Following a highly successful festival tour, Charli XCX now faces her critics. She considers this shift in public perception significant and takes it seriously.
“Honestly, I welcome the discussion. The best art is polarizing and provocative,” states Charli XCX. The hyperpop icon isn’t pleasing everyone, despite her global popularity. After a year of international acclaim for her album Brat, her recent performance at Glastonbury didn’t win over everyone, leaving her somewhat affected by the criticism. Her special Brat set featured eagerly anticipated acts, from the rain effects during Track 10 to selecting a fan to join her dance routine in Apple.
The album has sold over 50,000 copies and received a rating of 8.6 from Pitchfork, with singles going viral, marking Brat as the almost unanimous summer album of the year 2024. While The Guardian praised the pop star’s Glastonbury set in her home country, and the BBC showcased clips of her performance, some viewers expressed their discontent.
Sharp Criticism
The main complaints? An overuse of autotune, a staple in her music for a decade, and a “horrible” performance. Charli XCX responded on X, where most of the feedback was posted: “I’m actually really fascinated by the boomer vibe in the comments about my Glastonbury performance. It’s intriguing.”
She then defended her approach: “The idea that singing with autotune deliberately makes you a fraud or that performing without a band immediately means you’re not a ‘real’ artist is, like, the most boring opinion ever. I’m yawning, sorry, it put me to sleep.”
Brat Forever
The artist still sees the positive side: if her music sparks discussions, it means it’s interesting and innovative enough to make an impact. “The best art divides and provokes and often evolves into a truly interesting cultural element, rather than just being nice, easily understandable, and forgettable,” she explains. Indeed, more than a year after its release, the album remains fresh and engaging. A concert tour and selective promotion followed by a festival tour have turned her eighth album into a legend, a new hope for contemporary pop.
This myth is something Charli XCX wants to continue building on. Last April, she confessed on TikTok that she struggles to detach from an album that has become a part of her, and the end of her festival set confirms that “Brat is forever.” Her journey will conclude on August 15 in South Korea at One Universe; we’ll let Charli XCX lead us into what comes next.
Hi, I’m Tyler from the Decatur Metro team. I help you discover trends and emerging talents in the local music scene.
