Charli XCX has shared her manifesto for her chart-topping album Brat

The hitmaker questioned why fans feel “ownership over female artists” so much so that they demand their photograph be on all of their work, and admitted that she intended for the Brat art to be a bit “offensive.” Charli XCX’s Brat was by far and away the pop culture movement of 2024. The viral, Grammy-nominated album inspired a lime-green wave of listeners leaning into the bold, playful, and sometimes chaotic confidence that comes with knowing — and owning — who you are. Even the album cover’s minimal but iconic artwork speaks to a desire to be disarmingly real. “Where the actual first idea of doing a text cover came from was to save money,” Charli told Apple Music’s Zane Lowe, adding her delight at the “punchy” vibe of it all. In a recent interview with Billboard, the “360” singer and her creative director explained the process behind the album cover.

The ‘Apple’ hitmaker has shared her manifesto for the album of the year on her private Instagram account and how she planned to dominate the charts and pop culture. Designer Brent David Freaney is sharing the inspiration behind Charli XCX‘s viral cover art for her celebrated breakthrough album, Brat – and the months-long process it took to perfect it. The pygmy hippopotamus with enviably dewy skin captured hearts in 2024. But where many of Moo Deng’s predecessors were loved for being cute and cuddly, she caught on for having a little bit of an attitude. Whether nipping at her caregivers or resisting bathtime, Moo Deng has embodied a saucy independent streak that’s total brat-hood.

There’s no denying that controversy sells, and Charli XCX is well aware of this. The “Brat” album cover, with its divisive aesthetic, has sparked discussions and debates online. Some love it, some hate it, but everyone is talking about it—and that’s precisely the point. By opting for a design that clashes with conventional beauty standards, Charli is making a bold statement. The artwork, which features distorted images, clashing colors, and seemingly random elements, forces the viewer to reconsider what album art can be. It’s a direct challenge to the idea that art must be conventionally attractive to be impactful.

Using your own straps, the V-Loops allow you to make a shoelace type strapping, providing all the tie-down points you could want. Double material and double stitch seams at all stress points means the brat is built to last. Whether you’re looking for a simple and elegant case or something more vibrant and colorful, we have a range of designs to suit your taste. Our cases are compatible with a wide range of phone models, so you can find the perfect fit for your device. Discomfort has always been a tool in modern art and design – it evokes emotion and encourages people to think beyond the standard norms.

Lime green is still very much having a moment, and you can thank Charli XCX’s hit album, “brat charli xcx generator,” for that. Donald Trump took the stage at his campaign watch party in West Palm Beach, Florida, and was met with loud cheers. The president addressed Americans from the White House for the first time since Donald Trump’s election victory.

Then the day before the record came out, I left her a voice note. [Lorde] replied straight away and was like, ‘Oh, my God, I had no idea you felt this way. I’m so sorry.’ And then was like, ‘You know, maybe I should be on a version of the song.’ I didn’t even ask her. Despite Crash being Charli’s open bid for mainstream approval, it turned out her “no compromise” record brat generator would be far more successful commercially.