Everything But The Girl’s Tracey Thorn recently shared her thoughts on Charli XCX’s London concert at The O2, calling the pop star the “artist of the moment” and her album Brat the “album of the year.”
In her review for The New Statesman, Thorn described the show’s chaotic yet euphoric energy, saying, “ it was chaotic, euphoric, a bit messy, a bit frantic and drunkenly tearful.”
Reflecting on her age, Thorn posed the question: “Am I too old to like Charli XCX?” Despite her initial doubts, she found a sense of universality in Charli’s music. “I also love music that makes me feel young, or reminds me what it felt like to be young. This year, I have really loved Charli’s album ‘Brat’, but in terms of it making me feel young, I wonder, how young do I mean?”
Thorn praised Brat for its ability to channel raw emotion and rave culture into a pop masterpiece, likening its themes to Everything But The Girl’s iconic hit Missing. She noted both songs’ focus on transitional life moments — where nostalgia and self-discovery collide.
At the show, Thorn dodged viral TikTok choreography but appreciated the casual, authentic energy, especially seeing Charli’s boyfriend George attempt the "Apple" dance. “We see some brief video of Charli’s boyfriend George in the crowd, trying to do the dance but getting it a bit wrong and laughing. Which is of course much more ‘Brat’ than coerced audience participation.”
Summing up her experience, Thorn called the concert a triumphant celebration of creativity, youth, and connection. “The gig didn’t make me feel young, but it made me feel alive, and I’ll take that, thanks.”
Charli XCX’s Brat, her sixth studio album, has been hailed as a defining work, blending club beats with introspective lyrics and topped off with a bold lime green cover.
Photo: Mike Marsland/WireImage, Joseph Okpako/WireImage
