What is a Brat summer? How Charli XCX’s album became part of presidential race

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It's a drama-filled summer, and the vice president's fresh bid for the presidency has now entered the mix.

"Kamala is a spoiled child," the singer - whose real name is Charlotte Aitchison - told her 3.6 million followers on X, talking about her successful sixth studio album, Brat. The album has inspired the "Brat summer" trend on social media, so it's not shocking that the post on 21 July became a hit with Gen Z, getting more than 18 million views and 244,000 likes.

But what exactly is a Brat summer all about?

When Charli XCX released her sixth album, Brat, on June 7th, it quickly became popular on social media for its infectious, futuristic club hits. This album marked a change from Charli XCX's usual hyper-pop style, instead embracing gritty house beats that were popular in the late 2000s and early 2010s. Some say that Brat has become the go-to party soundtrack for this generation. While Charli XCX has been making music since the 2010s, collaborating on hits like "Fancy" with Iggy Azalea and "Boom Clap" for the Fault in Our Stars soundtrack, she hasn't experienced as much mainstream success until the release of Brat this summer.

Brat has become a sensation among young people, with highlights including Lorde collaborating on a remix of Charli's song "Girl, so confusing" and a TikTok dance to "Apple" gaining popularity.

In the "Brat summer" movement, there is a focus on breaking rules and disregarding traditional social expectations. Instead of embracing the typical "clean girl" look, this movement celebrates the carefree and wild party girl aesthetic. The bright neon green color of the album is making waves this season, replacing the more traditional Barbie pink hue.

"You're simply that young woman who is a bit disorganized and might say foolish things occasionally, who is confident but also might have a breakdown, but still pushes through," the singer of the song "Apple" described in a TikTok video. "It's sincere, straightforward, and somewhat unstable. That's Brat. Imagine Courtney Love in the '90s, Amy Winehouse in the early 2000s, and Ke$ha in the 2010s."

What do people think about Brat summer, and how are they actively participating in it?

Lots of folks have been totally feeling their rebellious side this summer, channeling the cool, edgy vibes of the album and bringing them into their day-to-day routines.

If you could sum up the lively atmosphere of a crowded dance floor in one album, it would be Brat. It perfectly encapsulates the sensation of being sweaty, sticky, and surrounded by people while contemplating whether or not to have a cigarette. There's a touch of existential boredom, the desire to escape the day's troubles by immersing oneself in a wild night out. Charli sings about her fears of aging and expresses her desire to turn back time on songs like "Rewind".

The album brings back memories of the good old days at clubs before everyone had smartphones recording every moment. It has a lot of references to the 2000s in the lyrics and song titles, like "Von dutch." The album celebrates being carefree and wild without worrying about being photographed. It's all about embracing the chaos. The main idea of being a "brat" is not caring about others' opinions and just being yourself. It's about embracing your wild side, and as Charli sings in "Club Classics," never ending the party until the sun comes up.

What are some ways I can make my summer fun and exciting?

To show off bratty vibes, some say you should draw inspiration from Charli XCX's idols like Julia Fox and Gabriette.

The song "360" mentions Fox in a line about seeing oneself in the mirror. The author of Down the Drain is famous for her fearless approach, no-holds-barred attitude, and honesty. She is bold and willing to challenge norms, choosing to look timeless rather than pretty. By trying new styles, you can be just as confident and unique as her.

In the music video "360," model Gabriette emphasized the importance of appearing both attractive and intimidating. She suggests rocking a slightly messy eye makeup similar to Effy Stonem or sporting eyebrows like Mia Goth. Forget about conforming to society's standards of perfection and instead embrace the effortless, just-woke-up style that Ke$ha popularized in the 2010s.

According to Charli, anyone has the potential to act in a spoiled or entitled way. In an interview, she mentioned that being a brat can involve both luxury items as well as more low-class items. For example, just having a pack of cigarettes, a Bic lighter, and a strappy white top without a bra can be enough to embody the brat persona.

What role has Kamala taken on suddenly?

Following President Joe Biden's decision to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race and throw his support behind Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic nominee, a young British pop singer showed her approval. This led to a wave of memes celebrating Harris' nomination.

TikTok users have started using songs from Brat to create fan cam edits, remixes, and compilations featuring the vice president's most meme-worthy moments. One popular quote being used is, "Do you think you just fell out of a coconut tree? You exist in the context of all in which you live and what came before you."

Once the official campaign account changed to KamalaHQ from BidenHQ, the campaign quickly took advantage of Charli XCX's popular post. They updated the cover photo to match the slime green color of the Brat album, with "kamala hq" written in a simple black font. Additionally, Harris's personal social media accounts started following the pop star on Twitter and Instagram.

"Kamala Harris' announcement to run for president in 2024 has created quite a buzz, and I am totally on board," tweeted one individual. Another person expressed, "I never anticipated the combination of Brat summer and Kamala, but I am excited to see these worlds collide."