There were lime-green tube tops, lime-green beanies, lime-green hoodies and cowboy hats and sunglasses and at least one lime-green mesh vest like something an especially with-it street paver might wear. But even those not dressed in the glaring color of Charli XCX’s glaring new album,
#Brat , were showing their devotion to the English pop singer this month, shouting along with every word as she performed all 15 of the album’s tracks for a capacity crowd vibrating with excitement at the Shrine Expo Hall in Los Angeles.
@charli_xcx ’s sudden ascent is just one of several we’re seeing this summer, including
@sabrinacarpenter and
@chappellroan , both of whom are putting up huge numbers after years of work in the trenches of pop music.
So why now for these women — and in a year crowded with activity, no less, by veteran A-listers like Taylor Swift, Beyoncé and Billie Eilish? The Times’ pop music critic has your answers and talks with industry insiders at the link in
@latimes_entertainment ’s bio.
📸 Andy Kropa, Evan Agostini and Amy Harris / Invision / Associated Press; Lexie Moreland / WWD via Getty Images;
@therealchristinahouse / Los Angeles Times;
@ginaferazzi / Los Angeles Times