Brat by Charli XCX
There are pop culture moments that shape each year, and it would be hard to sum up 2024’s legacy without one word: Brat. Charli XCX’s monumentally successful sixth studio album defined some of the most iconic social media trends, club nights, and memories of the past year.
Von Dutch and 360 are an instant confidence boost and were the first singles released in the build-up to Brat’s anticipated release. From there Charli XCX soared to new levels of commercial success as a result of the album’s fun, honest, and distinctive style, advertised through simplistically genius marketing. Most notably, the viral takeover of ‘Brat summer’ across social media cemented the album’s huge popularity; it was the summer of partying, dress to impress, and screaming ‘BRAT’ at anything neon green.
Even as summer ended, venues across Cardiff and the rest of the UK kept Brat Summer alive. Kings boasted a delicious apple martini amongst a selection of Brat cocktails, whilst Clwb Ifor Bach continues to host brat-inspired club nights. Undoubtedly, the release of the remix album, Brat and its completely different but also still brat, maintained the brat era’s iconic status. Guess featuring Billie Eillish is impossible to not play on repeat, whilst So I featuring A.G Cook is a heartfelt, nostalgia-packed tribute to Charli’s late friend SOPHIE.
The frankness and lyrical simplicity of Brat worked in its favour, an immediate hit album that is both glamorous and relatable.
Words by Isabella Liddle
Satellites by The Script
My favourite band The Script knocked it out of the park with their latest album.
Released five years on from their last proper full-length release (filling that gap with a greatest hits compilation and tour), Satellites marked a new era for the band. After losing founding guitarist Mark Sheehan in April 2023, it was uncertain whether the once-trio would even continue creating music, with Sheehan being dubbed by his band mates as the “leader” of the group, and the mastermind behind some of their biggest songs (Breakeven, The Man Who Can’t Be Moved, etc).
Many were sceptical following the announcement of a new album – single Both Ways seemed a change in direction musically, and was paired with the introduction of two new official band members. Ben Weaver was to be lead guitarist, never trying to take Sheehan’s place, but instead honouring his legacy, and long-time touring and recording bassist Ben Sargent was promoted to full-time member to reinvent the band from their past as a three-piece.
But the album blew any doubts completely out of the water; besides missing those iconic Sheehan solos in the middle of songs, Satellites has something for every fan to cure their feelings of loss, but also to fill that Script-shaped hole in their hearts. From ballads like At Your Feet and the titular song, Satellites (the last song worked on by Sheehan, and you can tell) to power anthems like Gone that commemorate and celebrate their late-guitarist’s life, the new album is certainly an emotional discovery for the group, finding their niche again but exploring every avenue and leaving no stone unturned.
Is it different from their past releases? Of course, nothing can ever remain the same after such a monumental loss. Notably, songs such as Unsaid are the first time Danny O’Donoghue has written with a group of people other than Mark, and it shows through the direction taken within the lyrics. But fan-favourite Home is Where the Hurt is outshines every dubiety, reminiscent of earlier albums and already cementing itself as one of the groups’ best works.
Satellites is a breath of fresh air – for fans, for the band, for the music industry. The Script could not have pulled off a better comeback after such a devastating loss.
Words by Tegan Davies
Wild God by Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds
Continuing to forge his path through grief, joy, religion and love, Nick Cave brought us his revelatory latest album ‘Wild God’ in August. Cave takes our hand and invites us to follow him through these themes, amongst reflections on Sunday mornings (‘Frogs’) and the death of his former bandmate, collaborator and partner Anita Lane (‘O Wow O Wow’).
His storytelling shines through, a familiar method for him to explore these raw subjects. We’re reminded of these abilities immediately in the first song ‘Song of the Lake’, guiding us through a lyrical stroll and allusions to Humpty Dumpty. “Where do we go? Oh nevermind!” – these repeated, proclaiming phrases became new components of Cave’s captivating live presence when he brought his sermon to Cardiff’s Utilita Arena back in November.
The lyric that resonates with me most on ‘Wild God’ is “We’ve all had too much sorrow, now’s the time for joy”. The song it’s contained within – Joy – takes an almost divine tone, horns punctuating his merciful pleading “for joy, for joy, for joy!”. It’s a moment I think we can all relate to, desperation for a glimpse of something wonderful.
Cave seizes music’s transformative power to take us through his own rebirth, but doesn’t hesitate to remind us of death’s lurking presence in the same breath. His awe is palpable and invites us into his narrative world, except here he brings us further into his emotional sphere.
‘Wild God’ was a sacred, much-needed palate cleanser from Cave in the tumultuous times of 2024.
Words by Alice Needham
Charm by Clairo
Clairo’s 2024 album proves that the third time truly is a Charm. It offers a breezy, psychedelic soundscape for those navigating the trials and tribulations of early womanhood, and explores universal feelings of yearning, insecurity, and self-discovery with sophisticated nuance. As a long-time Clairo enthusiast (think clout goggles and niche-meme accounts circa 2018), this album is undoubtedly her strongest and most resonating.
The album’s bookends, “Nomad” and “Pier 4” takes us on a journey from youthful escapism to a mature acceptance of uncertainty and heartbreak. “Nomad” yearns to have never loved at all than to have loved and lost, whereas “Pier 4” encourages the former to reflect on her avoidant way of loving and hopes she can love better in the future. It’s relatable and wildly vulnerable.
The middle tracks all shine in unique ways and delve into different parts of the transition to womanhood from teenhood. To me, “Sexy to Someone” captures the desire for attention, not for intellect or humour, but for physical appearance, which may resonate with BIPOC who attended predominantly-white-institutions; those who don’t fit the “male gaze”; or those who felt like the “DUFF” in their group. “Echo”, an underrated gem, brings a darker vulnerability to the album, pleading for her love to find refuge elsewhere after rejection. Lastly, the famous “Juna” epitomises the all-consuming nature of newfound attraction, which sparked a viral TikTok trend celebrating individuality.
Overall, Charm is an imperfectly perfect indie album that is an ode to Clairo’s maturing audience, validating slowness, romanticism, and messiness. It’s a testament to the vulnerability loving brings and a reminder that these shared experiences connect us all.
Words by Leigha Sanejo
Photo by David Pupaza courtesy of Unsplash. No changes have been made to this image.