Charli XCX's Now-Iconic 'Brat' Album Art Was Done To 'Save Money'

Before brat became synonymous with its own trend (brat summer), Charli XCX didn’t believe that the album would connect with an audience. She certainly didn’t expect the album art – the blurry outline of the word “brat” on a lime green background – to become a cultural phenomenon.

In a new interview with Apple Music’s Zane Lowe, Charli XCX said that the album artwork was designed the way it was for budgetary reasons – she didn’t think brat would become a hit.

“Where the actual first idea of doing a text cover came from was to save money,” the Von Dutch singer began. “I was like, ‘This album is not going to appeal to a lot of people.’”

So, she allocated money elsewhere: “I was like, ‘I think I will do a press shoot, and then maybe we just save on the album cover.’”

Charli revealed that her manager, creative director, and friends told her the album cover was “the stupidest idea ever,” but she saw how it connected with the album’s themes: “It actually feels like it very much embodies the word ‘brat’ to kind of not be there because that is sort of less of the norm, I suppose, for female artists.”

She added, “I knew that a lot of people would be frustrated or disappointed by it. And I think for me, I would rather have those conversations, which actually in some cases became quite explosive, than a picture where people are like, ‘She looks good.’”

You can watch the interview below.

@applemusic

“I was like this album is not going to appeal to a lot of people.” @Charli XCX shares the origin story of BRAT’s iconic text cover. #CharliXCX #BRAT #MusicOnTikTok

♬ original sound - Apple Music

Following the success of brat, the British singer, producer and songwriter has found great critical acclaim and fan adoration, locking in collaborations with Lorde, Billie Eilish, and Troye Sivan and keeping brat summer going.

This Friday (11 October), she’ll drop the remix album, Brat and it’s completely different but also still brat, which stars Robyn, The 1975, Ariana Grande, Julian Casablancas, and more.

This morning, it was officially announced that Charli would headline the 2025 edition of Laneway Festival. Other acts appearing at the festival include Clairo, beabadoobee, Remi Wolf, Eyedress, and Skegss.