Charli XCX on How ‘Brat’ Brought a “New Audience” That “Didn’t Really Get Me”

Charli XCX’s album ‘Brat’ attracted a fresh audience, some of whom connected deeply while others just grazed her unique vibe.

When ‘Brat’ Changed the Game for Charli XCX

If you’ve been following Charli XCX’s meteoric rise, you know her 2024 album Brat wasn’t just another record drop—it was a seismic shift. As someone who’s vibed to her evolving sound for years, I can tell you Brat felt like her boldest, most unapologetic statement yet. This album didn’t just bring hits; it invited a whole new crowd to the party—some true fans, some just surface-level admirers. Charli herself has opened up about this mixed reception and how it inspired her latest creative projects.

Charli, whose real name is Charlotte Aitchison, described in a recent interview how Brat opened the floodgates to a wider audience, a move that was exciting yet complicated. “I’d been this relatively niche artist, and then had suddenly been opened up to this huge new audience, some of whom really connected with me, some of whom only connected with aspects of me, some of whom liked me, but didn’t really get me,” she said.

This new attention also sparked the creation of The Moment, a mockumentary directed by Aidan Zamiri that stars Charli playing a fictionalized version of herself. The film explores the nuances of fame and identity as Charli navigates the spotlight—a transition she admits was tough and eye-opening.

The Story Behind ‘The Moment’: Fame, Music, and Wild Weekends

Filming The Moment was a whirlwind. Charli recalls, “Every single weekend, we would just go out and party. Sometimes Aidan would just blast The Prodigy whilst they were setting up a shot.” That mix of gritty realism and chaotic fun captures the essence of Charli’s world during this explosive chapter of her career.

If you haven’t watched the trailer yet, it’s a perfect dose of that wild, unfiltered Charli energy that Brat unleashed on the world.

‘Brat’: The Album That Took Charts by Storm

Released in June 2024, two years after her album Crash, Brat smashed records. It topped charts in Australia, Ireland, New Zealand, and the UK, and even hit Number Three on the US Billboard charts—a massive feat for an artist who once flew under the radar.

According to Metacritic, Brat became the highest-rated album of 2024 and ranks as the 15th-highest-rated album of all time. Critics praised the album’s blend of dancefloor-ready beats and introspective lyrics that capture the rollercoaster of Charli’s growth.

“Growing pains, grief and aching doubts come alongside self-confidence, celebration and the knowledge of the place XCX holds in the musical landscape – indeed, she kicks off ‘360’ with the knowing: ‘I went my own way and I made it / I’m your favourite reference baby’. With ‘Brat’, XCX demonstrates that going her own way will always sound pretty good.”

Expanding the ‘Brat’ Universe: Deluxe and Remix Editions

Charli didn’t stop at just one version of Brat. The deluxe edition, cheekily titled Brat And It’s The Same But There’s Three More Songs So It’s Not, dropped shortly after the standard release, adding fresh layers to the album’s story.

Then came the remix album, Brat and It’s Completely Different But Also Still Brat, a masterclass in club music curation that gave fans even more reasons to hit the dancefloor.

If you haven’t jammed to “360” yet, it’s a vibrant highlight that perfectly captures the album’s energy.

The End of ‘Brat’ Summer and New Creative Directions

By April 2025, Charli declared the official end of the Brat summer. She’s been turning her creative gaze toward film, feeling “more inspired by film than by music” lately—a shift that’s evident in her upcoming projects like The Moment and the soundtrack album for Emerald Fennell’s upcoming film Wuthering Heights, set to release February 13.

She’s already dropped a few tracks from the soundtrack, including:

• House, featuring John Cale of The Velvet Underground
• Chains Of Love
• Wall Of Sound

And just recently, Charli shared the full Wuthering Heights soundtrack tracklist, which includes a fresh collaboration with Sky Ferreira. It’s clear her artistry is evolving, blending cinematic flair with her distinctive sound.

Would Charli XCX Ever Record a James Bond Theme?

A fun tidbit from a recent chat on The Julia Cunningham Show—when asked about the possibility of recording a James Bond theme, Charli playfully said she doesn’t think she’s quite “built” for it. “I think I probably sing with too much AutoTune to do a James Bond,” she joked, adding, “Never say never. I’m open to it if they want to call me, which they won’t.”

Hey, never say never, right? A Charli XCX Bond theme would definitely be a game-changer.

Wrapping It Up: The Brat Era and Beyond

Charli XCX’s Brat era was a whirlwind of success, self-discovery, and new fans—some who truly got her, others who only caught glimpses. It’s been a period of transformation, spotlight, and creative risk-taking that she’s now channeling into film and fresh musical projects.

What’s your favorite track from Brat or its deluxe/remix editions? And how do you feel about Charli’s shift toward film inspiration? Let’s chat below!

FAQ

• How did ‘Brat’ change Charli XCX’s audience?
  Brat brought Charli a broader audience, including fans who connected deeply with her and others who only related to parts of her persona.
• What is The Moment about?
  It’s a mockumentary where Charli plays a fictionalized version of herself, exploring the ups and downs of sudden fame.
• How successful was ‘Brat’ commercially?
  It topped several international charts and became the highest-rated album of 2024 on Metacritic.
• What other projects is Charli focused on now?
  She’s working on a film, The Moment, and a soundtrack album for Wuthering Heights, showcasing her growing interest in cinematic music.
• Is Charli XCX interested in recording a James Bond theme?
  She’s open but skeptical, joking that her AutoTune-heavy singing might not fit the traditional Bond vibe.

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