One may think that signing to a major label is the pipeline to immediate success. However, this isn’t the case. Even artists signed to the biggest labels can have albums go under the radar. This can cause these records to fall into the category of overlooked and unknown by the masses.
This has happened to albums like Camila Cabello’s CXOXO, Halsey’s If I Can’t Have Love, I Want Power and The Great Impersonator, Lorde’s Solar Power, and Lana Del Rey’s Blue Banisters. Each of these albums was failed by the mainstream, but for one reason or another, deserve your attention.
CXOXO, Camila Cabello (2024)
CXOXO is Camila Cabello’s fourth studio album and the first with her new label, Geffen/Interscope. This album marked a strong shift in her sound and aesthetic as an artist. Her previous album, Familia, was a mix of Spanish and English language tracks with uplifting and upbeat production. This record shifted things to a darker, dancier, and more experimental route.
CXOXO features production primarily from El Guchino and Jasper Harris. These producers regularly work with artists like FKA Twigs, Rosalia, Tate McRae, and Frank Ocean. CXOXO finds Camila embracing her “5’2″ young Miami Barbie” energy unapologetically.
Centered on all things bleach blonde, Miami summers, and drunken moments of realization, CXOXO is the most ambitious and powerful release from the former Fifth Harmony singer. This album is cohesive and intriguing featuring an experimental sound throughout.
This Camila Cabello versus Charli xcx discourse surrounding the album overshadowed the art itself. Twitter and TikTok users compared Camila’s song “I Luv It” to the likeness of Charli xcx. They connected that track to Charli’s song “I Got It” which shares a similar chorus. “I Luv It” was the most hyperpop moment on Camila’s record. However, internet users took this and ran with it, claiming she was stealing her entire style when it was a single track that shared similarities. This discourse overshadowed and discredited the experimental and conceptual nature of CXOXO, turning it into one of many albums failed by the mainstream.
Camila Cabello reveals Charli xcx called her after posting a video mimicking her following comparisons between “I LUV IT” & “I Got It”:
— Pop Crave (@PopCrave) July 6, 2024
“But [Charli] called me and was like, ‘Hey, I hope you don’t think that I’m actually mad. This is me playing into the Brat era.’” pic.twitter.com/lXa8vNOa2G
CXOXO is a record that deviated from the path that Camila’s past releases and albums slated for her. She took her position as a pop artist more seriously than others and used her resources to experiment and create an album that was like nothing she had done before. She succeeded in creating a catchy, relatable, and danceable record that will stand the test of time.
If I Can’t Have Love I Want Power, Halsey (2021)
If I Can’t Have Love I Want Power is Halsey’s fourth album with Capitol Records. This project marked a departure from their more pop-leaning sound, most notably on their previous record Manic. Manic had experimental moments that leaned into the sounds of IICHLIWP with tracks like “3am” and the stand-alone single “Experiment On Me” from the Birds Of Prey soundtrack. The record features production from Atticus Ross and Trent Reznor from the rock band Nine Inch Nails. This album was another one of Halsey’s famous concept albums. In this case, the concept centered around the joys and horrors of pregnancy and childbirth.
This album is the most cohesive and prominent in their discography. With an accompanying film of the same name, the LP is meticulously thought out, visually and sonically. The visuals were set in a medieval period, and follow Halsey who plays Queen Lila through her struggles with pregnancy. The film leans into the horror genre, showcasing gruesome and abrupt moments throughout the leadership that do not accept her or support her place in the kingdom. It is a direct representation of the accompanying songs which play throughout the film.
Regarded as “for the arts, not charts,” by Halsey fans, this LP has stood the test of time and is the most polarizing and artistic creation of Halsey’s musical career. This record was promoted less than their previous albums. The stark genre shift moved Halsey away from their solidified stance in pop radio. This shift caused a lot of the general public not to realize they even released a new record.
Additionally, Halsey hinted at some label frustrations and how they didn’t seem fully invested in the project. This fleshed itself out further with the troubled release of their track “So Good”, with Halsey ultimately leaving Capitol Records. Regardless of the commercial reception of this album, If I Can’t Have Love I Want Power by Halsey will go down in history as an album that received widespread critical acclaim, despite being another album failed by the mainstream.
Solar Power, Lorde (2021)
This is another tale of a genre shift that didn’t sit right with the general public.
Solar Power by Lorde sounds exactly like its title and aesthetics suggest. It’s a testament to personal growth and reflection, all while basking in the sun on the beach. Cohesive and clear, this record delivers everything she promised. There are moments of fully letting go of past problems and embracing the present, self-reflection, and pushing back against environmental injustices. Solar Power was an album overlooked by fans and misjudged by the general public due to Lorde’s shift in sound.
This era was more stripped back than her last album, Melodrama. Melodrama was a cohesive, anthemic, and cathartic record detailing Lorde’s life after the success of her debut album, Pure Heroine. It explored her early twenties, relationships, and personal experiences. The long gap between Solar Power and Melodrama, along with the stark genre shift, left fans unsure of the sonic change and contributed to the album being underappreciated.
Lorde tells Wall Street Journal she has ‘zero anxiety’ about taking a less commercial approach: “I have more money than I could ever spend in my life.”
— Pop Base (@PopBase) August 19, 2021
Her new album ‘Solar Power’ is trading the traditional CD for eco-friendly ‘music boxes’ that are not eligible for Billboard. pic.twitter.com/B1GPn5wAQg
The essence of Solar Power is mature, subdued, and self-reflective. Lorde took a more environmental and eco-conscious approach, opting for minimal promotion. All her physical media—vinyl, merch, and even a CD-less music box—were made with recycled materials. These factors, along with the genre change, likely contributed to the album’s underperformance. Despite this, Solar Power will go down as one of Lorde’s most cohesive and self-aware records, portraying her emotions beautifully over production that perfectly captures a light, free, and summery essence.
Blue Banisters, Lana Del Rey (2021)
Even among Lana fans, Blue Banisters does not get the credit it deserves. Many listeners fail to appreciate the depth and cohesive nature woven throughout the record. Following Lana’s previous album, Chemtrails Over the Country Club, fans expected a more dynamic project—something that Blue Banisters is not. Instead, Blue Banisters is a succinct and powerful reflection of Lana.
The album acts as a diary, much like her other works. It’s something fans have come to know and love. Lana doesn’t hold back with her lyrics, remaining honest and vulnerable—an approach that should come as no surprise. This is evident throughout Blue Banisters.
The release of this album was also much more subdued compared to her previous projects. She showed little interest in promoting it, which may have contributed to the general public’s lack of awareness. The music videos were low-budget and sparse, in contrast to the grandeur and full production of the Chemtrails Over the Country Club video. These factors led to the album being overlooked and failing to make the cultural impact that many of her other records had. As a result, many people didn’t resonate or even listen to the album.
Despite this, Blue Banisters remains an introspective and cohesive record, touching on themes of the pandemic, media scrutiny, and personal experiences. Lana addresses a lot throughout this project, making it a deeply personal moment that all fans should take the time to listen to. The vocals and production craft a perfect sonic landscape for the stories and experiences she details. The album may have been failed by the mainstream, but it remains essential to her catalogue.
The Great Impersonator, Halsey (2024)
Halsey’s The Great Impersonator is a raw, bold, and powerful release for the artist. This album marked Halsey’s first with their new label, Columbia. This album is another example of the famous concept albums that Halsey is so good at. However, this concept was more personal and substantial than ever. The basis of the record was exploring how Halsey’s sound, visuals, and overall identity would have debuted in different eras. The singer’s announcement of her lupus and chronic leukemia diagnosis inspired the concept, rooted in a life-or-death ideology.
The rollout for this album was strong. Leading up to its release, Halsey meticulously impersonated iconic artists like Fiona Apple, Björk, Dolly Parton, and more. She then connected each song from the album to the artists she had impersonated, giving fans snippets of the songs and showcasing herself like an artistic chameleon.
All of Halsey’s great impersonations for their new album ‘The Great Impersonator.’ pic.twitter.com/O9iqnLzqwP
— Pop Base (@PopBase) October 24, 2024
The wide range of genres made it difficult for the general public to connect with. With Halsey’s new label, it seemed there wasn’t as much promotion as the album deserved. Fans online circulated their frustration with the label for not allocating enough promotion and marketing for the record.
This album was one of the most ambitious, refreshing, and dynamic releases of our time. The styles and different aesthetics, both sonically and visually, may be too vast for the general public to resonate with. The lyrics are deeply personal and unfiltered. Halsey addresses a wide range of topics on this album, from feeling like a burden to being abandoned due to their illness, to reflecting on the childhood of her son. The Great Impersonator is a strong and emotional representation of everything Halsey has gone through and will continue to battle. It stands as yet another album failed by the mainstream, but history will remember it as one of the boldest records of the 2020s.
Unfairly Judged, Undeniably Great
It is often the case that the general public does not fully understand the significance or creative choices of certain albums. However, these records will possess a timeless quality cementing them as classics. At their core, true fans will always recognize and appreciate the greatness of exceptional work, regardless of immediate popular perception. All the albums mentioned above were judged unfairly by the general public, who missed out on incredible music.
