Michael's Cut

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(6/21: I’m writing amidst both drafting my Brat review and moving out, the latter making it incredibly difficult to set aside time to research, write, and edit. Many times during this year, I doubted my ability to consistently draft and post my work because of everything that life has thrown so far. However, in a field where your passion for music triumphs over whatever the fuck’s going on right now, artists like Charli XCX make me want to write a one-off for the hell of it (I’m not finishing that Brat review anytime soon, so consider this a warmup).)

A three-minute call across the transoceanic hotline sparks the speculations of a decade-old rivalry’s end. “Girl, So Confusing” narrates the Cambridge-born star’s unrequited friendship with an unknown woman (*don’t read the title*). Her mouth gargles while singing “girl,” watery from the processing, and she wages a white flag against the complicated feelings that friendships yield. Arguments about autotune cheapening the human voice remain irrelevant: XCX easily undresses her emotions regardless of a machine, and the electro-clash influence paves way for a diary-like framework. Parallels about the girls’ hair types, looks, and positions in the music industry all gateway to competition and jealousy, as XCX pinpoints. But instead of perpetuating public assumption, she channels empathy: “And you can’t tell what you’re feeling / I think I know how you feel.”

The first chorus finished; the other girl finally responds. An iconic “let’s work it out on the remix” line introduces Lorde usurping the second verse with the same confessionalism driving Brat. Auto-tune delicately charges her introversion. And self-awareness’ channeled so effortlessly, she must’ve wrote her verse in a matter of hours. The initial second pre-chorus clashes against the “Royals” singer, okay with her failures if the thought’s mutual – and she agrees. Lorde rattles “bitch,” a shock wave to the chest, while synths, both sugary and bombilating, amplify the latter half. Body confidence, envy, and misunderstanding also come into play, and we’re reminded that the perspectives in a friendship can never be understated (it turns out she was jealous of XCX!). However, beyond the drama reveals two girls thriving in a scene attempting to gut their careers and confidence, “the coin [that] the industry loves to spend.” The last reprises send off both musicians singing side by side, throwing their hands up at a party, writing poetry by the nook together. The digital world already went crazy for Brat, so let’s see the shakeup towards this ‘10s pop culture conclusion: “‘cause I ride for you, Charli,” and the club glistens under the strobe light once again.

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