Superstar Standouts: Charli XCX's Brat

    

    Charli XCX has been making waves with Brat. I mean, after all, it's Brat summer. And it'll never end. 

    As soon as you press play on "360" you're met with an overwhelming realm of sound. It crashes, it smashes, it smacks, it slaps. I don't even think you can call this "lush" as much as the sound is the whole damn garden.

    Brat engages you sonically in a way few records do. It's really its own experience. I think the record is all about its sound, and even Charli utilizes herself as an instrument to put the sound itself on a pedestal. That's not a bad thing at all. It's purely and utterly artistic. 

    The subject matter itself though is either totally party or totally heavy. Which creates an interesting and relatable parallel. 

    We all know Charli can sing, but sometimes it's like she's just having a conversation with us here. Though she gives us her all on tracks like "Sympathy is a knife." It's an artistic choice that really makes it all hit home. And it makes you pay attention to the lyrics. 

    The length of the tracks make this album a quick and enthralling listen. And you'll be along for the ride and paying attention the whole way. When you jump from the human-condition speaking "I might say something stupid" and then club popping "talk talk" and THEN the forward-thinking "Von dutch." You're going to be wowed. 

Rank: S. bratS.

Recommendation: when you feel like a brat!

Standouts:

    Honestly, every track has its own strength and fits any mood you could be in. Shout out to "Apple" because it's a bop from the top.