Brat Universe Lecture

Jul 13, 2024

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Brat Universe Lecture Notes

Introduction

  • The speaker did not visit Amsterdam for traditional tourist attractions or culture.
  • Main reason to visit Amsterdam: Boom Clap music video set.

Biography of Charlotte Emma Aitchison

  • Born on August 2, 1992, Cambridge.
  • Only child of Shamir Aitchison (mother) and John Aitchison (father).
  • Ethnic background: Scottish father, Indian-Ugandan mother.
  • Early musical influences: Britney Spears, Spice Girls.
  • Started writing songs at age 14.
  • Used Myspace in 2008, led to warehouse rave performances.
  • Signed with Asylum Records in 2010.

Early Career and Style

  • Started with some iconic vivid and theatrical looks.
  • At 16, expressed interest in underground rave culture.
  • 2012 prominence through collaboration with Icona Pop: international success.
  • Co-written songs for artists: Iggy Azalea, Selena Gomez, Blondie, Shawn Mendes & Camila Cabello.

Evolution of Charlie XCX

  • Diverse experimentation in sounds and looks over the years.
  • Found strong place in Hyperpop genre recently.

Rollout of Brat Album

  • The rollout included creative and controversial strategies.
  • Album cover: Lime acid green with low-res text-only design.
  • Significance: challenge to misogynistic expectations of female pop star visuals.
  • Social commentary: objectification of female bodies in media.
  • Engaged fans in deep conversations regarding the same issue.

Album Promos and Community

  • Album promoted various public installations and performances:
    • Boiler Room DJ set in Bushwick, Brooklyn.
    • Remixes, unexpected TikTok collaborations.
    • Different designs, memes, and community-supported releases.
  • Critically engaged fans.

Songs from Brat Album

360

  • Music video: filled with notable 'It girls'.
  • Theme: omnipresence and cultural influence.

Club Classics

  • Celebration of club music and personal taste.
  • Name-dropping key contemporaries.

Sympathy as a Knife

  • Speculation: possibly discussing Taylor Swift.
  • Themes: insecurity, self-critique.

Rewind

  • Personal reflections on success and insecurities.

So I

  • Tribute to Sophie, includes various references to Sophie's work and collaborations with Charlie.

Girl So Confusing

  • Speculated to be about Lorde.
  • Addressing mixed feelings in relationships.

Talk Talk

  • Inspired by personal romantic experience with her fiancé George.

Apple

  • Reflects on parental traits and generational influences.

Mean Girls

  • Commentary on problematic personalities and stand culture.

I Think About It All The Time

  • Exploration of existential themes, motherhood questions.

365

  • Reference to cyclical themes in Charlie's work.

Hello Goodbye

  • Fun track about themes such as [ ....]* Underwear.

Spring Breakers

  • Critique of the music industry's biases, including Grammy snub commentary.

Conclusion

  • Reflects on the speaker's connection with Charlie's album.
  • Discusses broader relationship to socioeconomic conditions and cultural shifts in pop music.
  • Suggests interest in remix albums featuring artists like Kesha, Taylor Swift, Karly Rae Jepsen, etc.

Additional Video Context

  • Promotional note for products and platforms: Babbel, social media links.
  • Closing comments substantial reflection on personal actions inspired by the album themes.

Note: Themes and speculative details reflect speaker's personal interpretation of Charlie XCX's work and marketing strategies.

Key Points

  • Obsession with Brat Album.
  • Symbolism and deeper meanings in Charlie XCX's works.
  • Unique marketing and promotional tactics.
  • Personal reflections on song themes and lyrics.

Final Notes

  • Engaging marketing underlines Brat's impact.
  • Charlie XCX evolving as a significant pop/Hyperpop artist.
  • Fusion of fun and deeply reflective themes. Beyond just a musical experience, Brat includes a social conversation.

Suggestions to Self & Community

  • Relatability: Reflect on personal connections and leech themes found in Charlie’s musical journey.
  • Musical Influence: Encourage openness to new genres and evolving artist styles.

Recommendation: Explore and engage deeply with Brat, not just for its musical composition but also its cultural and thematic significance.

Additional: Check the sponsorship and other promotional elements suggested by the creator for more engaging content.

[Nichole's Social Handles]

  • Instagram: @nicolerafay
  • TikTok: NikkiNasty
  • Merch and Podcast info included. Regular updates on her work and associating topics shared via social platforms.

_ p.s. Reflect on personal interpersonal relationships influenced and think about reconnections__ — End notes..