There is one album that seems to have defined our generation’s summer– our ‘Brat Summer,’– and that, of course, was brat by Charli XCX. The electro-pop album produced by none other than A.G. Cook went from a well-received and popular album to a viral TikTok dance featuring the song “Apple.” Slowly but surely, an image was born that can only be described as “brat,” leading many of Charli’s fans to live out their summer as bratty as possible, crushing their insecurities and blasting bass-boosted music. 

While the album has an exterior of heavily produced beats and fierce lyrics, such as “It’s okay to admit that you’re jealous of me,” it still has room for Charli XCX to voice her insecurities and other topics she often dwells on, like motherhood and the hardships of being in the spotlight. This vulnerability makes the album all the more relatable, while not bringing the listener down, only connecting them more to the music. 

“I like how fun and upbeat [the album] is but also how honest and raw the lyrical content is,” senior Alexis Shama said. “My favorite song is probably ‘Sympathy is  Knife.’”

The album has had staying power, as students are still listening months after Brat Summer came to a close.

“I definitely come back to this album often!” Shama said. “I listen to it all the time, especially in the car or if I’m getting ready for a party.” 

Despite the passage of time, the album isn’t going anywhere any time soon. 

“This is weird but it kinda makes me feel like an alien,” junior Lyan Abdulhaq said.“It’s probably the bright green album cover and the auto tuned songs, but I feel like a bot in the best way possible.” 

“I like how the squelches and the screeches, I like how all of that is used to reflect the lyrics. I like how she actually gets into some vulnerable spaces. The music reflects that space, things that aren’t typically talked about in pop music.” Mr. Malone 

There’s a part in sympathy is a knife, and there is a pause, it sort of like – fitting in in spaces. 

“I also like that it’s so brat- I like that there’s not an answer to it. Brat might be being vulnerable.”