The album, which is a reflection of the London rave scene and is mostly filled with electropop anthems and aspiring club classics, received critical acclaim and is the highest rated album of 2024 so far, and the 16th highest rated album of all time as of July 2024.
Since its launch, Brats have become an internet sensation, rapidly gaining popularity, replacing last summer’s hyper-pink, Barbiecore-esque aesthetic with a more grungy green skin tone, with everyone under 35 declaring that they’re having a “Brat Summer.”
But what exactly is a Brat Summer? We’ll tell you the details.
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What is “Brat” Summer?
Characterized by its minimalist lime green album covers, the brat movement rejected social conventions and “clean girl” trends in favor of a more carefree, party-loving lifestyle.
Brats embrace chaos and accept imperfection. They embrace all aspects of themselves and don’t care what other people think of them.
In a recent TikTok, Charli XCX herself explained what it’s like to live the brat lifestyle.
She said, “You’re a girl who’s a bit messy, who likes to party, who says stupid things sometimes. You feel yourself, but you can get emotionally drained. But you get over it and you party, and you’re very honest, very forthright. You’re a girl who’s a bit quirky and does stupid things.”
“But that’s a brat. You’re a brat. That’s a brat.”
Charlie went on to explain that a Brat Summer “can go very extravagant, but it can also go very raunchy. A pack of cigarettes, a Bic lighter, a strappy white top. No bra. That’s pretty much all you need.”
Imagine it’s 3am and you’re on a dance floor in the middle of a rundown warehouse in East London, with barely a memory of how you got there and even less of what time you’re leaving.
You’re surrounded by hundreds of sweaty, sticky bodies, so close you can’t breathe, and the music is so loud you almost throw up.
You wonder whether to have another drink or a cigarette. You smile over your shoulder at your best friend. It’s the best night of your life.
That is exactly the energy we are looking for here.
Who will be taking part in Brat Summer?
Anyone can take part in Brat Summer, but since the album’s release, celebrities from all walks of life have been seen embracing the trend on the internet.
One of the earliest examples of a celebrity experiencing Brat Summer was Kyle MacLachlan (yes, that’s right). Perhaps best known for his roles in Twin Peaks and Dune, the 65-year-old actor recently took to social media to express his love for brats.
In June, the actor changed his Instagram profile to a bright green circle with just his name, “KYLE,” inspired by the album’s cover, and later shared a TikTok of himself listening to songs from the album, including a photo of himself with Charli XCX himself after his Boiler Room show in Ibiza.
Julia Fox (of Uncut Gems fame) is perhaps the most “brat” celebrity of all time. As referenced in the album’s opening song, “360” (where Charlie sings, “I’m everywhere, I’m Julia”), Fox was one of Brat Summer’s biggest inspirations when it came to becoming an It Girl.
A social media darling, Fox is known not only for her status as an actress and style icon, but also as an author, podcast host, and viral memes (such as, “Actually, I did it myself… yeah…”).
She is certainly everywhere.
Even presidential candidate Kamala Harris is enjoying Brat Summer.
After Joe Biden dropped out of the presidential race this week, Charlie XCX posted his support for Harris, X: “Kamala’s a brat.”
Shortly after the post, Harris’ X campaign account changed its banner to match the Brat theme, with the words “Kamala HQ” on a minimalist green background.
If even future presidential candidates can have a Brat Summer, surely you can too.
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