Total Xanarchy Explained

Total Xanarchy
Type:studio
Artist:Lil Xan
Cover:TotalXanarchy.jpg
Released:April 6, 2018
Recorded:2017
Length:43:23
Label:Columbia
Prev Title:Xanarchy
Prev Year:2017
Next Title:Heartbreak Soldiers
Next Year:2018

Total Xanarchy is the only studio album by American rapper Lil Xan. It was released on April 6, 2018, by Columbia Records.[1] The album features guest appearances from Charli XCX, YG, Rae Sremmurd, 2 Chainz, Diplo, Yo Gotti, Rich the Kid, and Steven Cannon.

It was supported by five singles: "Slingshot", "Betrayed", "Far", "Wake Up" and "Color Blind". Total Xanarchy was panned by both music critics and listeners, with most criticizing the lyrical content and Leanos' overall performance.

Background

The album was originally titled No Love after Xan's single of the same name, but was changed after his management decided not to include the song on the album.[2] It was originally scheduled for a March 17, 2018 release, however the album was delayed.[3]

On March 2, 2018, during an interview with Ebro Darden during the Ebro in the Morning show, Xan explained the direction of the album's sound and style, by stating,[4]

On March 15, 2018, the album's artwork and release date was revealed through the rapper's Instagram story.[5]

Singles

The album's lead single, "Slingshot" was released on April 2, 2017.[6] The JP-directed music video was originally released on June 21, 2017, however it was re-uploaded on November 22, 2017.[7] [8]

The album's second single, "Betrayed" was released for streaming and digital download on July 20, 2017.[9] The Cole Bennett-directed music video was released on August 28, 2017.[10] The music video has reached over 285 million views on YouTube.[2]

The album's third single, "Far" was released on November 3, 2017.[11] Its music video was released on October 31, 2017.[12]

The album's fourth single, "Wake Up" was released on December 27, 2017.[13] The Cole Bennett-directed music video was released on December 30, 2017.[14]

The album's fifth single, a collaboration with producer Diplo, titled "Color Blind" was released on March 22, 2018.[15] A music video for the song was released on April 10, 2018.[16]

Promotional singles

The album's lead promotional single, "Betrayed (Remix)" with Yo Gotti and Rich the Kid was released on March 15, 2018.[17]

The album's second promotional single, "The Man" featuring Steven Cannon was released on March 30, 2018, along with the Steve King-directed music video.[18]

Promotion

Tour

On December 18, 2017, Lil Xan announced an official headlining concert tour to further promote the album titled Total Xanarchy Tour. The tour began on January 25, 2018, in Vancouver, at Venue Nightclub.[19] [20]

+ Tour dates
DateCityVenue
United States
January 25, 2018VancouverVenue Nightclub
January 26, 2018SeattleNeumos
January 27, 2018PortlandHawthorne Theatre
January 31, 2018BerkeleyCornerstone
February 1, 2018Santa CruzThe Catalyst
February 2, 2018FresnoStrummers
February 8, 2018MesaClub Red
February 10, 2018AlbuquerqueSunshine Building
February 11, 2018DenverCervantes Otherside
February 13, 2018LawrenceGranada Theater
February 14, 2018Des MoinesWooly's
February 15, 2018MinneapolisThe Cabooze
February 17, 2018St. LouisThe Ready Room
February 18, 2018OmahaWaiting Room
February 21, 2018ChicagoLincoln Hall
February 23, 2018ClevelandThe Grog Shop
February 24, 2018DetroitEl Club
February 25, 2018TorontoMod Club Theatre
March 1, 2018BostonMiddle East Downstairs
March 2, 2018New York CityHighline Ballroom
March 3, 2018PhiladelphiaCoda
March 4, 2018WashingtonU Street Music Hall
March 6, 2018AtlantaMasquerade Hall
March 21, 2018Los AngelesThe Novo by Microsoft
March 22, 2018Santa AnaObservatory
March 23, 2018Las VegasBrooklyn Bowl
March 25, 2018San DiegoHouse of Blues
March 30, 2018BrooklynBrooklyn Steel
March 31, 2018SayrevilleStarland Ballroom

Critical reception

Total Xanarchy was panned by music critics, with most criticizing the lyrical content and Leanos' overall performance. Ben Beaumont-Thomas from The Guardian gave credit to the tracks containing strong hooks and "fine, gothic production", but criticized Xan for mimicking the technical abilities of XXXTentacion ("Diamonds") and Post Malone ("Far") and lacking in lyricism, saying "I can confidently report that there are no good lyrics on this album." Pitchfork writer Meaghan Garvey said about Lil Xan overall, "On his debut album, the standard-bearer of the sad-rap movement refuses to reveal much in the way of emotion at all, aside from a kind of sullen, conflicted defiance."

Track listing

Credits adapted from Tidal.[21]

Notes

Personnel

Credits adapted from Tidal.[21]

Technical

Charts

Chart (2018)Peak
position
New Zealand Heatseeker Albums (RMNZ)[22] 6
US Billboard 200[23] 10

Notes and References

  1. Web site: TOTAL XANARCHY by Lil Xan on iTunes. iTunes Store (US). April 5, 2018.
  2. Web site: If You Hate Lil Xan, He Still Loves You. Hypebeast. HP Cheung. February 6, 2018. April 5, 2018.
  3. Web site: Lil Xan's 'Total Xanarchy' Album to Feature 2 Chainz, YG and More. XXL. India. Lindsey. March 5, 2018. April 5, 2018.
  4. Web site: Lil Xan Lands 2 Chainz, YG & More On "Total Xanarchy" Album. HotNewHipHop. Findlay . Mitch. March 5, 2018. April 5, 2018.
  5. Web site: Lil Xan Shares 'Total Xanarchy' Album Cover and Release Date. XXL. Mojica. Nick. March 15, 2018. April 5, 2018.
  6. Web site: Slingshot - Single by Lil Xan on iTunes. 2 April 2017. iTunes Store (US). April 5, 2018.
  7. Web site: Lil Xan takes to the mountains in his scenic new video for "SLINGSHOT". Elevator. Hef. June 21, 2017. April 5, 2018.
  8. Web site: Lil Xan - Slingshot. YouTube. LilXanVEVO. November 22, 2017. April 5, 2018.
  9. Web site: Betrayed - Single by Lil Xan on iTunes. 20 July 2017. iTunes Store (US). April 5, 2018.
  10. Web site: Watch Lil Xan 'Betrayed' New Music Video. OnSMASH. LEGEND. August 28, 2017. April 5, 2018.
  11. Web site: Far - Single by Lil Xan on iTunes. 3 November 2017. iTunes Store (US). April 5, 2018.
  12. Web site: Watch Lil Xan 'Far' New Music Video. OnSMASH. LEGEND. October 31, 2017. April 5, 2018.
  13. Web site: Lil Xan Delivers New Song Wake Up. XXL. Mojica. Nick. December 27, 2017. April 5, 2018.
  14. Lil Xan Satisfies His Sweet Tooth in 'Wake Up' Video. Billboard. Penrose. Nerisha. January 4, 2018. April 5, 2018.
  15. Web site: Diplo & Lil Xan – Color Blind.
  16. Archived at Ghostarchive and the Wayback Machine: Diplo - Color Blind (feat. Lil Xan) (Official Music Video) . YouTube.
  17. Web site: Yo Gotti and Rich the Kid Hop on Lil Xan's "Betrayed" Remix. Complex. Cowen. Trace William. March 15, 2018. April 5, 2018.
  18. Web site: Lil Xan Heads To Rehab For 'Xanarchy' In The Steve King-Directed 'The Man' Music Video. Uproxx. Gee. Andre. March 30, 2018. April 5, 2018.
  19. Web site: Lil Xan Tour 2018 - CID Entertainment. CID Entertainment. April 5, 2018.
  20. Web site: Lil Xan Shares Total Xanarchy Tour Dates. XXL. Mojica. Nick. December 18, 2017. April 5, 2018.
  21. Web site: TOTAL XANARCHY / Lil Xan TIDAL. Tidal. April 6, 2018.
  22. Web site: NZ Heatseeker Albums Chart. Recorded Music NZ. April 16, 2018. April 13, 2018.
  23. Cardi B's 'Invasion of Privacy' Debuts at No. 1 on Billboard 200 Chart. Billboard. Caulfield. Keith. April 15, 2018. April 16, 2018.