Camila Cabello Releases Extended Version of Fourth Album: ‘C,XOXO - Magic City Edition’

Camila Cabello has released ‘C,XOXO - Magic City Edition’, dropping four new tracks to close out this chapter of her fourth studio album cycle. Her penmanship throughout the album is heartfelt, resonating, and taken to new heights with fragrant lyricism, dazzled in femininity, sung over flexible instrumentation.

The stories told throughout the album see Cabello confronting discomforting situations while finding a sense of healing. Sonically, there are various genres with elements of pop, alt-pop, avant-pop, hip-hop, and hyper-pop, demonstrating Cabello’s versatility as a music artist to blend through soundscapes with ease. The 18-track album was created with producer El Guincho and co-producer Jasper Harris, with El Guincho serving as executive producer. 

Opening the album with ‘I Luv It’ featuring Playboi Carti is a surprise and sets the album up with an intriguing expectation and carefree vibes. ‘Chanel No.5’ has minimalist R&B-infused production. Cabello’s vocals are strong on ‘pink xoxo’ alongside the layered synthesizers. ‘HE KNOWS’ has a dance and hip-hop fusion, featuring Lil Nas X on the song. ‘Twentysomethings’ is a relatable song reflecting on toxic relationships over a stylish acoustic guitar and trap beat.

‘Dade County Dreaming’, stands out with its futuristic synths, featuring JT & Yung Miami as an ode to Miami. ‘koshi xoxo’ is a spoken word interlude featuring BLP KOSHER, where he talks about how Cabello’s music helped him get through a difficult period in his life. ‘HOT UPTOWN, featuring Drake, has an infectious melody fronted by a drum and percussion dance-esque beat. The emotional angle on ‘Uuugly’ fits the album greatly. ‘DREAM-GIRLS’ has a lustrous production, giving a nod to her Latin pop origins. The particular piano and synthesizers along with the reggaeton soundscapes add a flavourful addition to the album.

‘305tilidie’ stands as flavourful background noise classed as an interlude. ‘B.O.A.T.’ is a piano ballad, and samples Pitbull, giving it love-sick vibes. ‘pretty when i cry’ has a summery house vibe to it. Vocally, ‘June Gloom’ sees Cabello beautifully display her voice in a crooning way that heavily evokes the gut-wrenching feeling of seeing an ex in a new relationship (something that is heartbreakingly personal to many) over a lofi hip-hop production.

‘baby pink’, featuring Eem Triplin is outstanding with the incredible verses and flow production. ‘Come Show Me’ is a catchy and memorable offering showcasing Cabello’s development as an artist and her ability to control a dance floor. ‘can friends kiss?’ traverses boundaries over an alluring production that is tasteful.

Closing out the album with ‘GODSPEED’, the track is an honest and open discussion on letting go - letting go of negative influences, hurt feelings, and unhelpful circumstances. The intriguing music video, which was directed by 91 Rules, opens with Cabello singing in the ocean while nude and with her head above the sea, symbolically capturing the spirit of the song. With a nighttime picture of Cabello immersing herself in the ocean, the video ends with a reveal of a surprise.

At its foundation, this tracklist is an auditory feast. Sonically, ‘C,XOXO - Magic City Edition’ is a riot of ideas, full of various synth presets, strong percussion samples, and a clever throwback to the era of PC music in voice production. Her well-rounded vocal skills are truly showcased on the tracks where she lets go of the Auto-Tune; more of her rawness could have been used instead of the maxed-out tuning that controls this record with an iron hand. 

The 27-year-old singer is seen reflecting on experiences exploring themes of empowerment, love, and self-discovery throughout the 18 tracks. The intriguing earworms are experimental and different to her first three albums. Cabello’s newfound confidence, the unique blend of genres, and how she embodies the paradoxes of being a "twentysomething" is a daring release. The innovation and boldness are exceptionally interesting as Cabello pushes boundaries from beginning to finish.

‘C,XOXO - Magic City Edition’, has something for everyone while highlighting Cabello’s growth as a musical artist with her exceptional musical soundscapes, intriguing vocal arrangements, and thought-provoking songwriting abilities. The album is resonant, showing that in your "twentysomethings" it’s okay to be chaotic, confused, and manic.

‘C,XOXO - Magic City Edition’ is a diverse album that shows Cabello’s creative process whilst creating a captivating album that is a great addition to her music discography. She is attempting something different on this record that will linger long after the album finishes.

Danielle Holian

@danielleholian_

Image: ‘C,XOXO - Magic City Edition’ Official Album Cover