'This Is Global': Charli XCX Shares The Manifesto Behind Her Culture-Defining 'Brat' Album

As Charli XCX wraps up one of the biggest years in pop music in recent memory, the English musician has taken to social media to share the manifesto that informed her global hit record, Brat.

Released in June, Brat arrived as Charli’s sixth album and quickly became something of a cultural phenomenon.

Whether it’s the simplistic, iconic chartreuse album cover, the mesmerising mix of electronic pop, the immersive roll-out, or the myriad award nominations its received, it’s clear that ‘Brat summer’ is less of a fleeting feeling and more of an ongoing state of mind for the musician.

Now, Charli has offered a glimpse into her creative process, sharing a series of notes on her personal Instagram that she wrote to her record label, Atlantic, in 2023.

“The artwork for Brat will be obnoxious, arrogant and bold,” she began. “Some people will hate it. It will be heavily text based, either font on a plain background or some kind of painting on a wall or disregarded object.

“There is no explanation for what I do. The answer is always 'no comment'. We must cultivate desire, chaos and destruction. The whole album campaign is high art. But it is also crucial to understand the benefit of low art and celebrity. The coupling of the two is vital.”

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Charli xcx shares her ‘BRAT’ manifesto from summer of 2023:

“The artwork for BRAT will be obnoxious, arrogant and bold. Some people will hate it.” pic.twitter.com/i1YUSUaOko
— Pop Crave (@PopCrave) December 29, 2024

The notes continue to outline the album’s rollout, specifically pointing to her February Boiler Room set, which served its purpose as being “the first time anyone hears snippets of the music from Brat but no one will know what they are hearing”.

“Eventually these DJ sets will be referenced and looked back upon,” she added.

“You need to understand my vision. This is global,” Charli wrote in her final note, indicating foresight as to the phenomenon she was getting ready to release. “I will provide momentum and tell the story in a laser focued way. We must execute everything with power and confidence.

“The angels are ready and waiting. This is the moment.”

Some commentators were quick to question the validity of these notes, especially given how prescient they appeared to be. However, Charli shut down such notions on Twitter, simply writing, “female artists being underestimated… a tale as old as time”.

Charli XCX will be bringing her Brat era to Australia in just over a month, with the in-demand musician headlining the 2025 edition of the Laneway Festival. Tickets to the festival are on sale now.

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