XOXO
by The Jayhawks
  • Record Label: Sham
  • Release Date: Jul 10, 2020
Metascore
79

Generally favorable reviews - based on 8 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 8
  3. Negative: 0 out of 8
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  1. Classic Rock Magazine
    Jul 10, 2020
    80
    Louris is nonetheless still on top form with Homecoming and his sublimely resigned Then You Walked Away is the pick of the three bonus tracks on the physical formats of the album.
  2. Uncut
    Jul 9, 2020
    80
    XOXO is, astonishingly and hearteningly, the sound of a group still finding new ways to be themselves. [Aug 2020, p.24]
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  3. Mojo
    Jul 9, 2020
    80
    A band effort. And it shows in the diversity and quality of the songs. ... A fine album. [Aug 2020, p.93]
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  5. Glide Magazine
    Jul 9, 2020
    80
    XOXO, while broadening the band’s sound, becomes not a major shift, not even a detour really, but a refocus and sharpening of their hallmark jangly sound – brimming with country, folk, rock, and British Invasion power pop. It’s reinvigoration.
  6. PopMatters
    Jul 9, 2020
    80
    XOXO succeeds at proving the band is more than an assemblage of talented players. As individuals and as a whole, the Jayhawks offer 12-plus compositions to help listeners who may be alone and scared by reminding us that we are all alone together.
  7. American Songwriter
    Aug 17, 2020
    70
    “Little Victories” and “Dogtown Days” may add momentary muscle — albeit it tenuously at that — but overall the focus is found in decidedly hushed happenstance. Happily, it’s hard to find fault with these tender trappings, one more reason why XOXO excels with little more than a calm caress.
  8. Pitchfork
    Jul 20, 2020
    70
    XOXO is a battle-scarred but unbroken collection, worthy of being filed alongside venerable mid-career milestones like Wildflowers and Time Out of Mind.
  9. AllMusic
    Jul 17, 2020
    70
    Given that these musicians have been working together for the better part of 25 years, it should come as no surprise that XOXO still feels like a Jayhawks album, but while conventional wisdom in rock history tells us a band is running short on ideas when they start letting the drummer write more songs, in this case it means they're coming up with new ideas that are working well, and that's welcome news.

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User Score
8.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 8 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 8
  3. Negative: 0 out of 8
  1. Fries2go
    Jul 13, 2020
    4
    From the first track on I had to keep listening. They're The Jayhawks and they sound as fresh as ever!
  2. martijn_dj
    Jul 12, 2020
    9
    Great to see that after so many years the Jayhawks are still clearly seriously invested in making great records and aren't just phoning it in.Great to see that after so many years the Jayhawks are still clearly seriously invested in making great records and aren't just phoning it in. The choice to have all band members contribute creates a fresh direction keeping things interesting even after so many years. The Marc Perlman contributions are perhaps the most interesting - having played bass in the band in a comparatively quiet role, it's great to hear that he is just as talented at singing and songwriting as his band mates are.… Full Review »
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