Xavier: Album Review

New York City’s Xaviersobased has undeniably become a pivotal artist in the rise of the new underground, challenging norms sonically and aesthetically. Since the release of his breakout single, “Patchmade,” in 2022, Xaviersobased had unknowingly set a precedent for polarization — a quality that now feels almost necessary to capture the attention of today’s underground rap audience. In his new album, Xavier, not much has changed at its core, but what has evolved is a more focused and mature approach to his sound, delivered with the same effortless poise that defines his style.

In my last Xaviersobased review for his EP, Once More, I used the word “resourceful” to describe the direction he is choosing to take his sound. He understands exactly what makes him compelling to fans: an unorthodox flow over innocent, almost playful, sounding instrumentals which makes for a completely unique experience. Xavier seems to double down on this formula as well as tighten any loose ends that may have been present on the technical side of his music. The result is a project that feels more intentional and accessible without sacrificing the individuality that built his core fanbase.

Xavier particularly blew me away in its production which stands out amongst other projects in recent memory with a fresh take on the underground’s current state. It feels deeply personal and experimental but still goes light on the ears and makes for a fairly easy listening experience. Songs that particularly stand out are “Harajuku”, “Minute”, “100,000”, and “Negative Canthal Tilt.” That said, the album isn’t without flaws. Some of the less engaging tracks tend to overstay their welcome, while songs with stronger replay value feel comparatively brief — a structural imbalance that slightly disrupts the pacing. Additionally, a few mixes fall short, with vocals occasionally sounding submerged beneath the production. “Heartfelt” featuring Rio Da Yung Og is a prime example — a compelling collaboration that could have benefited from clearer vocal presence.

Otherwise, Xavier marks a step forward in this generation of upcoming artists along with most of the other albums coming out by artists of the same scene. Xaviersobased is successfully fleshing-out his sound to make it something enjoyable for everyone and shows real promise for his future.

Rating: 7.5/10