Acoustic Avenues: Camila Cabello’s “Familia”

In this weekly column, senior Emily Thomas provides her take on a new albums, concerts, and artists.

Ana Toro, Assistant Interactive Media Editor
April 22, 2022

Camila Cabello dropped her new album in Spanish and English, Familia, on Friday. Based off of her last album, Romance, I thought that this album would not be as good as advertised. Also because the singles she dropped in promoting Familia were not that good. Namely “Don’t Go Yet” and “Bam Bam,” featuring Ed Sheeran, weren’t that good. In order to feel hyped for an album, singers have to do a good job at releasing the right music beforehand to create that anticipation and excitement among the fans. Though the singles weren’t that good, the rest of the album was great.

My favorites from Cabello’s third studio album were “Celia”, “psychofreak” featuring WILLOW, “Hasta Los Dientes” featuring Maria Becerra, “Lola” featuring Yotuel, and “No Doubt.” A huge part of the enjoyment of this album was hearing Cabello sing in spanish. I had heard her do it before on the remix to her hit song “Havana” with Daddy Yankee, and it sounded amazing. Some artists really do sound better in other languages.

Another reason why this album was so good was because of the culture that was sewed into it. There are some very clear uses of Cuban style music throughout the album which is natural given that Camila was born in Cuba and has shown great pride in that. Cuban style music is one of the most beautiful and pleasing things to hear. It truly moves you and sends you to another planet. You could hear this in “Celia” which is my favorite off the album and in “Bam Bam” featuring Ed Sheeran.

One really cool song off of this album was “psychofreak” featuring WILLOW. The way that their voices blended together so well was very pleasing to listen to. Cabello sings about the issues she has struggled through when it comes to how the public has commented on her body and how it has affected her daily thoughts. Not only does she talk about that, but she really finds a way to explain her anxiety through her art. She even addresses the split of the former band Fifth Harmony when she said “I don’t blame the girls for how it went down.”

The most impactful song on the album, however, is “Lola” featuring Cuban singer Yotuel. This song is about a woman/girl living in Cuba and being told about this wonderful life that she could have if she works hard enough at it. It talks about the barriers that Cubans, in general, have to overcome everyday due to the political and economic situation. It is a beautiful way to tell a story and bring more attention and awareness to the problems people face there.

This album really showed the world Camila’s lyrical ability and vocal range. She outdid herself on it and really gave it her all. I would recommend this to anyone who is looking for something new and refreshing. Because that is what this album is, a breath of fresh air.