British pop singer Charli XCX’s sixth studio album, “Brat,” took the world by storm in June 2024, drenching timelines and lives in neon green. The album’s energy encapsulated a wild and carefree spirit that resonated with fans around the globe. Brat summer, as it came to be known, embodied a sense of feral vulnerability, existential despair, and bisexual chaos that felt like a breath of fresh air in a world of polite pop stardom.
However, as Brat’s popularity grew, so did its co-option by normies and brands seeking to capitalize on its trendiness. Many argued that the day Kamala Harris’s campaign appropriated Brat iconography was the day Brat summer died. Others pointed to Deutsche Bank’s ill-advised Instagram post looking for a “Brat in finance” as the ultimate betrayal of the Brat spirit.
Despite these challenges, the legacy of Brat summer lives on in the hearts of fans who embraced its messy, fun, and unapologetic vibe. While the official end of Brat summer may have come on August 9, 2024, the impact of the album and its accompanying cultural moment continues to resonate with those who refuse to conform to societal expectations.
As writer and critic, Madeleine Gray, aptly put it, Brat summer may be over, but the spirit of Brat lives on. The album’s influence and legacy extend beyond its initial release, leaving a lasting imprint on those who dare to embrace their inner Brat.
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