The Soundtrack of Summer

Charli XCX has been a semi-popular electronic and pop music artist for many years and has had hits including “Boom Clap” and  “I Love It” (which she did with Icona Pop). She became hugely popular and mainstream over the summer with her album BRAT. The album includes hits like “360,” “Apple” and “Von Dutch.” BRAT is a high-energy dance album that explores themes of girlhood, self-doubt, and confidence; the songs are chaotic but fun, messy but carefree. Many fans loved this energy, so they coined the term “brat summer” to epitomize the messy, party-girl aesthetic and the feeling of embracing chaos. Brat summer quickly became a pop culture phenomenon. Charli XCX also released remixes of some of BRAT’s tracks featuring popular artists – including robyn, Lorde, and Billie Eilish – that immediately went viral. When the album came out, Charli XCX wrote: “At the end of the day, that’s exactly what brat is all about: me, my flaws, my f*ck ups, my ego all rolled into one.” BRAT has quickly become an iconic and influential album.

HIT ME HARD AND SOFT, Billie Eilish’s third studio album, was immediately successful, as has come to be expected from the singer. However, HIT ME HARD AND SOFT is slightly different from her previous work. It features distinctively “Billie Eilish” tracks with soft vocals, melodic beats, and dark lyrics (“BLUE,” “THE DINER”), but it also has fresh and original songs that are different from anything she’s ever released (“LUNCH,” “BIRDS OF A FEATHER”). HIT ME HARD AND SOFT is autobiographical — it’s a reflection on loss, love, lust, and womanhood. Unsurprisingly, half the of the album’s  became viral hits, especially “BIRDS OF A FEATHER” and “LUNCH”, and the album reached No. 2 on the Billboard charts.

Sabrina Carpenter took the world by storm in April when she released Short n’ Sweet’s first single, “Espresso,” a bright and catchy pop song. The song immediately blew up on social media and hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. To do this once is impressive, but Carpenter did it twice in two months with her second single “Please Please Please,” which also hit No. 1 and soared in popularity. The “Please Please Please” music video went viral, as it featured her boyfriend, well-known actor Barry Keoghan. With these two songs, Carpenter quickly became one of the biggest artists in the country. Many also adore her sense of style, and the “Sabrina Carpenter” look – including her signature blonde blowout and makeup –  has become popular. In Short n’ Sweet, Carpenter uses her humor and wit to describe relationships. She explores themes of betrayal and revenge on some tracks, but on others, she taps into the fun and romance of a new relationship.

Chappell Roan has been releasing music since 2017, but she switched up her music style drastically in 2020, wanting to make a happier sound. Roan created a unique, poppy music style (influenced by ’80s synth-pop) and paired it with strong vocals and bold lyrics. In 2023 she released her debut album, The Rise And Fall Of A Midwest Princess. Roan didn’t reach mainstream popularity until 2024, when she opened for Olivia Rodrigo on the GUTS tour. In April, Roan released “Good Luck, Babe!” a queer pop anthem with her distinct ’80s synth style, witty lyrics, and powerful vocals. When she performed the brand new song at Coachella, Roan became a phenomenon on social media, introducing many people to her full discography. Her album hit No. 2 on The Billboard 200, and “Good Luck, Babe!”, along with songs like “HOT TO GO!”, “Red Wine Supernova” and “Pink Pony Club,” went viral. One of the things that makes Roan stand out among current pop artists is not only her theatrical and vibrant music and style but also her honest and personal lyrics with which many fans can connect. She writes and sings about her experiences with love, lust, and heartbreak as a lesbian, and she has a bold stage style heavily inspired by drag.