A. G. Cook and Finn Keane on what sets Charli XCX apart – and what makes something ‘Brat’
nme.comA. G. Cook and Finn Keane – two of the producers behind Charli XCX’s ‘Brat’ – have spoken to NME about what it was like to work on the album, as well as revealing the thing that sets her apart from everyone else.The two worked alongside Charli and her fiancé – producer, soloist and The 1975 member George Daniel – to create the hit album, which has become a cultural phenomenon since its release back in June.Even ahead of its release, the simple lime green artwork became a meme, and fans on social media quickly embraced the record’s hedonistic aesthetic and attitude.
It has also received support from Kamala Harris (who used it in her US presidential election campaign) and Barack Obama, who included tracks in his summer playlist, as well as many more.In a four-star review of ‘Brat’, NME described the project as “painting a picture of who XCX is in 2024”.“Growing pains, grief and aching doubts come alongside self-confidence, celebration and the knowledge of the place XCX holds in the musical landscape,” it read. “Indeed, she kicks off ‘360’ with the knowing: ‘I went my own way and I made it / I’m your favourite reference baby‘.
With ‘Brat’, XCX demonstrates that going her own way will always sound pretty good.”Now, after being shortlisted for the 2024 Mercury Prize, Cook and Keane caught up with NME on the red carpet, and explained what it was like to work with Charli on the record, as well as explaining what it is about the singer that sets her apart – and if anyone predicted the huge global response.NME: Hi A.
G. Cook and Finn Keane. tell us a bit about what it was like to work on ‘Brat’.A. G. Cook: “This album was very different to work on than pretty much everything else that I’ve taken part in because it was so focused.
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