Camilla Cabello is a wild girl in “C, XOXO.”
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TOP 5 SONGS
5. DREAM-GIRLS
I don’t know if sampling a The Dream track is a good idea right now…
Do I think the sampling this song does is lazy? Absolutely. However, what really draws me to “DREAM-GIRLS” is its infectious energy. The production cleverly blends R&B and reggaeton vibes in a fresh manner that’s new to my ears. It’s complemented by a highly catchy hook, an unrestrained vocal performance, and lyrics that indicate that Camilla Cabello is ready to crash out in honor of all the s**t she’s accomplished up to this point in her life. I’m with it.
4. I LUV IT
This track definitely grew on me.
“I LUV IT” is supposed to evoke many different emotions out of you. It’s supposed to make you feel empowered, like the big man or woman on campus, and confused. While Camila Cabello takes the lead with her quirky vocals, along with ADHD-inspired lyrics, Playboi Carti provides the track with a verse in which he talks his s**t using this deep, barely audible rap voice. The two artists are accompanied by random-ass Gucci Mane adlibs and a fast-paced, trippy beat that is supposed to f**k your head up.
3. HOT UPTOWN (Ft. Drake)
After losing his beef with Kendrick Lamar, Drake has decided to morph into his Jamaican persona.
All bulls**t aside, it’s cool seeing Drake return to his fun-loving ways in “HOT UPTOWN.” As a matter of fact, we get brunch Drake in this track as he brings out his island accent, his most infectious melodies, and his most footloose lyrics all over this festive beat. As for Camilla Cabello, she sings with the enthusiasm of someone who knows their numbers are about to go up because she was able to have a connection with the biggest hip-hop artist in the world.
Drake made fun of Kendrick Lamar for working with Maroon 5 only to make this?
2. HE KNOWS (Ft. Lil Nas X)
There’s nothing like being wooed by crazy people.
Don’t you love a good inside message? In “HE KNOWS,” Camila Cabello and Lil Nas X explore the intricate art of mind games within their relationships. While Camila relishes in the role of the ultimate tease, Lil Nas X portrays a sense of satisfaction as he engages in intimate moments with his lover.
The track’s uptempo, frantic pop beat resonates with me, evoking the vibes of a dark bar like Barcelona in DC. Camila’s wide-ranging vocal performance, particularly when she hits those high notes, is a highlight for me, as is Nas X’s dynamic delivery that transitions from him sounding sprung to resembling him being on a roller coaster ride. However, I can’t overlook Camila’s lackluster lyrics—they leave much to be desired. Overall, though, the track has its cool moments!
1. B.O.A.T.
I actually love it when Camilla Cabello completely pours her heart out on the mic.
“B.O.A.T.” is the most stripped-down track on this album. For starters, it features production that is mainly powered by simple piano notes. As for Camila Cabello, she puts up a very strong vocal performance that has her reaching some high notes and showing great passion as she tries to put into words what it feels like to wonder why your ex isn’t concerned with your whereabouts. When it’s all said and done, this is the track that’s truest to Camila’s character.
SONG-BY-SONG RATING
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RGM RATING
(D+)
Camila Cabello has significantly dumbed down her sound on this album. While this may enhance her social media image, does it potentially detract from her artistic reputation?
Production (C)
I thought this album was a little all over the place from a production standpoint. There’s no consistency at all. However, a bunch of the tracks do feature instrumentals that are energetic, island-flavored, and simply fun to listen to. I do wish we got more stripped-down instrumentals like the ones we heard on “B.O.A.T.”
Content (C+)
So, Camilla Cabello is pretty unapologetic in this album. She talks about partying hard, being promiscuous, having herself hot girl summers, and just being the s**t overall. A lot of her verses give me jit rap vibes. That said, there were verses on this album in which I literally wondered what the f**k she was talking about.
Vocal Performances (B-)
I think Camilla Cabello is a good enough singer. While I don’t think she puts up groundbreaking vocal performances on this album, I absolutely love the exuberance she sings with and how she’s able to convey her feelings toward things altering voice when appropriate.
Guest Appearances (C)
Drake was solid in “HOT UPTOWN” and “Uugly. I do feel like for a few minutes the album took on his tone just a little too much. As for JT, Yung Miami, and Playboi Carti, they did nothing that impressed me.
Conclusion:
I’m not a fan of this album. I just feel like it’s a little too all over the place. When Camilla is just a little more put together, I feel she’s a little more effective. That said, if this was a mixtape, I would think it was pretty dope.
Quincy is the creator of Ratings Game Music. He loves writing about music, taking long walks on beaches, and spaghetti that fights him back.
