Album Review: Brat and it’s completely different but also still brat

Remix albums are usually a hit or miss for me, but Brat and it's completelu different but also still brat might be the best remix album of all time. From a variety of different featuring artists to completely original tracks, Charli XCX is doing it right. Although Brat Summer is officially over, I'm still holding on to the early 2000s neon green aesthetic through the remix album. Here are my thoughts on each of the remix tracks and whether I like them better than the original.

(Photo: Brat and it's completely different but also still brat Cover Art)

360 featuring Robyn and Yung Lean 

Although I like how this track fits in with the rest of the remix album, I think that the original is better. Charli XCX and Robyn's verses are fun but I feel like the chorus was a letdown. I also wish Yung Lean brought more energy to the track. The best part of this version was the hook, but overall this is my least favorite remix track because of how much it takes away from the original.

Club classics featuring Bb tricks 

I think this version of Club Classics is better than the original because I love the vibes Bb Trickz's verse adds to the song. The original is a bit too repetitive for me and the build-up at the end of the remix fits into the brat concept so well. I think this definitely would've been a stronger start to the remix album than the remix version of 360.

Sympathy is a knife featuring Ariana Grande 

Ariana Grande's soft vocals pair really well with Charli XCX's new verses. I think this version expressed the metaphor "Sympathy is a knife" better than the original and improves the track overall. I think Ariana Grande was a great choice for this remix and made a great addition to brat.

I Might Say Something Stupid featuring the 1975 & Jon Hopkins

Compared to the rest of the album, this song gave me whiplash. I wasn’t expecting such an emotional ballad to be squished between back-to-back EDM songs. I liked the second half of the song best and wish the majority of the song had that vibe. That being said, I think I like the original track better. 

Talk Talk featuring Troye Sivan 

Troy Sivan’s verse in Talk Talk has been stuck in my head for at least a week. I can easily say I like this version better than the original. The new verses were perfect for Sweat Tour and complimented both artist's styles very well. If this remix was released last summer, it definitely would've had a chokehold on me.

Von Dutch a.g. Cook remix featuring Addison Rae 

Addison Rae’s verse in Von Dutch took a while to grow on me, but I think her softer voice adds depth to the song and pairs well with Charli XCX’s. I think the remix is catchier than the original and has an early 2000s vibe that fits in very well with the brat concept. Addison Rae’s scream and the outro make the song more fun and bratty overall. I find this version better than the original. 

Everything is Romantic featuring Caroline Polachek 

This song also gave me whiplash because it’s an abrupt change from the club vibe of the previous two tracks. Unlike I might say something stupid, I think Everything Is Romantic fits in with the rest of the album. I love that this song is about platonic love and carries a heartfelt message. Caroline Polachek’s vocals add so much to this song, making it one of my favorite remixes on the album. It’s hard to compare this to the original track because they’re both very different, so I think I like both the same amount.

Rewind featuring Bladee

Many of my friends told me that this was their least favorite remix on the album, so I braced myself before listening to it. I think Bladee’s part totally came out of the blue and it’ll probably take a few listens for it to really sink in. I like how two different styles came together in this song, but overall I like the original Rewind better.

So I featuring a.g. cook 

This song made me cry. The nostalgic vibe shows a new lens on grief, making it a really beautiful tribute to Charli XCX's producer Sophie who passed away three years ago. I love how many different layers Charli XCX adds to her music, especially when she illustrates different angles on emotions. I like how this version of So I is so special and vulnerable. 

Girl, So Confusing featuring Lorde

This collaboration is beyond iconic. From “Let’s work it out on the remix” to Lorde's verse (which also made me cry), Charli XCX and Lorde made music history. I like how raw the lyrics are and how they talk about rising above your insecurities. This is easily one of the best remixes on the entire album.

Apple featuring Japanese House 

Apple was already severely overplayed for me because of how popular it was on TikTok and on the Roblox game Dress to Impress. I love Japanese House and I think they added a magical vibe to the album. That being said, I wish the backtrack wasn’t Apple and that this was just a bonus track. 

B2b featuring Tinashe 

I’ve only listened to this song twice but it’s already engraved in my brain. I love the R&B/pop that Tinashe adds to the track and Charli XCX’s line in French. This version is so addictive and will definitely be a regular in my playlist. I like this version more than the original.

Mean Girls featuring Julian Casablancas 

Seeing Julian Casablancas from The Strokes on the remix album surprised me so much. I like how both artists’ styles blend while still staying true to themselves. Charli XCX’s softer vocals sounded amazing. Overall, I think this version is better than the original because it feels more genuine and adds new depth to the brat aesthetic as a whole.

I Think About It All the Time featuring Bon Iver 

Bon Iver was another name I was surprised to see on the remix album. The lyrics are relatable and the vocals are heartfelt. The placement also feels right, almost like a melancholic and vulnerable close to brat summer. I liked both the remix and the original because of the raw emotion in both versions.

365 featuring Shygirl 

Again I suffered whiplash from the emotional songs to the club anthem of the century. This remix of 365 had everything that the remix of 360 lacked. The sped-up lyrics and Shygirl’s rap is pure adrenaline. My only criticism is that I wish the song was longer, hopefully, they’ll release an extended version sometime soon!

Guess featuring Billie Eilish

Honestly, I don’t think this song will ever get old. Billie Eilish’s verse makes this one of the best tracks on the remix album. My favorite part is the end where Billie Eilish and Charli XCX sing back and forth. Overall, one of my favorite songs by both artists.