When música mexicana star Xavi started working on his debut album, he told Rolling Stone that he had two goals in mind: He said it was “going to be straight corridos, respecting our style,” and that it was his mission to make the album “the best.” If you ask Xavi now, he’ll tell you he achieved both goals.
On Friday, Xavi released his 15-track debut, Next, which hears the singer doing something he calls “fusionizing” the genre with pop sounds — even ska — while staying true to the romantic corrido style he introduced with his hits “La Diabla” and “La Víctima” late last year. Those two tracks, and his distinct take on the corrido, made him one of the most promising faces of the genre this year, and earned him a place at the top of several charts.
“I was trying to keep it as original as possible. I think all the fusions kept it 100 with the genre. We’re not jumping straight to reggaeton or anything like that,” he tells Rolling Stone of the new album. “As Mexicans, we want to keep pushing our genre and flag as high as possible. And we want to stay true to the genre and take it as far as possible.”
Next continues with his mission while he makes way for new sounds. One example is “Tu Casi Algo,”” where he adds the darker, experimental energy of his brother Fabio Capri’s voice and style. (It’s the song he’s most proud of.)
“This isn’t just the basic corrido or música mexicana. This is combining my two different worlds into one,” Xavi says. “This is literally the apocalypse of the corrido. I’ve been waiting for this album my whole life.”
From his home in Orange County, Xavi broke down five of the songs off his debut album.
“Tu Casi Algo”
It’s [about] one of those situations where you’re almost something. That was the perfect song that my brother could hop on, because my brother has this dark, indie style. We were able to make a fusion and it became a ska tumbado, whatever we want to call it. The process of collabing with my brother was beautiful because he has a lot of talent and potential. He wasn’t really ready to let it out. I told him, “We got this, bro. We’ve been waiting for this opportunity since we were kids. Let’s do it.” I’m so proud of him, because he thought he wasn’t going to do music anymore. And I told him, “Nah, man, you’re going to make it big.”
“La Luna Por Mi”
It translates to “take her to the moon for me.” Originally, I made it for somebody special. It was my love letter, my goodbye letter, just in case anything happened. “If I don’t make it, I still want somebody to take you to the moon for me. I want to give you the moon. I want to give you everything.” We’re not promised tomorrow, so it’s just like a message saying, “Even if I’m not here tomorrow, I still want somebody to take you to the moon for me.” I made it as if I was gone. Maybe you guys parted ways, you guys went each other’s ways, and shit didn’t work out, but that’s how people could take it.
“Next”
On this song, I’m asking myself what’s next after a relationship. It’s about a love that ends. Everything starts happily, and it slowly starts falling apart. But you know, at the end of the day, you’ll be able to move on. We all get to that point in our lives. I feel like it’s a message telling people it’s okay. It’s okay to move on, and it’s okay to do your own thing and just move on from that hole you had. I’m just reminding people it’s okay to move on. It’s okay to step forward.
“Flores”
“Flores” is a love song. In the moment, you’re in love and you gift that person you love all the flowers so no güey has a chance with her. It was actually an old song I wrote when I was in love. I said, “I’m still going to drop it even if I’m not in love anymore.” But, man, that one has a story, man. That was a moment where I was in love. By the time I dropped it, man, she wasn’t even in my life. I wasn’t feeling that way anymore. It was a past feeling. it’s a reminder. I’m like, “Damn, I was in love,” but it’s okay because what’s next?
“Una Semana”
This is about a guy trying to forget a girl. All he needs is a week to move on. You just need a few days to get over that person and to realize you’re ready for someone or something new. It plays in with the album title. It’s about asking yourself, “What’s next? How can I move on?” It’s OK to move on.
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