Taylor Swift's pop music pal Camila Cabello comes of age with her album C,XOXO, writes ADRIAN THRILLS

 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

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)

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.

OTHER NEWS

22 minutes ago

Official: Hampton & Richmond sign Ted Curd on loan from Chelsea

22 minutes ago

National Rally win first round of elections in France

22 minutes ago

Furry bucket hats for ever! The seven biggest fashion trends of Glastonbury 2024

22 minutes ago

Fatima Payman indefinitely suspended from Labor Caucus

25 minutes ago

Donnie Wahlberg's Blue Bloods Season 14 Part 2 Video Is Leaving Fans In Tears

26 minutes ago

Nicole Holofcener Talks Oscars Snubs, Her One “Disaster” Movie & Directing ‘Sex And The City’ Season One: “I Didn’t Know If I Was Gonna Be Working On Porn” — Karlovy Vary

28 minutes ago

Video: Khloe Kardashian turns 40: Inside the reality star's wild birthday bash - featuring surprise performance by Snoop Dogg

28 minutes ago

Video: Khloe Kardashian turns 40: Inside the reality star's wild birthday bash - featuring surprise performance by Snoop Dogg

28 minutes ago

QUENTIN LETTS: Ann Widdecombe had the crowd jiggling like nudists in a sandstorm

28 minutes ago

Jason Whitlock SLAMS Caitlin Clark's ability - and explains why she's struggling in the WNBA

28 minutes ago

ANDREW PIERCE: Natalie Elphicke's small boats U-turn is a blatant betrayal

29 minutes ago

President Biden needs to be replaced: Letters to the Editor — July 1, 2024

29 minutes ago

How Louisiana’s new Ten Commandments classroom requirement will be funded, enforced

29 minutes ago

Phoenix Suns Could Pay Over $525 Million In Payroll For 2025-26 Season

29 minutes ago

Fixer Upper's Joanna Gaines Shares A Cabinet Upgrade That Reduces Counter Clutter

29 minutes ago

Analyst Critical Of Russell Wilson Says Arthur Smith Is The Right Guy For Steelers QB's Success

29 minutes ago

Expect an 'exciting dividend announcement' from JPMorgan, says UBS's Erika Najarian

29 minutes ago

Brittney Griner Receives Technical Foul for Hostile Shove of Aliyah Boston

29 minutes ago

England stun Euros with win '20 seconds' before exit

29 minutes ago

READ IN FULL: Ramaphosa’s Cabinet announcement speech

29 minutes ago

UCLA Basketball News: Jaime Jaquez Jr. selected for USA Basketball Select Team

29 minutes ago

Austrian GP Data: How Max Verstappen lost the race and the Lando Norris effect

31 minutes ago

Public service attractive, adapting to new challenges: Chan Chun Sing

31 minutes ago

Spain see off brave Georgia to set-up Germany quarter-final

31 minutes ago

Coach Bielsa suspended after Uruguay arrive late onto pitch at Copa America

32 minutes ago

Brewers put up 7-run 4th inning in victory over Cubs

34 minutes ago

Josh Lucas and meteorologist Brianna Ruffalo are engaged after 2 years together: 'I got crazy lucky'

34 minutes ago

Justice Department Is Said to Offer Boeing Plea Deal Over 737 Max Crashes

34 minutes ago

Using last year’s sunscreen? Double check it before applying

34 minutes ago

The Ritz-Carlton's Third Superyacht Is Coming Next Year — and It'll Have 12 New Itineraries Across Asia

34 minutes ago

Time Crystals Could Unlock a Radical New Future For Quantum Computers

34 minutes ago

Robbo's plan for axed Wallabies star in deadline race

34 minutes ago

Grandma, 58, Makes Olympic Team for Race Walking: 'Never Known Anyone Who Is as Mentally Tough'

34 minutes ago

NSW Liberal Party considering cutting ties with Nationals

34 minutes ago

Reform to lodge complaint against TikTok after Widdecombe ‘cut off’

34 minutes ago

Supreme Court Overturns Chevron Ruling

34 minutes ago

Sunak refuses to say whether he told former aide about election date

34 minutes ago

Homelessness affects young people's health, safety, education. Here is Hailey's story

34 minutes ago

A Night With Janis Joplin star promises 'wildly different' show unlike anything in the West End

34 minutes ago

Ian Wright and Gary Neville go wild as Kane nets England winner against Slovakia at Euro 2024