What is Brat Summer? Charli XCX’s Feral Summer Aesthetic Explained

What is Brat Summer? Charli XCX’s Feral Summer Aesthetic Explained

As a fan of music and pop culture, I’ve been captivated by Charli XCX’s journey from her punk-filled collaboration with Taylor Swift to her recent tours with Troye Sivan. Her career is a testament to her unique style and fearless approach to self-expression.


She’s everywhere, she’s so Julia.

Charli XCX’s “brat summer” is defined by lime green accessories, messy hair and…Kamala Harris?

As a long-time music enthusiast and someone who grew up listening to British pop music, I must say that the release of the latest album by a popular British pop star has undeniably become the cultural highlight of my summer. This artist has always had a special place in my heart, and their new album, with its catchy beats and thought-provoking lyrics, has only solidified that connection. The energy and emotion that this album conveys perfectly encapsulates the feelings and experiences of a generation, making it an essential addition to any music lover’s collection. It’s always exciting when an artist can capture the zeitgeist in such a powerful way, and I feel incredibly fortunate to have experienced it firsthand.

But what exactly does it mean to be a brat?

I had the chance to delve into the essence of the “bratosphere” during a recent TikTok interview, post the launch of the album.

In her July 1 post, the 32-year-old described someone as having similarities to a woman who is somewhat disorganized, enjoys social gatherings, and can occasionally blunder. This person appears confident, yet may experience emotional upheavals, but manages to maintain an energetic spirit throughout her struggles.

Born as Charlotte Emma Aitchison, popularly known as Charli XCX, kick-started her music journey back in 2008 by sharing her tunes on MySpace. Eventually, a promoter spotted her talent. Over the past 16 years, she has experimented with various musical genres, performing at clandestine warehouse raves and later producing chart-topping pop tracks that even earned Grammy nominations.

Regarding her latest album, titled “360”, this singer chose to follow her intuition and dare in the type of music she shared globally, ultimately leading her back to her original dance music foundations.

In a recent chat with The Face magazine, I found myself reminiscing about the vibrant and unpredictable era of pop music that once ruled the airwaves. You could say I pine for the days of Paris Hilton, an emblem of that time when creativity reigned supreme, and artists weren’t so preoccupied with their image or the potential offense their work might cause.

Even though the popular music industry expected her to conform, Charli managed to thrive by being authentic and turning down the generic pop star mold.

She shared with GQ in May that if she had endured hardships without complaint, focused on her career, and perhaps opted for cosmetic enhancements, she could potentially thrive in a more business-oriented environment. At times, she considers this path, but she believes her fans would sense insincerity because it wouldn’t align with her true nature. However, she admitted that this perceived inauthenticity might also lead the general public to question her actions.

It appears that the popular artist is on to something, as a TikTok dance craze for her song “Apple” has swept across the internet like wildfire. Remarkably, even the cast of the movie “Twisters,” including Daisy Edgar Jones, Glen Powell, and Anthony Ramos, have joined in on this trend.

What is Brat Summer? Charli XCX’s Feral Summer Aesthetic Explained

The term “brat” became a significant aspect of the Vice President’s presidential campaign following Charli’s declaration on X (previously known as Twitter): “Kamala is a brat.” (paraphrased)

In response to numerous internet users creating popular memes and reinterpretations of a 2023 speech by Kamala Harris, using a line where she humorously questioned, “Did you really just fall out of a coconut tree?”, the official @KamalaHQ account on X platform capitalized on this trend by updating its header with the instantly recognizable lime green color scheme and unique typography associated with the “Brat”.

With the Vice President joining in, too, Charli has managed to encourage a wide variety of individuals to express their playful, mischievous side.

In an interview with Billboard, she mentioned that Brat offered an intriguing experience where activities seemed exclusive for the fan base. However, once you’re part of it, it turns out to be quite inclusive. Essentially, anyone can become a member. The timing and method of joining might vary, such as through private Instagram posts, Boiler Room events (limited to 400 people), screenings of new music videos in LA theaters, or even a personal text message from her.

Delve into your playful spirit this summer, and join us as we trace Charli’s growth over time.

What is Brat Summer? Charli XCX’s Feral Summer Aesthetic Explained

In the year 2008, Charli XCX embarked on her musical journey. She shared her tunes online, particularly on Myspace, which eventually caught the attention of a talent scout.

What is Brat Summer? Charli XCX’s Feral Summer Aesthetic Explained

Following the signing of a record deal with Asylum Records back in 2010, the artist known as Charlotte Emma Aitchison began exploring the type of musician she wished to become during her initial phase of career development.

“She shared with The Guardian in 2013 that she was unsure of her identity and preferences,” she admitted. “Although she was already signed, she was still in the process of discovering herself.”

What is Brat Summer? Charli XCX’s Feral Summer Aesthetic Explained

Born in Cambridge, England, she experienced her significant debut as a writer and collaborator on the song “I Love It” by Icona Pop. This hit song climbed to the top of the U.K. charts the year after its release.

What is Brat Summer? Charli XCX’s Feral Summer Aesthetic Explained

Charli released her debut studio album, True Romance, in April 2013. 

What is Brat Summer? Charli XCX’s Feral Summer Aesthetic Explained

The following year brought yet another iconic collaboration with the release of “Fancy” with Iggy Azalea. And it wasn’t long after that her track “Boom Clap” became a sensation after being featured in The Fault in Our Stars, starring Shailene Woodley and Ansel Elgort

What is Brat Summer? Charli XCX’s Feral Summer Aesthetic Explained

She took part in a punk rendition of “Shake It Off” with Taylor Swift at the 1989 World Tour stop in Toronto.

What is Brat Summer? Charli XCX’s Feral Summer Aesthetic Explained

Charli traded in her signature edgy style for a sporty tennis skirt in this 2016 portrait session. 

What is Brat Summer? Charli XCX’s Feral Summer Aesthetic Explained

In 2017, the acclaimed British pop artist remained authentic throughout her journey, dropping the mixtape titled “Number 1 Angel“.

She shared with the San Francisco Chronicle in March that “Number 1 Angel” is likely her most cherished music she’s put out, explaining it as a reflection of her genuine self and thoughts, unburdened by any external pressures or expectations.

What is Brat Summer? Charli XCX’s Feral Summer Aesthetic Explained

Once more, she performed alongside Taylor on stage, participating in over fifty stadium shows. Notably, Camila Cabello and I were the opening acts for the Reputation Stadium Tour.

What is Brat Summer? Charli XCX’s Feral Summer Aesthetic Explained

Five years after her last studio album, she released her third studio album, Charli.

She shared with TopMob News in September 2019 that this upcoming release represents a deeply personal collection of work for her. While she has tackled similar themes before, she also explores her own mental health for the first time. It seemed like the appropriate moment to bring this topic into light.

What is Brat Summer? Charli XCX’s Feral Summer Aesthetic Explained

For the Brit Awards, Charli chose a “stylish and feminine” appearance, as she explained to British Vogue, wearing a black Fendi dress.

What is Brat Summer? Charli XCX’s Feral Summer Aesthetic Explained

The “Apple” singer was dressed to impress in a lacy black dress for the 2021 MTV Music Awards.

What is Brat Summer? Charli XCX’s Feral Summer Aesthetic Explained

At the 2022 Spotify Wrapped event party in Los Angeles, the Grammy-nominated individual was spotted alongside Paris Hilton.

What is Brat Summer? Charli XCX’s Feral Summer Aesthetic Explained

She can be found just about anywhere, and indeed, she was there too – at the 2023 Vanity Fair Oscar party. There, she captivated everyone in a striking gothic two-piece dress.

What is Brat Summer? Charli XCX’s Feral Summer Aesthetic Explained

In 2024, the popular musician graced the Met Gala wearing a Marni dress styled after punk fashion, made from repurposed old T-shirts.

What is Brat Summer? Charli XCX’s Feral Summer Aesthetic Explained

2024’s scorching summer season kicks off as Charli XCX teams up with Troye Sivan for the “Sweat Tour.”

The launch of Charli’s sixth album titled “Brat” sparked a significant cultural movement, with Vice President Kamala Harris also joining in on the trend during her presidential campaign. In fact, Charli herself referred to Harris as “so brat.”

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2024-08-02 10:18