If Barbie’s Pepto-Bismol pink defined the carefree nostalgia of last summer, then Charli XCX’s neon-hued Brat has quickly enshrined itself as the backdrop of this year’s sultry season. Driven by social media trends, the album introduces us to the so-called “brat summer,” a term Charli XCX uses to encapsulate a blithe attitude defined by an unkempt lifestyle, rife with partying and poor decisions, largely influenced by her own upbringing in Essex, England, where she frequented raves and dance clubs.

These are the underpinnings of Brat, balancing drunken revelry with respites of introspection. With the upbeat main theme of “360,” the opening track, Charli XCX asks listeners to take a full 360-degree turn and recognize how her influence permeates every corner of culture. The song lays the groundwork for the boastful, audacious side of the “brat girl” persona, highlighting her pervasive cultural impact. This boldness contrasts sharply with the more vulnerable and introspective moments that emerge later in the album.