Photo used with permission from Atlantic Records

“Brat,” an album by singer-songwriter Charli XCX released June 7, is currently surging in popularity. The album sparked major trends on social media over the summer, with users dancing and lip-syncing to its tracks on platforms like TikTok.

British singer-songwriter Charli XCX released her highly-anticipated album “Brat” June 7. The electro-pop album explores themes of strength, insecurity, confidence and vulnerability, all while embracing the essence of girlhood. The album release also inspired a trend called “Brat” summer across all social media platforms.
Known for her upbeat music, XCX has consistently pushed the boundaries of what mainstream pop music can be. With hits like “Boom Clap” and “I Love It,” she has established herself as a pop icon.
Following the release of XCX’s album, the “Brat” summer trend gained traction across social media platforms. “Brat” summer encourages a free, careless and edgy summer and, as of Sept. 3, has over 133.6K posts under #bratsummer on TikTok. Her latest work marks a distinct shift in her artistic direction, embodying a powerful new message that resonates with fans worldwide.
Saira Mundassery (’26) said she loves the “Brat” summer trend and its empowering message.
“I think ‘Brat’ summer is so cute,” Mundassery said. “It’s all about unapologetic confidence and embracing girlhood and really gives off such radiant and confident energy.”
Emre Yetkin (’27) said he recognizes both positive and negative ideals that come with the trending “Brat” era.
“It’s a really big trend on TikTok right now, but it almost gives the reputation of being the summer where you don’t care about being organized,” Yetkin said. “Although, it is a cool trend and it allows an artist that wasn’t so popular before to rise.”
Ava Ellison (’28) said she discovered XCX through social media and her sister.
“My older sister loves her and, when we were driving throughout the summer, she always would play Charli XCX,” Ellison said. “On TikTok, it’s really famous also, and I think it’s definitely really funky and exciting.”

Mundassery said she first encountered the resurgence of XCX’s music while at summer camp, where the new album made a strong impression on her.

“I came across it because my camp counselor this summer was obsessed with Charli XCX and she would always blast the songs on the new ‘Brat’ album,” Mundassery said. “She even used the songs to wake us up and would dance around to the songs.”
On the other hand, Yetkin said he came across XCX because of the trending dance to her new song “Apple.” As of Sept. 3, 1.6 million videos have been posted with the song “Apple” on TikTok.
Mundassery said she believes the current surge of XCX’s fame is connected to the artist’s decision to release music that is purely her own.
“I feel like before the ‘Brat’ album, all of her songs were her and some other artist,” Mundassery said. “For example, the song “I Love It” was really famous but there was another artist also, yet ‘Brat’ is only Charli XCX.”
Yetkin said he had heard about XCX before, but by her other popular songs — not by name.
“I had heard of one of her songs and I remember watching the music video when I was eight, but now she has really risen in popularity,” Yetkin said.
The “Brat” phenomenon extends beyond social media trends. According to The Guardian, U.S. Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris has embraced the album through the Kamala HQ TikTok profile featuring a lime green square with the words “Kamala hq,” reminiscent of the “Brat” album cover.
Mundassery said she finds Harris’ use of the “Brat” trend “hilarious” and “unexpected.”
Ultimately, Ellison said she appreciates the trend as it encourages individuality and authenticity.
“I think it brings lots of confidence,” Ellison said. “It allows everyone to have their own vibe instead of copying everyone else and to kind of find your individual confidence.”