Rating: 7/10
Charli xcx released her new remix album, “Brat and it’s completely different but also still brat,” on Friday, Oct. 11.
The beloved “Brat” took a different direction with remixes, featuring various artists like Ariana Grande, Troye Sivan, The 1975 and more.
“Brat” has been transformed and revived with an experimental take featuring familiar voices, refreshing dance beats and a surprising hint of mellow elements.
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The complete new set of lyrics, rhythms, melodies and overall emotion settles the album as an intriguing piece that makes the listening experience unique and unexpected.
At first glance, the remix album gives the impression that it will not live up to “Brat” because of its unchanging opening track, “360,” featuring a cappella from Robyn & Yung Lean.
The first taste of a known song gives a glimpse of having expectations for the album only to find out that it is capable of taking any direction.
Hints of the original “Brat” songs remain on each track, but every additional or changed musical layer gives each “Brat” track a new character.
Where the opening track sets a low bar, track two, “Club classics featuring bb trickz,” strikes up an adrenaline rush evoking a need to dance with consistent catchy beats throughout most of the album.
New dance-inducing beats capture the ear of listeners with the support of artists in tune with Charli xcx’s distorted and autotuned voice as heard in “Sympathy is a knife featuring Ariana Grande.”
The remixes get more surprising through each listen, especially with songs like “I might say something stupid featuring the 1975 & jon hopkins” that incorporate a slow-paced melodic piano piece synonymous with Charli xcx’s message of isolation.
“Von dutch a. g. cook remix featuring addison rae” takes the cake with its new dance music elements while simultaneously evoking the same confident feeling as the original.
The album moves in and out of keeping listeners on their feet with electrifying sounds and more grounded songs — “Everything is romantic featuring caroline polachek” and “So I featuring a. g. cook” give listeners the perfect balance to sit back and enjoy listening through the album’s entirety.
Overall, “Brat and it’s completely different but also still brat,” despite staying true to sounds that make fans want to move their body, steers in a direction that is more representative of Charli xcx’s emotions and vulnerability.
The new remix album is fun, honest and explorative with collaborators that enhance the feeling, sound and experience of “Brat.”
Charli xcx’s versatility as a writer and musician truly broke through with this new remix album, shining more light and honor on her name and talent.
