We are truly fortunate to revel in the joy of music once more. Charli xcx’s sixth studio album, Brat, stands as a cultural milestone, a testament to her artistry and influence. The promotional campaign for Brat has been nothing short of extraordinary. From intentionally low-quality album covers to striking billboards, engaging street interviews, immersive Boiler Room sets, and a distinctive blend of fashion, remixes, and merchandise, every aspect has been meticulously crafted.
The essence of Brat lies in its songwriting, characterized by raw emotion, vulnerability, allure, and a certain playful irreverence. A notable feature of Brat is Charli’s personal touch, as she name-drops friends like Julia Fox, George Daniel, SOPHIE, Addison Rae, The Dare, AG Cook, Lana Del Rey, Gabriette, HudMo, Yung Lean, and Robyn. In the remixes, this camaraderie is reciprocated, with Charli’s name being sung back to her.
Billie Eilish’s feature on Guess further exemplifies the boundary-breaking nature of the opus. The single’s artwork, which depicted Charli’s lower back tattoo alongside a mystery figure (widely speculated to be Billie due to her distinctive style), hinted at a deeper connection.
Charli’s reference to Billie’s lead single LUNCH from her album HIT ME HARD AND SOFT – “Eat it for lunch, yeah it’s so delicious” – sets the stage for Billie’s verse. Here, Billie embodies an omniscient figure privy to Charli’s intimate world, delivering lines like, “Don’t have to guess the colour of your underwear / Already know what you’ve got goin’ on down there.” This mirrors Charli’s invitation to guess, underscoring a subtle message of privacy and intimacy.
The verse concludes with a bold proposition: “Charli likes boys, but she knows I’d hit it / Charli, call me if you’re with it,” dismantling any remaining walls with sheer audacity.
The music video for Guess, directed by Aidan Zamiri (known for his work on ‘360’), is a masterful blend of provocation and artistry. As Zamiri aptly described it: “big insane music video, 10 thousand panties (give or take), 2 icons of modern music, 1 bulldozer.” The closing note of the video, which mentions that all unworn underwear will be donated to survivors of domestic violence through I Support The Girls, adds a layer of profound respect and social consciousness.