C,XOXO explained

C,XOXO
Type:studio
Artist:Camila Cabello
Cover:Camila Cabello - C,XOXO.png
Alt:A young woman with long bleached hair and make-up looks at the camera with her mouth open and tongue blue from licking a lollipop.
Recorded:2023–2024
Genre:
Length:32:23
Label:
Producer:
Prev Title:Familia
Prev Year:2022

C,XOXO is the fourth studio album by American singer Camila Cabello. It was released on June 28, 2024, through Geffen and Interscope Records. It is her first album following her departure from Epic Records.

The album was preceded by the release of the singles "I Luv It" with Playboi Carti, which peaked at number 81 on the Billboard Hot 100[1] and "He Knows" with Lil Nas X, as well as the promotional single "Chanel No. 5". Following the album's release, "Hot Uptown" featuring Drake was released as the third single.

Background

In September 2022, following the release of Cabello's third album, Familia in April of the same year, it was announced she had departed from Epic Records and signed to Universal Music Group's label, Interscope Records.[2]

Cabello appeared in an interview by Alexandra Cooper of Call Her Daddy, where she revealed her album is "really sitting in the discomfort of things and realizing there's not gonna be a neat, in-a-box answer. I feel strong in these ways, weak in these ways, and there's no real clear answer here. But the album process has been such a journey. It started out with me having that intention of going back to how it started for me, which was just sitting with myself and really getting back to that first passion of songwriting. Nerding out over references and artists and poetry—whatever—and really tapping into that."[3]

In an interview with Apple Music's Zane Lowe, Cabello described the album's sonic departure from her previous works, crediting Pablo "El Guincho" Díaz-Reixa and Jasper Harris with assisting her in the departure. She revealed: "I do feel like I'm a weirdo, and that's the music that I love, and that's the music that I feel the most proud of making. I think a lot of times it comes to finding people that are weirdos too, and Jasper's a weirdo, Guincho's a weirdo, and I think the three of us were able to just keep it in this bubble of like, we don't give a fuck, and we're just going to do what we think is fire."[4]

Music and lyrics

C,XOXO is a pop record with elements of hyperpop, hip-hop, avant-pop, and alt-pop.[5] [6] The album opens with the lead single "I Luv It," with rapper Playboi Carti. This track combines a hip-hop beat with hyperpop elements.[7] "Chanel No.5," the album's promotional single, features R&B-inspired vocals and minimalist production.[6] "He Knows," with Lil Nas X, combines hip-hop with dance influences.[5] "Hot Uptown," featuring Drake, has been described as having a danceable beat and infectious melody.[8]

The album explores themes of love, self-discovery, and empowerment, reflecting Cabello's personal experiences.[9] According to SiriusXM, Cabello described the album as having "Miami baddie energy" and noted that it contains "things that you haven't heard from [her] before" and moments that are sonically and lyrically unique.[7]

Release and promotion

Singles

"I Luv It", with rapper Playboi Carti, was released as the album's lead single on March 27, 2024.[10] The song debuted and peaked at 81 on the US Billboard Hot 100.[11] "He Knows", with rapper Lil Nas X, was released as the album's second single on May 10,[12] while "Chanel No. 5" was released as the album's first promotional single on June 21.[13] "Hot Uptown", featuring Canadian rapper Drake, impacted US contemporary hit radio as the album's third single on June 28, 2024.[14]

Live performances

On April 19, 2024, Cabello appeared as a surprise performer during Lana Del Rey's set at Coachella; they both performed "I Luv It" together.[15] On June 23, Cabello performed her first full concert in two years at Rock in Rio Lisboa, live debuting several songs from the album.[16] She also performed on the Other Stage at the 2024 Glastonbury Festival.

Critical reception

According to the review aggregator Metacritic, C,XOXO received "generally favorable reviews" based on a weighted average score of 64 out of 100 from 11 critic scores.

Commentary on the album largely focused on Cabello's shift in sound. Writing for The Guardian, Alexis Petridis opined that the album's direction compared to Cabello's earlier discography was "pretty radical to the point of being occasionally baffling". He concluded that Cabello "often sounds slightly uncomfortable" and that she "feels like a guest on her own album" due to the prominence of its featured artists.

In Rolling Stone, Maura Johnston noted that Cabello embraces a "weirdo" persona, describing the album as an experimental departure from her previous work. NME reviewer Nick Levine highlighted the album's "party girl rebrand" and described its songs as "scrappy, intriguing earworms".

Harry Tafoya of Pitchfork gave the album a 6.9 out of 10, noting its mix of genres and its sonic variety.[17] Slant Magazine reviewer Paul Attard criticized the album for "mistaking mimicry for mastery", giving it 2 out of 5 stars.

James Mellen from Clash rated the album 7 out of 10, appreciating its boldness and the departure from Cabello's earlier pop sound. Sputnikmusic gave it 4 out of 5, praising its innovation and execution.[18]

Commercial performance

In the United States, C,XOXO debuted at number thirteen on the US Billboard 200 earning 36,500 album-equivalent units.[19] It reached the top-ten in Portugal and Spain.

Track listing

Notes

Personnel

Musicians

Technical

Charts

Chart (2024)! scope="col"
Peak
position
Japanese Digital Albums (Oricon)[20] 43
Japanese Hot Albums (Billboard Japan)[21] 84

Notes and References

  1. Horowitz . Steven J. . Camila Cabello Announces Release Date for New Album C, XOXO . . . May 6, 2024 . https://archive.today/20240508155919/https://variety.com/2024/music/news/camila-cabello-c-xoxo-release-date-1235993107/ . May 8, 2024 . United States . 0042-2738 . 60626328 . May 6, 2024 . live.
  2. Garcia . Thania . Camila Cabello Signs with Interscope Records (EXCLUSIVE) . . . May 8, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220921214953/https://variety.com/2022/music/news/camila-cabello-record-deal-interscope-epic-1235379455/ . September 21, 2022 . United States . 0042-2738 . 60626328 . September 21, 2022 . live.
  3. Paul . Larisha . Camila Cabello Details New Album C, XOXO . . . May 6, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240506170110/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/camila-cabello-announces-album-cxoxo-1235015783/ . May 6, 2024 . United States . 0035-791X . 969027590 . May 6, 2024 . live.
  4. Irvin . Jack . Camila Cabello Unveils Title, Cover Artwork and Release Date for Upcoming Fourth Album C, XOXO . . . May 6, 2024 . https://archive.today/20240508155144/https://people.com/camila-cabello-cxoxo-fourth-album-cover-release-date-8644095 . May 8, 2024 . United States . 0093-7673 . 794712888 . en . May 6, 2024 . live.
  5. Web site: Staff . Camila Cabello: C,XOXO Album Review . AllMusic . June 28, 2024.
  6. Web site: Murray . Robin . Camila Cabello Announces New Album 'C, XOXO' . Clash . May 7, 2024 . June 28, 2024.
  7. Web site: Kolgraf . Jackie . Camila Cabello Describes 'C,XOXO' as Miami Baddie Energy . SiriusXM . May 13, 2024 . June 28, 2024.
  8. Web site: Thomas . Sarah . Camila Cabello and Drake Heat Up the Charts with 'Hot Uptown' . Variety . June 28, 2024.
  9. Web site: Singh Sisodia . Upendra . Camila Cabello Discloses Details of Upcoming New Album 'C, XOXO' . Siachen Studios . May 6, 2024 . June 28, 2024.
  10. Mier . Tomás . 2024-03-27 . Camila Cabello Drops Long-Teased Single 'I Luv It' Featuring Playboi Carti . 2024-06-27 . . en-US.
  11. Camila Cabello Chart History (Hot 100) . 2024-06-27 . . en-US.
  12. Aniftos . Rania . 2024-05-10 . Camila Cabello & Lil Nas X Team Up for High-Energy Collaboration 'He Knows': Stream It Now . 2024-06-27 . . en-US.
  13. Mier . Tomás . 2024-06-21 . Camila Cabello Shares 'Sensual' Taste of 'C, XOXO' With 'Chanel No. 5' . 2024-06-27 . . en-US.
  14. June 28, 2024 . Hot New Releases . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240628181325/https://hitsdailydouble.com/pop_mart&id=341754&title=HOT-NEW-RELEASES . June 28, 2024 . June 28, 2024 . Hits Daily Double.
  15. Web site: Irvin . Jack . April 22, 2024 . Camila Cabello Says Lana Del Rey Is 'Disarmingly Sweet' After Joining Her for 'I Luv It' at Coachella 2024 . 2024-06-27 . . en.
  16. Paul . Larisha . 2024-06-24 . Camila Cabello Previews New Album 'C, XOXO' With Live Song Debuts at Rock in Rio . 2024-06-27 . . en-US.
  17. Web site: Tafoya. Harry. June 28, 2024. Camila Cabello: C,XOXO Album Review. Pitchfork. June 28, 2024.
  18. Web site: Sowing . 2024-06-29 . Review: Camila Cabello - C, XOXO . 2024-06-29 . . en-US.
  19. Web site: McIntyre . Hugh . Camila Cabello Reaches A Disappointing New Low . 2024-07-22 . Forbes . en.
  20. Web site: Oricon Top 50 Digital Albums: July 8, 2024. Oricon. ja. July 3, 2024.
  21. Web site: Billboard Japan Hot Albums – Week of July 3, 2024. Billboard Japan. ja. July 3, 2024.

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