album Camila Cabello - 'C,XOXO (Magic City Edition)'

[AbeHicks]

Yeah there was something in the air on the day she came up with boat. Really great and should have received a video.

[Poptart89]

On 9/17/2024 at 9:11 AM, HarleyWin said:

https://earmilk.com/2024/09/16/camila-cabellos-cxoxo-flopped-heres-why/

 

"Much of Cabello's struggles stem from an unclear artistic vision and disjointed storytelling that leave her projects feeling like patchwork rather than fully realized ideas. While each era may toy with various concepts, the overall effect remains non-committal, as though she's trying on different personas she'll inevitably abandon. This lack of direction extends to her erratic choice of features and collaborations, both within her own work and with other artists, leaving listeners unsure of who Cabello is—both as an artist and as a person."

 

"Some standout moments on C,XOXO include the clever interpolation of Pitbull's "Hotel Room Service" on "B.O.A.T.," a nod to her Miami roots that adds an unexpected contrast to an otherwise melancholy song.

I know this might be a controversial take, but "HOT UPTOWN (feat. Drake)" is a great track that deserved more recognition. It captures the Miami vibe with its vibrant instrumentation, and unlike some of the other songs on the album, it feels polished and fully conceptualized. Unfortunately, I believe the song would have gained more traction if not for Drake's recent controversy with Kendrick Lamar. Still, it's telling that this collaboration was one of only two songs from the album to chart.

GODSPEED is also one of the album's best tracks, serving as the perfect culmination of its core message: acknowledge your responsibility to grow while also learning to embrace inevitable chaos. It's a fitting anthem for navigating the uncertainty of early adulthood with a sense of both urgency and lightheartedness."

"In many ways, Camila Cabello's career feels like a series of near-misses—brimming with potential, yet held back by indecision, focus-grouping her audience, and the ever-present struggle to stay relevant. C,XOXO may not be the breakout album many hoped for, but it shows glimpses of an artist on the brink of something meaningful—if only she could push past her self-doubt, major label pressures, and the onslaught the public narratives that continually obscure her music."

This sums up my issue with C, XOXO. Anyone who pans the whole thing as a fail is missing the absolute gems on the album. The problem is she never fully commits, so you get one really solid, sonically thought out track and then the next is a completely inconsistent and lukewarm flop. The sonic inconsistency on XOXO was its downfall.