This summer, we’ve seen the radical reinvention of another once-derogatory term – “brat.” For generations, a brat was a misbehaving child – a designation that put nearly as much emphasis on parental failures as the ill-mannered young person. Single-handedly, the British pop star Charli XCX has turned the term on its head, sparking a cultural movement alongside the release of her sixth and latest studio album, ‘BRAT.’
In the Northern hemisphere, our present season has since been dubbed “Brat Summer,” signaling a celebratory call to action for unapologetic self-expression, complete with all the passion, shortcomings and contradictions that make up the complexities of being human in this day and age.
As an all-encompassing attitude and lifestyle, the “brat” aesthetic is all about embracing messy emotions, leaning into party-girl tendencies and rebelling against the polish of mainstream palatability – all with a stylish sense of cool. Visually, the notorious slime green hue of the ‘BRAT’ album cover has infiltrated social media and beyond, with its influence reaching everything from style trends to political campaigns.
In an Instagram post celebrating the album release back in June 2024, Charli explained her idea behind the term as she thanked some close friends for accepting her as she is: “Even when I’m being an absolute nightmare you still stand by me and make me feel comfortable to be myself,” she wrote. “And at the end of the day, that’s exactly what brat is all about: me, my flaws, my f— ups, my ego all rolled into one.”
Though she coined the term (or, more accurately, reclaimed it), Charli XCX isn’t the only pop performer helping to codify “brat” in the cultural zeitgeist. Among those “making the bratosphere transcend,” as Charli herself has put it, are ‘Brat’ executive producer, A. G. Cook and longtime collaborator easyFun, as well as artists like Tove Lo, SG Lewis, Lorde and more who are all bringing club culture, DIY sensibilities, and Y2K and indie sleaze influences to the forefront. We’ve put together a lime-green list to memorialize the spirit of all things brat, with a late assist from the release of the dance chart-topping collab from Charli XCX and Billie Eilish, “Guess.”
LISTEN TO THE BRAT AURA PLAYLIST ON SOUNDCLOUD NOW
Charli XCX, “Guess” (feat. Billie Eilish)
Brand new remix produced by the dare, as Charli XCX and Billie Eilish link up for this NSFW heater.
Charli XCX, “the girl, so confusing”
“It’s so confusing sometimes to be a girl,” Charli pronounces on this remix, which features Lorde, the rival pop star some fans thought the song was about in the first place.
the dare, “Perfume”
Indie sleaze from Harrison Patrick Smith, a Charli favorite (because his music “goes off at parties”).
easyFun, “They’re So Smart”
London experimental pop musician and singer Blane Muise aka Shygirl teams with club hitmaker SG Lewis on “mr useless,” the results are a pulsating floor-filler.
Charli xcx, “360” featuring Robyn and Yung Lean
Charli recruits Swedish icons Robyn and Yung Lean to up the ante even further on this 360 remix.
easyFun, “No Body”
From his 2023 EP “ELECTRIC,” this track was co-written by Charlotte Emma Aitchison, a.k.a. Charli XCX.
Neggy Gemmy, “Black Ferrari” (club mix)
Los Angeles-based electronic musician Lindsey French aka Neggy Gemmy’s club-ready remix is equal parts earworm and floorfiller.
Tove Lo, SG Lewis. “HEAT”
The title track to the steamy collaborative ‘HEAT’ EP has been electrifying dancefloor since it dropped and show no sign of slowing down.
Caroline Polachek, Charli XCX, “Welcome To My Island” (George Daniel & Charli XCX Remix)
Charli links up with acclaimed multifaceted musician and former member of Chairlift Caroline Polachek on this deep house-inspired remix of Polachek’s “Welcome To My Island”.
Charli XCX, “2099” (feat. Troye Sivan)
Fourth single from 2019’s “Charli” LP, featuring the Australian singer Sivan. A clear precursor to ‘Brat’: “I pull up, roll up, f— up”.
A.G. Cook, “Lucifer”
Infectious pop from Charli’s creative director, who founded the UK record label PC Music.
Hudson Mohawke, “Intentions”
The Scottish producer helped establish the late-2000s British “wonky” scene, has worked with Kanye West, Pusha T, and Drake, and co-produced Charli’s new “Talk Talk”.
Gessafelstein, “Hard Dreams”
The in-demand French producer has credits on two “Brat” tracks, “B2b” and “I Might Say Something Stupid”.
Charli XCX, “365”
The new album opens with “360” and ends with “365.” All-around party mode, every day of the year: “I’m a brat when I’m bumpin’ that”.
Slayyyter, “Purrr”
Catherine Grace Garner better known as Slayyyter has been a staple in the rise of the hyperpop movement, “Purr” is just one heater from her sophomore album ‘Starfucker’.
Charli XCX, “the von dutch remix”
Named for the late motorcycle artist whose bad-boy fashion designs have enjoyed a resurgence in recent years.
Charli XCX, “Speed Drive [jamesjamesjames remix”
Charli cut this and its original version for the soundtrack to “Barbie.” She “always loved the escapism” her Barbie dolls let her explore, she explained.
BAMBII, “SHH”
Acclaimed Toronto-based producer leans into an experimental pop and bass heavy tune, expertly packed into 90 seconds.
Two Shell & FKA Twigs, “Talk To Me”
London dance duo Two Shell links with acclaimed multifaceted avant pop artist FKA Twigs for a hyperpop jam aimed at the dance floor.
Jasper Harris, “Brookside”
He’s a co-producer on “Everything Is Romantic,” as Charli declares on “Brat”’s most poetic track – all bad tattoos and plastic Jesuses.
LISTEN TO THE BRAT AURA PLAYLIST ON SOUNDCLOUD NOW
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