Camila Cabello: C, XOXO (Interscope)
In eight days’ time, Camila Cabello will be at Glastonbury for a set that should put the final seal on her move away from teenage pop prodigy to grown-up solo performer.
A graduate of the American X Factor, on which she was part of manufactured female quintet Fifth Harmony, she’s spent the past seven years carving out a more creditable route to stardom.
Since topping the UK singles chart with 2017’s smooth Havana, the Cuban-born, Miami-raised singer has toured with Taylor Swift, supported Coldplay and sung live with Ed Sheeran.
On her fourth solo album she severs any remaining links to her girl-group past. It switches between giddy, electronic hyper-pop and subtle, introspective ballads.
In eight days’ time, Camila Cabello (pictured) will be at Glastonbury for a set that should put the final seal on her move away from teenage pop prodigy to grown-up solo performer
Since topping the UK singles chart with 2017’s smooth Havana, the Cuban-born, Miami-raised singer has toured with Taylor Swift (pictured)
I Luv It, a duet with rapper Playboi Carti, has a chorus of the title repeated 27 times. He Knows, sung with country rapper Lil Nas X, could become ubiquitous over the summer, while Dream-Girls and Pretty When I Cry are powered by finger-popping Latin rhythms.
With Cabello’s vocals floating gracefully over hazy beats, there are two cameos from Canadian superstar Drake, whose melancholic voice injects notes of sadness into a song, Hot Uptown, that would otherwise be another feel-good summer banger.
Despite the ‘XOXO’ of the title, shorthand for kisses and hugs, this isn’t a loved-up album like 2019’s Romance.
‘I think of myself as mostly sweet, but it’s been healthy to embrace some of that darkness,’ says Camila. B.O.A.T. (‘best of all time’) is a superb piano ballad, and the acoustic Twentysomethings taps into generational angst. I don’t know where I am with you,’ she sings.
June Gloom has the feel of a Lana Del Rey song, albeit one with sultry Latin rhythms and unexpectedly wonky keyboards. If Cabello is as bold on stage next weekend, Glastonbury could be in for a treat.
C,XOXO is out on June 28.
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