Brat and it’s completely different but also still Brat review

BY DANY MIRELES

Charli XCX became a household name this past summer, with her latest project “Brat”. Showcasing her growth as an artist yet letting us know she is still playful, BRAT represents a fresh and iconic sound that was introduced to the world this summer. Having sharp lyrics and danceable beats, fans from all over the world fell in love with the artist and had their “BRAT” summer. With this album’s release in the summer and the success that followed, Charli XCX released a brand new version of the album to sing the already beloved songs and put their twist to it, featuring artists such as Ariana Grande, The 1975, and The Japanese House.  

“Apple” featuring The Japanese House takes the song into a new turn, singing a brand new melody with new lyrics. Talking about generational trauma, the lyrics “Somebody asked me how you’re doing / And I make excuses and I say you’re fine / I keep trying not to think about you / but I seem to think about you all the time”, give us the idea of wanting to distance ourselves from the emotional baggage but being unable to escape it. With backup vocals from Charli XCX’s fiancé George Daniel from The 1975, this remix takes the famous and beloved song into a sad melody.

The most anticipated track on the album, “Sympathy is a Knife” featuring Ariana Grande has become a fan favorite and already a highlight of this new reimagined version of the tracks. “It’s a knife when you know they’re counting on your mistakes / It’s a knife when you’re so pretty they think you must be fake / It’s a knife when they dissect your body on the front page.” Talking about critics and the insecurities that come with the constant comparison to other artists, the song features beats that will make you want to dance around.

Another highlight of this album is “365” featuring Shy Girl. The iconic remix was introduced at the beginning of the year when Charli XCX started teasing this brand-new project, and since then fans have been waiting all year to hear this electronic song. Creating a whole new twist to the original song, this track is a perfect final to an already iconic era.

“Spring Breakers” featuring Kesha has become an already fan favorite track despite it being released four days after the album dropped. And unlike the other tracks in this new version of “BRAT”, the sounds remain completely untouched, except for Kesha replacing Charli’s lyrics about blowing up the Grammys.  “Art is not a competition/Rating go up when the clothes come off/But a real bitch come when the dick goes up, like” sings Kesha, referencing her new profound freedom after settling a decade-long lawsuit.

This album is not only a collection of tracks that are electronic and danceable, but a collection of feelings that the singer is vulnerable enough to share with the whole world. From trauma to insecurities, Charli XCX perfectly makes these themes into something we can all relate to, never losing sight of how hard it is to be a human. Being incredibly danceable and bop-filled, this new and completely different version of the beloved album is designed to be played at a club, but when you listen to the lyrics can make you reflect on life.