How These Pop Girls Redefined Summer Music
Hello AMAzing readers!
This summer was filled with lots of sun, palm trees, and groundbreaking pop music. With everyone having a “brat summer” inspired by Charli XCX’s new album, “BRAT,” Sabrina Carpenter and her hit single “Espresso,” and new rising pop icon, Chappell Roan, it’s safe to say that these pop girls have made the best summer pop music that we have seen in a long time. Each of them possesses diverse aesthetics with their music and visuals while also having unique branding strategies to promote their art into the world. This summer proves that they are here to stay! Let’s look deeper into each of their branding strategies and how they redefined summer pop!
Brat Summer
Charli XCX is known for her hit singles like “I Love It” and “Fancy.” However, she rebranded herself in an iconic way. With the announcement of her album “BRAT” releasing at the beginning of summer, fans were most certainly excited. The album cover was unique, to say the least, with a lime green background and basic font in the middle. Even so, the bright color made the time before the release even more enticing. On social media platforms like TikTok, fans would make videos showcasing anything that was lime green and joke about how it was “brat-coded”, which reached millions of individuals. Soon enough, people who weren’t fans tuned in to the release of this album as they had seen “BRAT” everywhere. Fortunately, it was a success! “BRAT” debuted at #3 on billboard charts the day of release. Soon enough, this became the album of the summer. In an interview, Charli XCX explained the meaning of a “brat summer” and how it’s all about embracing your true self. It’s about going through downs but getting through it and having fun while you’re at it. This substantial example of color theory shows how audiences associate a color with the brand that uses that color in their marketing. Now, every time people see anything lime green, they will most certainly think of brat summer.
Short n’ Sweet
One of the most beloved pop girls, Sabrina Carpenter, has been a rising success. While she is not new to the industry, songs from her previous album “emails i can’t send” were becoming a hit on social media. Her success wouldn’t have come as close to where it is now if it wasn’t for her authenticity. While she expresses her authenticity through her music, Carpenter does not shy away from it during interviews and live performances. Fans would record her “Nonsense” outros on tour which she changed depending on the state or country she was performing in. This immediately attracted individuals on social media as she didn’t shy away from risqué themes. This authentic approach as an overall artist helped pave her way higher in the industry and attract new fans who loved her for being true to herself. Because of this, the release of “Espresso” back in April became a hit. The catchy beat, creative music video, and flirty lyrics were exactly the way Sabrina branded herself to be as an artist – fun, relatable, and confident. “Espresso” hit #1 on the Billboard charts making this the theme song of summer 2024, following the release of her sixth studio album “Short n’ Sweet.”
The Midwest Princess
Chappell Roan, the newly adored pop girl, has already made history this summer despite becoming popular not too long ago. While she has recently become a pop sensation following the release of her hit single “Good Luck, Babe!”, she has been in the industry for a little over a decade. In interviews, she mentioned how there were a lot of highs and lows. At one point, she almost gave up on music altogether until she decided to give it one last chance. Luckily, she did! Her debut album “The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess” became a sensation this summer despite it being released in September of last year. Singles like “HOT TO GO!” and “Pink Pony Club” were adored by fans and non-fans alike. Soon enough, Chappell started to build a community through her music and art. Roan opened up about how drag queens have inspired her heavily with her fashion and makeup onstage. While she throws a vintage twist to her artist aesthetic, she never fails to thank the LGBTQ+ community for continuing to inspire and support her. As a queer artist herself, she does not only celebrate the queer community through her music, but she is highly active on socials about LGBTQ+ rights. Roan has even partnered up with fundraisers and encouraged fans to support the cause. While her artistry and “pink cowboy” fashion make her stand out amongst the rest, the community she’s built within her art and her persona has made her the new pop princess this summer.
Many people have stated that “pop music is back” over this summer. Thanks to Charli XCX’s use of her lime green aesthetic, Sabrina Carpenter’s authenticity on the stage and in the studio, and Chappell Roan’s fashion and community, these talented women have made the summer of 2024 memorable through their unique branding.
