2024 was for the revival of electronic and dance music. The works of John Summit and Dom Dolla experienced high praise, but the one artist that dominated the genre’s comeback last year was Charli XCX.  Her Grammy-nominated album BRAT,  not only created a trend for 

the summer of 2024, but it transitioned the music industry in a way where the boundaries between pop and electronic dance have blurred and have captivated audiences from all around the world. Charli’s sixth studio album allows a perfect segway for the domination of synth-pop in 2025. 

BRAT  was released on June 7, 2024, but it has not fallen short of its popularity entering 2025. The remix album, Brat but It’s Completely Different but Also Still Brat, consists of perfectly constructed remixes with star-studded features such as Ariana Grande, Troye Sivan, Billie Eilish and Lorde. 

While this album is full of popular names and radio hits, the songs display much more than that. The album gives us  an open look into Charli’s life through her lyrics, while also creating an aspect of reliability through bluntness. Her crazy lifestyle conflicts with her desire, and her insecurities conflict with her personality. In an interview with Rolling Stone, she said that she feels like she is “saying things that [she] would say in private to friends.” 

The confessional lyrics of “I think about it all the time,” where Charli reflects on her thoughts and feelings about her future, especially motherhood, represent a personal connection that many women can relate to.  In the chorus she says, “Would it make me miss all my freedom?” and “I think about it all the time / That I might run out of time.” This song allows an emotional connection between Charli and her listeners, emphasizing the contemplation of this significant life choice overshadowing many in their outlook on the future. 

Charli’s experimental music and the contrast of the mainstream aesthetic both have contributed to why BRAT  has acquired such fame, and how it helped the popularity of electronic music. As the album contrasts the clean aesthetic that has been followed all over social media, it allows for more diversity and fun within the music industry. Charli did something that differed from releases like The Tortured Poets Department or Short n’ Sweet; she unapologetically embraced a raw and chaotic approach, pushing the boundaries of pop. 

While the album portrays a tender outlook on life and gives a sense of promise, it also offers fun, upbeat songs that serve as a perfect illustration as to why EDM music is a crucial part of the industry going into 2025. “Club classics” and “Talk talk,” especially the remixes with Bb trickz and Troye Sivan, are both lighthearted songs. The perfectly curated beats help make the album an easy listen and it provides a gateway into EDM music while still being in the pop world. 

The marketing of this album also contributed to the revival of EDM and it began to familiarize audiences with the world of synth-pop instead of the repeated mainstream pop albums. One key aspect within this were Charli’s pop-up shows and the Sweat Tour, where Charli co-headlined with Troye Sivan in support of their albums.

Not only were the nonstop party vibes and club energy displayed throughout the tour, but Charli also put on pop-up performances that only heightened the rave aesthetic of her album. She had a performance in the middle of Times Square sponsored by H&M that drew quite an audience for a 15-minute set.

BRAT  is more than just a critically acclaimed album; it is a cultural shift towards the rise of EDM in the 21st century that has redefined the trajectory of the music industry moving forward.