When folks began to declare that “Brat Summer” had come to a close, Charli XCX dropped the “Guess” remix with Billie Eilish, only heightening her impact and notoriety in the pop scene.
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“Guess” – Charli XCX ft. Billie Eilish
Pop music has been undergoing a profound rebirth and renaissance over the past year, Charli XCX assuredly one of the primary icons to lead its movement.
BRAT has permeated its way into endless pockets of pop culture, from the viral TikTok dance born from the track “Apple” to publicly delving into the complexities of girlhood with fellow artist Lorde on the “Girl, so confusing” remix.
Just when a variety of publications started claiming that “Brat Summer” was “dead” and “over,” Charli dropped the “Guess” remix with Billie Eilish, taking an already a fan favorite track and spreading its influence by collaborating with one of modern music’s most renowned and iconic superstars.
“Guess” was initially released on the deluxe version of BRAT, titled Brat and it’s the same but there’s three more songs so it’s not. The title of the deluxe showcases why the release of her sixth studio album has been as successful as it is. She’s not taking herself too seriously in both her lyricism and marketing of the album, a refreshing approach compared to other more composed methods of promotion for a music release.
All of these elements lend themselves to the messy party girl aesthetic she’s embodied. Looping Billie Eilish into the mix on the “Guess” remix only adds to the imprint she’s making on this particular era of music. A song about seduction, intimacy, and ultimately privacy, Eilish was a distinctly appealing choice for a collaborator on this track.
My intrigue and excitement wasn’t without its concern after Charli announced the “Guess” remix with Eilish.
“Guess” is a punchy and energetic track, the production serving as a springboard for Charli’s strong delivery of the lyrics throughout. While Billie Eilish has certainly proven that she’s much more capable than the “whisper singing” that critics have accused her of, her vocal style isn’t one that would typically mesh well with a club track, especially one as frenetic and chaotic as “Guess.” The remix’s strength lies in its lyrical changes.
(Charli)
Try it, bite it, lick it, spit it
Pull it to the side and get all up in it
Wear ‘em, post ‘em, might remix it
Eat it up for lunch, yeah, it’s so delicious
Direct callouts to Eilish’s song “Lunch” exemplify just how much Charli excels in writing lyrics and melodies that not only are effortlessly singable but also just innately fun. She’s a tastemaker, well aware of what fans of hers would want to hear on a collaboration between the two. Billie’s verse is just as memorable.
(Billie)
Don’t have to guess the
color of your underwear
Already know what you got
going on down there
The lyric in the initial release of “Guess” went, “You wanna guess the color of my underwear, you wanna know what I got going on down there,” the remix’s switch up clear, but not trite.
Charli’s BRAT remixes with other artists transcend mere additions, deviating from the path of traditional features.
They see the two on the track in direct conversation with one another, making for a strikingly entertaining listening experience. Charli did the same with Lorde on the “Girl, so confusing” remix, the two speaking directly to each other through their respective verses. While this dynamic is present and effective on the “Guess” remix, the first half of Billie’s verse feels like she’s trying to keep up with the production. There’s so much going on in terms of sonics that Billie’s vocal delivery can feel out of place at times. Once the production quiets down on the second half of her verse, things feel much more natural, Billie delivering one of the remix’s most head-turning lines.
(Billie)
I wanna try it, bite it, lick it, spit it,
Pull it to the side and get all up in it
Kiss it, bite it, can I fit it?
Charli likes boys, but she knows I’d hit it
(knows I’d hit)
Charli, call me if you’re with it
This kind of raunchy and lustful lyricism is a part of what makes BRAT as successful as it is; Billie certainly didn’t disappoint in the writing department. The last 30 seconds of the song where Charli and Billie play catch between their voices by singing the title of the track back and forth is electrifying, the collaboration making perfect sense in these final moments of the song.
The “Guess” remix with Billie Eilish is only solidifying the significance that Charli XCX has had in her contributions to the pop genre.
It takes a track that was already plenty entertaining and increases its draw through Billie’s sensual voice and lyricism. While there are moments that don’t quite live up to the polish of the source material, it’d be foolish to say that the collaboration isn’t one that will strengthen BRAT’s impact, lifespan, and replayability. Charli has confirmed that more remixes are on the way, this release only a potential teaser for what’s to come.
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“Guess” – Charli XCX ft. Billie Eilish
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© Terrence O’Connor
© Terrence O’Connor
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