Charli XCX Opens Up About Struggling Between “Underground Left Artist” and “Commercial Package” Identity

Charli XCX reveals how her 2024 album 'Brat' helped her find her true place in music amid industry pressures.

Finding Her Place in Music: The Journey to ‘Brat’

If you’ve followed Charli XCX’s career, you know she’s never been one to fit neatly into a box. In a revealing interview, Charli, born Charlotte Aitchison, opened up about the intense inner conflict she faced for years—wondering whether she should embrace being an “underground left artist” or become a polished “commercial package.” For many fans, this duality felt like a silent battle she was fighting in the background. It wasn’t until her 2024 album, Brat, that she finally felt comfortable in her own skin, creatively and personally.

Charli XCX lighting up Glastonbury 2025 – credit Derek Bremner

The singer has always prioritized making music that she genuinely wants to create and hopes others will enjoy. As she put it, “I don’t even think my driving factor has been, ‘I wanna be the biggest pop star ever in the world.’ I always just wanted to make music on my own terms and have as many people listen to it as possible, which sounds really simple.”

But it wasn’t simple at all. Charli struggled with where she belonged in the sprawling landscape of pop and underground music scenes.

“Am I supposed to be this underground left artist, or am I supposed to try and be this commercial package? And I think before Brat, I just gave up on fighting with myself on that,” she admitted. “I really said, ‘Okay, I am going to make this record in this specific way, and I’m actually fine with the consequences of that; if it means no one hears it, if it means I get dropped by my label.’”

For a fan who's followed Charli’s evolution, this confession hits hard. It’s like watching an artist peel back layers of expectation to reveal something raw and authentic. The release of Brat wasn’t just another album drop—it was a statement of identity and creative freedom.

The Impact and Reception of ‘Brat’

Brat didn’t just mark a turning point for Charli; it also resonated powerfully with listeners worldwide. The album soared to Number One in countries such as the UK, Australia, Croatia, Ireland, and New Zealand. In the United States, it climbed to a respectable Number Three, proving that taking creative risks can pay dividends on the charts too.

The album also sparked the Brat Summer phenomenon, a vibrant cultural moment that celebrated Charli’s most successful era yet. Fans embraced her fearless dancefloor-ready sound, which fused club music influences with her signature boldness.

What’s special about Brat is how it juxtaposes Charli’s confidence with vulnerability. Critics praised the album for combining these elements in thrilling fashion, with one review highlighting how Charli “fully embraces club music” while delivering an emotionally rich experience.

From ‘Crash’ to ‘Brat’: The Evolution of Sound

Before Brat, Charli had an interesting shift with her 2022 album Crash. That record moved away from the hyperpop style that had defined much of her 2010s output, leaning instead into dance-pop and synth-pop. Charli cheekily dubbed Crash her “major label sell-out” record, showing her self-awareness about navigating the commercial side of the music world.

This background makes Brat feel all the more like a liberation. It’s as if Charli took everything she’d learned and said, “Now, I’m doing it my way.”

What’s Next? Peeks Behind the Curtain

Fans eager for Charli’s next move have reason to be intrigued. Just recently, she shared studio footage teasing a new album described by collaborators as “really different and fresh.” This hints at another exciting chapter, possibly yet another reinvention.

<3 pic.twitter.com/sQxZVzikzm

— Charli (@charli_xcx) October 5, 2025

In May, Charli even hinted that her next album might be a “flop,” embracing the unpredictability of creative exploration. She said, “You can never really do the same thing twice and my next record will probably be a flop which I’m down for to be honest.”

Adding to the anticipation, her producers—A.G. Cook, Finn Keane, and George Daniel (also her husband)—have described the upcoming project as “anti-Brat,” suggesting a direction that completely contrasts with her last album.

“Some of the conversations we’re having and music we’ve been playing around with the last couple of months have been completely the opposite,” Finn Keane shared.

This willingness to push boundaries and challenge expectations is quintessential Charli XCX. It’s what keeps her music fresh and her fans constantly guessing.

Public Perception vs. Reality

Despite her creative breakthroughs, Charli admits she’s keenly aware of how she’s perceived by the public. She reads as much media coverage about herself as possible, curious about the casual fan’s perspective.

She shared, “I’m always interested in, like, what does the casual viewer think? And they probably think I’m a girl who parties and does drugs and is a little bit bitchy.”

It’s a reminder that behind the vibrant stage persona is a human navigating the complex terrain of public image, stereotypes, and artistic identity.

FAQ

• How did Charli XCX describe her struggle with music industry identity?
  She said she struggled with whether to be an “underground left artist” or a “commercial package,” and ultimately decided to make her album Brat on her own terms.
• What was the impact of the album Brat?
  The album reached Number One in multiple countries, sparked the Brat Summer phenomenon, and became Charli’s most successful record yet.
• How does Brat differ from Charli's previous work?
  Brat embraces club music and vulnerability, moving away from the hyperpop of her earlier career and the synth-pop of Crash.
• What direction is Charli's upcoming album rumored to take?
  Producers describe it as “anti-Brat,” signaling a fresh and different sound that contrasts with her last album.
• What does Charli think casual listeners believe about her?
  She believes casual viewers might think she’s “a girl who parties and does drugs and is a little bit bitchy,” highlighting the gap between perception and reality.

If you adore Charli’s bold creativity and want to bring that energy into your space, why not check out our collection of iconic album cover posters? They’re the perfect way to celebrate your favorite music moments. Shop your favorite album cover poster here.