Total Xanarchy
Total Xanarchy is the debut studio album by American rapper Lil Xan. It was released on April 6, 2018, by Columbia Records.[2] The album features guest appearances from Charli XCX, YG, Rae Sremmurd, 2 Chainz, Diplo, Yo Gotti, Rich the Kid, and Steven Cannon.
Total Xanarchy | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Studio album by | ||||
Released | April 6, 2018 | |||
Recorded | 2017 | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 43:23 | |||
Label | Columbia | |||
Producer | ||||
Lil Xan chronology | ||||
| ||||
Singles from Total Xanarchy | ||||
|
It was supported by five singles: "Slingshot", "Betrayed", "Far", "Wake Up" and "Color Blind". Total Xanarchy was panned by both music critics and listeners, with most criticizing the lyrical content and Leanos' overall performance.
Background
The album was originally titled No Love after Xan's single of the same name, but was changed after his management decided not to include the song on the album.[3] It was originally scheduled for a March 17, 2018 release, however the album was delayed.[4]
On March 2, 2018, during an interview with Ebro Darden during the Ebro in the Morning show, Xan explained the direction of the album's sound and style, by stating,[5]
We really wanted the album to be something else. This album is where I feel like I shine with the whole creativity. It's a lot of stuff people haven't heard. It's a very mature sound. I don't think they're going to expect it.
On March 15, 2018, the album's artwork and release date was revealed through the rapper's Instagram story.[6]
Singles
The album's lead single, "Slingshot" was released on April 2, 2017.[7] The JP-directed music video was originally released on June 21, 2017, however it was re-uploaded on November 22, 2017.[8][9]
The album's second single, "Betrayed" was released for streaming and digital download on July 20, 2017.[10] The Cole Bennett-directed music video was released on August 28, 2017.[11] The music video has reached over 285 million views on YouTube.[3]
The album's third single, "Far" was released on November 3, 2017.[12] Its music video was released on October 31, 2017.[13]
The album's fourth single, "Wake Up" was released on December 27, 2017.[14] The Cole Bennett-directed music video was released on December 30, 2017.[15]
The album's fifth single, a collaboration with producer Diplo, titled "Color Blind" was released on March 22, 2018.[16] A music video for the song was released on April 10, 2018.[17]
Promotional singles
The album's lead promotional single, "Betrayed (Remix)" with Yo Gotti and Rich the Kid was released on March 15, 2018.[18]
The album's second promotional single, "The Man" featuring Steven Cannon was released on March 30, 2018, along with the Steve King-directed music video.[19]
Promotion
Tour
On December 18, 2017, Lil Xan announced an official headlining concert tour to further promote the album titled Total Xanarchy Tour. The tour began on January 25, 2018, in Vancouver, at Venue Nightclub.[20][21]
Date | City | Venue | |
---|---|---|---|
United States | |||
January 25, 2018 | Vancouver | Venue Nightclub | |
January 26, 2018 | Seattle | Neumos | |
January 27, 2018 | Portland | Hawthorne Theatre | |
January 31, 2018 | Berkeley | Cornerstone | |
February 1, 2018 | Santa Cruz | The Catalyst | |
February 2, 2018 | Fresno | Strummers | |
February 8, 2018 | Mesa | Club Red | |
February 10, 2018 | Albuquerque | Sunshine Building | |
February 11, 2018 | Denver | Cervantes Otherside | |
February 13, 2018 | Lawrence | Granada Theater | |
February 14, 2018 | Des Moines | Wooly's | |
February 15, 2018 | Minneapolis | The Cabooze | |
February 17, 2018 | St. Louis | The Ready Room | |
February 18, 2018 | Omaha | Waiting Room | |
February 21, 2018 | Chicago | Lincoln Hall | |
February 23, 2018 | Cleveland | The Grog Shop | |
February 24, 2018 | Detroit | El Club | |
February 25, 2018 | Toronto | Mod Club Theatre | |
March 1, 2018 | Boston | Middle East Downstairs | |
March 2, 2018 | New York City | Highline Ballroom | |
March 3, 2018 | Philadelphia | Coda | |
March 4, 2018 | Washington | U Street Music Hall | |
March 6, 2018 | Atlanta | Masquerade Hall | |
March 21, 2018 | Los Angeles | The Novo by Microsoft | |
March 22, 2018 | Santa Ana | Observatory | |
March 23, 2018 | Las Vegas | Brooklyn Bowl | |
March 25, 2018 | San Diego | House of Blues | |
March 30, 2018 | Brooklyn | Brooklyn Steel | |
March 31, 2018 | Sayreville | Starland Ballroom |
Critical reception
Aggregate scores | |
---|---|
Source | Rating |
Metacritic | 49/100[22] |
Review scores | |
Source | Rating |
The Guardian | [1] |
HotNewHipHop | 40%[23] |
NME | [24] |
Pitchfork | 4.7/10[25] |
Total Xanarchy was panned by music critics, with most criticizing the lyrical content and Leanos' overall performance. Ben Beaumont-Thomas from The Guardian gave credit to the tracks containing strong hooks and "fine, gothic production", but criticized Xan for mimicking the technical abilities of XXXTentacion ("Diamonds") and Post Malone ("Far") and lacking in lyricism, saying "I can confidently report that there are no good lyrics on this album."[1] Pitchfork writer Meaghan Garvey said about Lil Xan overall, "On his debut album, the standard-bearer of the sad-rap movement refuses to reveal much in the way of emotion at all, aside from a kind of sullen, conflicted defiance."[25]
Track listing
Credits adapted from Tidal.[26]
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | "Who I Am" |
| Bobby Johnson | 2:36 |
2. | "Wake Up" |
|
| 2:11 |
3. | "Tick Tock" (featuring 2 Chainz) | Ronny J | 2:35 | |
4. | "Diamonds" |
|
| 2:53 |
5. | "The Man" (featuring $teven Cannon) |
|
| 2:59 |
6. | "Saved by the Bell" |
|
| 3:00 |
7. | "Moonlight" (with Charli XCX) |
|
| 3:31 |
8. | "Shine Hard" (featuring Rae Sremmurd) |
|
| 3:57 |
9. | "Round Here" (featuring YG) |
| 3:11 | |
10. | "Basically" |
| Bobby Johnson | 1:46 |
11. | "Deceived" |
| Bobby Johnson | 2:04 |
12. | "Betrayed" |
| Bobby Johnson | 3:08 |
13. | "Slingshot" |
| Bobby Johnson | 1:29 |
14. | "Far" |
|
| 2:22 |
15. | "Color Blind" (Diplo featuring Lil Xan) |
|
| 2:56 |
16. | "Betrayed (Remix)" (featuring Yo Gotti and Rich the Kid) |
| Bobby Johnson | 3:17 |
Total length: | 43:23 |
Notes
Personnel
Credits adapted from Tidal.[26]
Technical
- DJ Fu – recording (track 1, 4, 5, 14), mixing (track 14)
- Steve Hybicki – mixing (tracks 1–11)
- Mauricio "Veto" Iragorri – mastering (tracks 1–14, 16)
- Steven "B" Baughman – mastering (tracks 1–14, 16)
- Kinfolk John – mixing (tracks 2, 12–14, 16), recording (tracks 2, 3, 6–13, 16)
- Nolan Presley – recording (track 3)
- Finis "KY" White – mixing (track 3)
- Ben the Great – mixing (track 14)
- Boaz De Jong – mixing (track 15)
- Mike Bell – mastering (track 15)
Charts
Chart (2018) | Peak position |
---|---|
New Zealand Heatseeker Albums (RMNZ)[27] | 6 |
US Billboard 200[28] | 10 |
Certifications
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
Canada (Music Canada)[29] | Gold | 40,000‡ |
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. |
References
- Beaumont-Thomas, Ben (April 5, 2018). "Lil Xan: Total Xanarchy review – moronic rap to make you feel old". The Guardian. Retrieved April 10, 2018.
- "TOTAL XANARCHY by Lil Xan on iTunes". iTunes Store (US). Retrieved April 5, 2018.
- HP Cheung (February 6, 2018). "If You Hate Lil Xan, He Still Loves You". Hypebeast. Retrieved April 5, 2018.
- India, Lindsey (March 5, 2018). "Lil Xan's 'Total Xanarchy' Album to Feature 2 Chainz, YG and More". XXL. Retrieved April 5, 2018.
- Findlay, Mitch (March 5, 2018). "Lil Xan Lands 2 Chainz, YG & More On "Total Xanarchy" Album". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved April 5, 2018.
- Mojica, Nick (March 15, 2018). "Lil Xan Shares 'Total Xanarchy' Album Cover and Release Date". XXL. Retrieved April 5, 2018.
- "Slingshot - Single by Lil Xan on iTunes". iTunes Store (US). 2 April 2017. Retrieved April 5, 2018.
- Hef (June 21, 2017). "Lil Xan takes to the mountains in his scenic new video for "SLINGSHOT"". Elevator. Retrieved April 5, 2018.
- LilXanVEVO (November 22, 2017). "Lil Xan - Slingshot". YouTube. Retrieved April 5, 2018.
- "Betrayed - Single by Lil Xan on iTunes". iTunes Store (US). 20 July 2017. Retrieved April 5, 2018.
- LEGEND (August 28, 2017). "Watch Lil Xan 'Betrayed' New Music Video". OnSMASH. Retrieved April 5, 2018.
- "Far - Single by Lil Xan on iTunes". iTunes Store (US). 3 November 2017. Retrieved April 5, 2018.
- LEGEND (October 31, 2017). "Watch Lil Xan 'Far' New Music Video". OnSMASH. Retrieved April 5, 2018.
- Mojica, Nick (December 27, 2017). "Lil Xan Delivers New Song Wake Up". XXL. Retrieved April 5, 2018.
- Penrose, Nerisha (January 4, 2018). "Lil Xan Satisfies His Sweet Tooth in 'Wake Up' Video". Billboard. Retrieved April 5, 2018.
- "Diplo & Lil Xan – Color Blind".
- Archived at Ghostarchive and the Wayback Machine: Diplo - Color Blind (feat. Lil Xan) (Official Music Video). YouTube.
- Cowen, Trace William (March 15, 2018). "Yo Gotti and Rich the Kid Hop on Lil Xan's "Betrayed" Remix". Complex. Retrieved April 5, 2018.
- Gee, Andre (March 30, 2018). "Lil Xan Heads To Rehab For 'Xanarchy' In The Steve King-Directed 'The Man' Music Video". Uproxx. Retrieved April 5, 2018.
- "Lil Xan Tour 2018 - CID Entertainment". CID Entertainment. Retrieved April 5, 2018.
- Mojica, Nick (December 18, 2017). "Lil Xan Shares Total Xanarchy Tour Dates". XXL. Retrieved April 5, 2018.
- "Total Xanarchy by Lil Xan Reviews and Tracks". Metacritic. Retrieved June 27, 2018.
- HotNewHipHop Review
- Morgan Britton, Luke (April 9, 2018). "Lil Xan – 'Total Xanarchy' Review". NME. Retrieved April 10, 2018.
- Garvey, Meaghan (April 11, 2018). "Lil Xan: Total Xanarchy". Pitchfork. Retrieved April 12, 2018.
- "TOTAL XANARCHY / Lil Xan TIDAL". Tidal. Retrieved April 6, 2018.
- "NZ Heatseeker Albums Chart". Recorded Music NZ. April 16, 2018. Retrieved April 13, 2018.
- Caulfield, Keith (April 15, 2018). "Cardi B's 'Invasion of Privacy' Debuts at No. 1 on Billboard 200 Chart". Billboard. Retrieved April 16, 2018.
- "Canadian album certifications – Lil Xan – Total Xanarchy". Music Canada. Retrieved October 9, 2022.