XOXO
The Jayhawks · 2020
56 min · 15 tracks · alternative country
Melodic harmonies intertwine with reflective lyrics, embodying the warmth and nostalgia of alternative country roots.
Top tracks — play these first
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This Forgotten Town — The opening track sets a contemplative tone with vivid imagery reflecting on memories tied to place, establishing a thematic foundation for the album.
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Bitter Pill — This song combines poignant lyrics with an infectious melody, capturing the struggle between optimism and disillusionment that permeates the album.
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Homecoming — With its heartfelt narrative about returning to one's roots, this track encapsulates the album's exploration of personal history and belonging.
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Illuminate — This song features rich harmonies and an uplifting message, contrasting darker themes elsewhere in the album while showcasing the band's melodic strengths.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases strong songwriting and production, with effective use of harmonies and instrumentation.
What we noticed
- The album features a consistent use of layered vocal harmonies across multiple tracks, enhancing the emotional resonance of the lyrics.
- The pacing varies with alternating mid-tempo and slower ballads, allowing for moments of reflection amidst more upbeat tracks.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- nostalgic reflections on everyday life
- warm melodies for cozy evenings
- gentle pacing for relaxed listening
- thoughtful lyrics for introspection
- short tracks for easy replay
Maybe skip if you
- seeking high-energy anthems
- prefer standalone hits over cohesion
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released on July 10, 2020, XOXO is The Jayhawks' first studio album in four years, following their 2016 release, Paging Mr. Proust. This album marks a continued evolution for the band as they explore themes of connection and introspection while retaining their signature sound.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Uncle Tupelo· Wilco· Son Volt
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 This Forgotten Town 3:46
- 2 Dogtown Days 3:17
- 3 Living in a Bubble 3:05
- 4 Ruby 3:39
- 5 Homecoming 4:03
- 6 Society Pages 4:36
- 7 Illuminate 4:34
- 8 Bitter Pill 3:23
- 9 Across My Field 4:53
- 10 Little Victories 3:45
- 11 Down to the Farm 3:28
- 12 Looking Up Your Number 3:37
- 13 Jewel of the Trimble 3:41
- 14 Then You Walked Away 3:14
- 15 Hypocrite's Lament 3:28
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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