
Brat and its extensive promotional campaign, featuring collaborations, concert pop-ups, and a Boiler Room DJ set in February 2024, catapulted Charli XCX from a more niche “alt-pop” figure to a full-fledged popstar. Critically acclaimed, the album received Album of the Year accolades from New York Times, Rolling Stone, Billboard, and many other publications.
Charli XCX stands as one of the top contenders in the upcoming 2025 GRAMMYs, receiving seven nominations (second only to Beyoncé). This marks her first GRAMMY nods in a decade and her first solo nominations ever.
This Is Charli’s Most Charli Album
A year ago, Charli XCX and her team were shaping what became one defining sound of 2024. Producers A. G. Cook, Finn Keane, and George Daniel shared their insights into the album’s creation.
A. G. Cook: The journey with Charli from mixtapes like Number 1 Angel and Pop 2 in 2017 to Brat feels full-circle but distinctly different. The same uncompromising attitude governing, now in a broader, mainstream context.
Finn Keane: For me, it was more of a natural evolution rather than a drastic shift. It resonates with Charli’s comfort zone, representing the pinnacle of her creative journey.
George Daniel: Being so involved in the project, we often overlooked its significance. Pre- and post-Boiler Room stand out—the event was surreal and exciting, bringing a blend of DIY culture into the spotlight.
Charli Is a Deft Pop Songwriter
Why did Brat resonate so profoundly? Was it Charli’s embrace of messiness and uncertainty, or was it her being uniquely Charli?
Finn Keane: Brat epitomizes Charli’s artistic vision, combining elements in novel ways.
A. G. Cook: Charli’s skill as a songwriter and willingness to collaborate contribute to the album’s success. Her honesty and consistency in balancing creative and commercial elements played a crucial role.
George Daniel: The album struck a balance between familiarity and experimental elements. Charli’s willingness to be authentic and vulnerable, coupled with high-energy dance beats, created a universally relatable narrative.
Charli Works It Out On The Remix
How did the studio process for Brat differ from or align with previous projects?
Finn Keane: The process felt similar, with a quick initial iteration, followed by detailed polishing.
A. G. Cook: Charli’s rapid writing and initial vocal recordings were central, exemplified by songs like “So Confusing,” capturing her tumultuous thoughts.
The album reflects Charli’s love for minimalism and maximalism, incorporating both sleek and chaotic sounds. SOPHIE’s influence can be heard in moments like “So I,” which seems almost like a tribute to her.
Brat = Messiness & Vulnerability You Can Dance To
What defines the “brat” sound?
A. G. Cook: The “brat” sound involves breaking previous rules while maintaining musical integrity, mixing minimalism with maximalism.
Finn Keane: Key to the sound are its blend of slickness and messiness, achieved by spotlighting individual sounds or vocals, creating an unfinished yet bold effect.
George Daniel: The album captures emotional extremes within each track, like crashingly messy transitions paired with refined ballads, accentuating Charli’s multiple facets.
Charli’s Your Favorite Reference, Baby
2025 will see the continuation of Charli XCX’s Brat arena tour. How will it impact pop music?
Finn Keane: Lyrical honesty will likely gain traction, shifting away from polished, rhyming styles towards conversational, raw lyrics.
A. G. Cook: Charli’s unique ability to merge catchy hooks with messy production is significant. Any band attempting to replicate it risks appearing inauthentic.
George Daniel: Charli is already talking about opposite artistic pursuits. This embrace of contradiction and unpredictability fuels excitement for future projects.
While the team hasn’t officially started working on new songs, early conversations suggest they’re steering towards something fundamentally different from Brat.
2025 GRAMMYs: Performances, Acceptance Speeches & Highlights
Charli XCX’s Brat not only captured the hearts of listeners but also validated her vision within pop music. Its seamless integration of dance and pop, combined with emotional authenticity, has set new standards in the industry. As fans look forward to her next venture, it’s clear that Charli XCX will continue to push boundaries and redefine what it means to be a popstar.
Join the conversation and share your thoughts on Charli XCX’s Brat and its impact on the music world. Comment below, subscribe to our newsletter for more updates, or share this article on social media!