BUMPIN' That

Officially crowned the anthem of the year by netizens, Charli XCX's "Brat" has made waves across pop culture, leaving its mark on fashion, economic affairs- and even politics.

- SYAZIL ABD RAHIM

If you’re reading this, you’ve probably noticed the internet’s latest obsession: the “brat” aesthetic, largely thanks to Charli XCX’s newest studio album. It’s hard to miss the chaos wrapped in neon green and black — the album cover itself, emblazoned with “brat” against a lime backdrop, is as blunt as it gets. Charli’s unapologetic, retro-electronic, hyper-pop bangers like 360, Apple and Girl, So Confusing have shot up the charts, tackling themes like confidence, generational trauma and self-doubt along the way.

What sets “brat” apart, though, is its commitment to everything anti-fashion — bold, unpolished, and, to some, even intentionally ugly. Yet, that’s exactly why it works. Since its June release, the album’s aesthetic has ignited social media feeds, driven style trends and — in a twist no one saw coming — even sparked political memes (just Google “Kamala IS brat”). But that’s just scratching the surface. The “brat” movement has opened up deeper conversations about marketing, branding and even self-discovery.