Elliott Smith – “XO”

By the late ’90s, Elliott Smith had already built a devoted following through the fragile intimacy of his earlier work, particularly Either/Or. But it was the unexpected mainstream attention brought on by “Miss Misery,” written for Good Will Hunting, that shifted the trajectory of his career. Signing with DreamWorks Records, Smith entered the studio with a significantly larger budget for XO, his major label debut as a solo artist (he previously released an album on a major label with Heatmiser), and the result is an album that expands his sound without losing its emotional core.

The production marks a clear departure from the lo-fi aesthetic that defined his earlier releases. With greater resources at his disposal, Smith incorporates a wider palette of instrumentation, including horns, saxophones, trumpets and vibraphones. These elements add texture and dimension, creating a lush, almost baroque pop sound that contrasts with his signature whisper-thin vocals. Rather than overwhelming his music, the arrangements complement it, wrapping his melodies in warmth while preserving their intimacy.

This evolution feels less like a compromise and more like a natural progression. Smith does not abandon the delicate songwriting that made him compelling. Instead, he reframes it within a richer sonic environment. The shift toward soft jazz and orchestral flourishes is a bold move, one that risks alienating fans of his stripped-down style, but ultimately reinforces his versatility as an artist.

Lyrically, XO continues Smith’s exploration of deeply personal themes, but with a heightened sense of self-awareness. The isolation of success looms large over the album, an especially poignant subject for an artist as introverted as Smith. Even as his audience grows, there is a persistent sense of loneliness, as though the increased visibility has only deepened his disconnection.

Addiction and escapism also play a central role, woven throughout the album with a subtlety that makes them all the more affecting. “Baby Britain” is a prime example, pairing alcohol-soaked imagery with an irresistibly catchy melody. The contrast between the song’s buoyant sound and its underlying darkness highlights Smith’s ability to mask heavy themes within accessible compositions.

Romantic decay is another recurring thread, most notably on “Waltz No. 2 (XO).” Widely regarded as the album’s emotional centerpiece, the track captures the unraveling of a relationship with striking clarity. Its waltz-time rhythm and layered instrumentation create a sense of movement, while Smith’s lyrics cut directly to the heart of disillusionment. It’s a song that lingers long after it ends, encapsulating the album’s emotional weight.

“Sweet Adeline” opens the record in familiar territory, beginning with the kind of gentle guitar work that defined Smith’s earlier material. But as the song builds, it expands into a fuller arrangement, signaling the album’s broader ambitions. It serves as both a bridge between past and present and a statement of intent for what follows.

At times, the album’s dense arrangements and hazy atmosphere can feel disorienting, particularly in the middle stretch where the songs blur together with a dreamlike quality. There is a sense of drifting, as though Smith is navigating a fog of sound and emotion. While this can slow the album’s momentum, it also reinforces its thematic focus on escapism and internal struggle.

That tension resolves beautifully with “I Didn’t Understand,” a stark and haunting closer. Built entirely around layered vocal harmonies, the track strips away instrumentation entirely, leaving Smith’s voice to carry the full emotional weight. The result feels almost spiritual, reminiscent of a church choir, and provides a fitting conclusion to an album that is as introspective as it is expansive.

Ultimately, XO proves that Smith’s move to a major label was not a surrender of his identity, but an evolution of it. With greater resources, he was able to realize his songs on a larger scale while maintaining the vulnerability that defined his work. It is a delicate balance, and one that Smith handles with remarkable precision, delivering an album that stands as one of the strongest statements of his career.

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