brat summer and it's the same but i'm talking about it so it's not

how to have the coolest, hottest, and brattiest summer of your life

i can’t go a moment without thinking, reading, or hearing the words “brat summer.” with the release of charli xcx’s sixth studio album, brat, i find every corner of the internet full of discourse, rave reviews, and memes about summer’s best album (objectively). charli’s recent mainstream success largely comes from the insanely brilliant marketing campaign brat received, i mean, how many variations of the green square, arial font have you seen in the last week?

brat 2 brat 2 brat 2 brat 2 brat (in the tune of b2b)

the album is also a breakthrough in the never-ending conversations of what girlhood means, and even takes the tiktokification of girlhood (as i have made it clear i so blatantly despite), and breaks it down. as charli reminds us, insecurity, grief, obsession, and jealousy also plague even the coolest and hottest of girls.

the heart of charli’s hyperpop, iconic club girl music is still present on brat, but throughout the album we get to hear charli’s vulnerability, the fear and uncertainty of motherhood, and the always relatable body image struggle. in an album with indulgent club hits like “360” and “von dutch” there are equally as many songs about charli’s personal and more unguarded emotions. in a year where megapop albums like taylor swift’s the tortured poet’s department, ariana grande’s eternal sunshine, and beyonce’s cowboy carter (one of my favorite albums of the year) all shined and dominated charts, charli’s less traditional album is dominating conversation and setting new standards for artists.

it’s ironic too, that in an album riddled with jealousy and comparison to other huge industry stars (“symphathy is a knife”), has led to such a rush of other artists looking to emulate the marketing success and aesthetic that charli delivered with brat. former fifth harmony member, camila cabello, is very blatantly inspired (to poliety put it) but the aesthetic surrounding brat and charli herself, to the point where even the most casual fans have noticed the similarities. it’s hard though, to “emulate” charli, as she isn’t trying to put on a persona, she’s being herself. that girl who grew up in the club, has always been effortlessly cool, and always has been authentically herself, in her music and while promoting it.