Channelling the late ‘90s pop flair that established Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera, Camila Cabello has unleashed what appears on the surface to be a high-octane second LP in ‘Romance’. From the first play, the level of financial investment and industry hopes attached to this project feel tangible.
Having released her self-titled debut in the first month of 2018, ‘Romance’ is designed to underscore her rapid rise as a solo artist since breaking away from Fifth Harmony. Securing guest vocals from Dababy on stand out track My Oh My, Cabello’s current creative inspiration and boyfriend Shawn Mendes also joins her on the wildly popular Señorita, which went to number one in more than 30 countries.
Cabello’s most potent moments on the album, though, arrive with tracks that take risks, moving left of centre of her signature sounds. Front-loaded, the best tracks on ‘Romance’ run from one to six.
Should've Said It and Living Proof demonstrate a subtle blend of Cuban influences together with mainstream pop production, and they feel like Cabello's more mature sound done right.
She speaks openly about failed relationships on Easy, and her transparency about her insecurities feels engaging, but the production is weak, undermining the structure of the song. Bad Kind of Butterflies and Feel It Twice are pure album filler. They ramble on and on until drawing to a close, ending up as little more than a distraction.
Ultimately, ‘Romance’ feels forgettable and overwritten. What could have been a real moment in chart music for this hugely talented vocalist arrives with minimal clout and energy. Cabello has been set parameters with the material she is expected to create as opposed to being given the freedom to realise her full potential.
Camila Cabello Upcoming Tour Dates are as follows:
Mon June 01 2020 - BIRMINGHAM Resorts World Arena
Tue June 02 2020 - LEEDS first direct Arena
Thu June 04 2020 - MANCHESTER Arena
Mon June 08 2020 - DUBLIN 3Arena
Tue June 09 2020 - GLASGOW SSE Hydro
Thu June 11 2020 - LONDON O2 Arena
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