"XO" is one of those big, boundary-obliterating pop songs that demands to be projected onto the sky, like the aural equivalent of a firework. There will be a supercut of people all over the world lip-syncing and doing cute hand motions to "XO" by the end of this week. It's the Beyoncé cut that Ed McMahon would ride for. One of the guys from Skeleton Crew is going to propose to his girlfriend while "XO" is playing and she will say yes. "XO" is the reason why anyone you know who has said, "Yeah, but where are the hooks on Beyoncé?" did not listen to the entire album. Chris Martin is listening to "XO" right now, crying. And, because perfection is overrated, all of the flawlessness here is brilliantly undercut by that gravelly croak in her lower register when she growls, "Baby love me, lights out." You kill us, Bey.
I disagree. Compared to most of the other tracks on the album, XO doesn't really offer anything we haven't heard before, especially from Ryan Tedder. IDK. That's just my opinion. This album is one of the best out this year because it's so full of tracks that will help bring alt-R&B to mainstream. R&B music is finally being revived in a great way because of this album, and pointing out one of the pop tracks on the album is kind of unnerving to me. Pitchfork and NME have been a bit off for me this year. I usually agree with those blogs more than others.
I do like XO, though. I think it will do great on radio...
they better stan for this masterpiece
