S Poddar
Charli XCX, the pop sensation known for her boundary-pushing music, is back with a remix album that is as electrifying as it is introspective. The album, titled Brat and It’s Completely Different But Also Still Brat, finds Charli exploring the inside of her own complexities and the bittersweet experience of fame and mainstream success.
Charli recorded original material for the Brat album that explored issues of self-doubt and the pressures applied by the music industry. She discussed a serious issue of whether commercial success was possible and how the world watches your every move. But the unexpected success catapulted her to things that she once only dreamed of through this very album.
The remix album develops further on its original works and offers fresh insight and collaborations with artists of diverse backgrounds. From the experimental soundscapes of Caroline Polachek to the introspective lyrics by Lorde, every track brings something new to the table. This is a testament to the versatility of Charli as an artist and an ability to work well with others.
One of the most striking aspects of the remix album is Charli’s willingness to be honest about the pains of fame, such as the loss of privacy in “B2B” and “Sympathy Is a Knife.” She intelligently talks about the pressures on relationships and the constant strain put upon them by having to hold up an image. It is refreshing and relatable to remember that the most successful people aren’t without struggle.
But Charli is not discouraged. She is always of the bright side. Thus, this is an album representing her life journey and that there is indeed strength in the human spirit. It’s almost as if even those moments of distress are related to happiness and contentment.
More than just a remix album, Brat and It’s Completely Different But Also Still Brat is actually a reflection on the complexity of fame, as well as testimony of artistry into Charli XCX’s craft. For all pop fans, here is something you cannot miss and explore creatively.
