We’ve all read the stories of that one member going solo to pursue their own music. Some flop and some float. Camila Cabello, like her many predecessors, is most certainly floating right now! Her impressive debut solo album, simply titled “Camila” clocks in a brisk 37 minutes of pure bliss.
While most of the narrative of Camila’s departure from having to harmonize with four subpar singers played out through 2017, she announced that she was releasing her debut solo album. As the album started to take shape and singles were released, new music was spilling from writing sessions among other things forcing the original release date to get pushed back.
All of this gave Camila full control over an album that would introduce her to a whole new audience. The album title changed, the sound of album changed, Camila released her now platinum single “Havana”, and ditched songs co-written and produced by the slick-ricks in favor of a sound that’s much more Cuban influenced, and much more distinct to the rising star.
After 4 or 5 full album listens, there is not one track on this album that we would dream of skipping! Each track has its own story and Camila navigates her way through all 10 tracks, ranging from Latin infusion to wistful piano ballads like a pro. “She Loves Control” is an early front runner for our favorite track. Produced by Skrillex, “Control” is definitely a “boss b*tch” track without being loud and in your face. It makes you want to hit the dance floor and what else – control it!
“Consequences,” “Something’s Gotta Give,” and “Real Friends” slow the album down on the back half, giving Camila a chance to fully wear her heart on her sleeve. On the hauntingly hollow acoustic “Real Friends,” you can hear just how much LA takes a toll on someone who has a pure heart and desire to make those real connections that you can only find in those who stuck by you when you were at the lowest points in your life.
Camila’s ability to make you feel every emotion at once is on full display on “In The Dark” – easily our number one favorite track on this entire album. “In The Dark” is where the real heart shines through asking “Who are you in the dark? Show me the scary parts,” you almost start answering her back because you don’t want her to keep wondering about you.
After forcing you to reach inside and dig deep, Camila closes her impressive debut album with a sultry synth twinged track “Into It.” This track makes us lose all control and dance like the weirdos we are, like nobody’s watching!
As a whole, “Camila” is a slow burn full of red hot tracks that could all very well be singles in their own right. Don’t believe us? Pick up a copy of “Camila” on iTunes or Amazon and we dare you to not dance along!