I’m having a Brat Summer. We’ve all heard this phrase being uttered constantly for the last three months. It’s inescapable–everyone you know is having a Brat Summer. But what does it even mean to have a Brat Summer? And are any of us even doing it?
Charli XCX, a singer-songwriter from Cambridge in the United Kingdom, released her sixth studio album “Brat” on June 7, 2024. The album was a huge success, with featured singles “360,” “Von Dutch,” “Club classics” and “B2b” becoming instant hits. Pretty soon after its release, fans took to the internet and social media to share their love for the work. The phrase “Brat Summer” began making the rounds across all social media platforms. Listeners were enthralled with the grungy, indie-sleaze aesthetic that accompanied “Brat.” They wanted more.
It wasn’t enough that Charli was going to wild parties and dabbling in illicit substances—everyone wanted to be on her level. And thus, the summer of partying commenced. No, most of us didn’t partake in any wild midnight rendezvous or try our hand at any hard substances.
This isn’t the first time a new album release has sparked more than just conversation, and it definitely won’t be the last. Life imitates art, and this concept has never been more accessible thanks to social media and fandom culture.
One of the most prevalent examples of this concept is the popularity of wearing cat ears and bunny ears following the release of Ariana Grande’s album “Dangerous Woman” in 2016. Grande was constantly seen with cat ears as an accessory, and her fans followed suit. In 2023, following the release of Taylor Swift’seleventh studio album “Midnights” and her subsequent “Eras Tour,” fans made a tradition out of trading friendship bracelets at hershows, all thanks to a lyric in the song “You’re On Your Own, Kid.”
Fans will always find a way to identify with the music they are listening to, and this can be seen in more than just their clothing choices. When Brat Summer first started gaining traction, I was confused, to say the least. One of the largest themes in the “Brat” album is hardcore partying, and it was apparent to me that most of the people claiming to be having a Brat Summer were not doing anything of the sort. But, having a Brat Summer is more than just relating to the lyrics in the songs; It’s a state of mind—–as cliche as it sounds.
For Charli herself, a Brat Summer can go two ways–trashy or classy. In an interview with the BBC Sounds podcast, she explained the trend can be interpreted in different ways. It can be “luxury…But it can also be so trashy, just like a pack of cigs and a BIC lighter and a strappy white top with no bra,” she said.
Whether it be a trashy-chic party outfit, a new lighter with a flames design or a new pair of sporty sunglasses, the most recognizable factor to having a Brat Summer is the neon green shade that Charli chose for the iconic album cover. Now being dubbed as “Brat green,” the color has become synonymous with the artist’s brand, and is also the backdrop for an entire slew of internet memes inspired by thetrend.
The “Brat” album rollout celebrated the idea of being an “It” girl, and Charli enlisted the help of several of her “It girl” friends for the album’s accompanying music videos. The “360” music video was inspired by a “hot internet girls” meeting where It girls of all ages came together to discuss who will be crowned Hollywood’s next “It girl.” The video was playful and fun, and featured Rachel Sennott, Julia Fox, Chloe Seveigny, Gabbriette Bechtel, Chloe Cherry, Richie Shazam and Emma Chamberlain.
Several songs on the album received remixes with other Hollywood cool girls, from the “Von Dutch” remix with Addison Rae to the “Guess” remix with Billie Eilish (which also received its own music video). The most defining remix for the album, however, came with the release of the “Girl, so confusing” remix with singer-songwriter Lorde. This collaboration sparked the phrase, “Let’s work it out on the remix” and further explored the all-too-familiar topic of women in entertainment–and women in general–being pitted against each other.
Ideally, Brat Summer is whatever you make of it. Whether you went all out or simply streamed the album and went on your way, the album had a huge impact on the media.
The most important thing to remember is that “Brat” is a celebration of “It” girls everywhere. Whether your style aligns with the coquett e-ish, indie-sleaze aesthetic that Charli XCX has so effortlessly curated, or you go for an entirely different look altogether, we can all learn a thing or two from our big Brat Summer.
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