Once More (EP): Difference between revisions

 

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””’Once More””’ is an [[extended play]] (EP) by the American rapper [[Xaviersobased]]. It was [[Surprise album|surprise-released]] on August 1, 2025,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Williams |first=Stereo |date=August 1, 2025 |title=The Listening: New Metro Boomin, Ciara Links With Latto, AI-Assisted Aaliyah and More |url=https://www.okayplayer.com/new-music-1-august-2025 |access-date=2025-08-06 |website=[[Okayplayer]] |language=en}}</ref><ref name=”Pitchfork_Xaviersobased_OnceMore”>{{Cite web |title=Xaviersobased drops new EP *Once More* — listen |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/xaviersobased-drops-new-ep-once-more-listen/ |website=[[Pitchfork (magazine)|Pitchfork]] |publisher=Matthew Strauss |date=2025-07-24 |access-date=2025-12-10}}</ref> through [[Atlantic Records]].<ref name=”:1″>{{Cite web |last=Lafontant |first=Olivier |date=August 6, 2025 |title=Xaviersobased: ”once more” EP Review |url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/xaviersobased-once-more-ep/ |access-date=2025-08-06 |website=[[Pitchfork (magazine)|Pitchfork]] |language=en-US}}</ref> It is a six-track [[hip-hop]] album that marks a stylistic refinement of Xaviersobased’s sound, blending internet-era subgenres such as [[Jerk (music genre)|jerk]], [[cloud rap]], [[pluggnB]], and [[hyperpop]].

””’Once More””’ is an [[extended play]] (EP) by the American rapper [[Xaviersobased]]. It was [[Surprise album|surprise-released]] on August 1, 2025,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Williams |first=Stereo |date=August 1, 2025 |title=The Listening: New Metro Boomin, Ciara Links With Latto, AI-Assisted Aaliyah and More |url=https://www.okayplayer.com/new-music-1-august-2025 |access-date=2025-08-06 |website=[[Okayplayer]] |language=en}}</ref><ref name=”Pitchfork_Xaviersobased_OnceMore”>{{Cite web |title=Xaviersobased drops new EP *Once More* — listen |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/xaviersobased-drops-new-ep-once-more-listen/ |website=[[Pitchfork (magazine)|Pitchfork]] |publisher=Matthew Strauss |date=2025-07-24 |access-date=2025-12-10}}</ref> through [[Atlantic Records]].<ref name=”:1″>{{Cite web |last=Lafontant |first=Olivier |date=August 6, 2025 |title=Xaviersobased: ”once more” EP Review |url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/xaviersobased-once-more-ep/ |access-date=2025-08-06 |website=[[Pitchfork (magazine)|Pitchfork]] |language=en-US}}</ref> It is a six-track [[hip-hop]] album that marks a stylistic refinement of Xaviersobased’s sound, blending internet-era subgenres such as [[Jerk (music genre)|jerk]], [[cloud rap]], [[pluggnB]], and [[hyperpop]].

== Musical style ==

== ==

[[File: OsamaSon, NY.jpg|left|thumb|170px|upright|OsamaSon’s vocals are featured on the third track, “uncomfy”.|alt=A man on stage performing in front of a crowd while holding a [[microphone|mic]]]]

[[File: OsamaSon, NY.jpg|left|thumb|170px|upright|OsamaSon’s vocals are featured on the third track, “uncomfy”.|alt=A man on stage performing in front of a crowd while holding a [[microphone|mic]]]]

2025 EP by Xaviersobased

Once More is an extended play (EP) by the American rapper Xaviersobased. It was surprise-released on August 1, 2025,^[1][2] through Atlantic Records.^[3] It is a six-track hip-hop album that marks a stylistic refinement of Xaviersobased’s sound, blending internet-era subgenres such as jerk, cloud rap, pluggnB, and hyperpop.

Once More is a hip-hop EP,^[3] blending elements from several internet-era subgenres, including jerk, cloud rap, pluggnB,^[4][5] and hyperpop.^[5] With six tracks,^[5][6] these genres are interpreted according to Gabriel Bras Nevares of HotNewHipHop through “minimal”, “icy”, and “sharp” production choices,^[4] with sleek synth melodies^[5] and unconventional samples contributing to its experimental atmosphere.^[4] The track “Uncomfy”, a collaboration with OsamaSon, is highlighted for its integration of shoegaze-inspired textures,^[6] which features reverb-heavy guitars and feedback tones.^[3] Davy Reed of The Face highlighted the juxtaposition of his raps against the shoegaze instrumentals as “strangely poignant”.^[7]

Pitchfork‘s Olivier Lafontant says that his vocal delivery ranges from a “deadpan whisper” to a more melodic, high-pitched tone,^[3] often interacting closely with the percussive elements.^[4] Lyrically, the EP maintains his characteristic brevity and lighthearted tone, with moments of surreal imagery and humor.^[3]

The EP retains his post-SoundCloud era^[5] and expansion on his signature sound with increased polish and structural refinement that characterized his earlier work, such as in Keep It Goin Xav.^[3][4] Once More has been described by Nevares as Xaviersobased’s most “ethereal” project to date.^[4] Lafontant noted that Once More refines what has been described as his “singularly unrefined style”,^[3] presenting a cleaner, more melodic, and tightly curated approach without compromising the eccentricity of his earlier releases.^[4]

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
Pitchfork	8.0/10[3]

Once More received a positive reception amongst fans and media critics.^[8] To start it off, Olivier Lafontant of Pitchfork gave the album a prompt rating of 8 out of 10, writing how the EP showcases xaviersobased’s growth while maintaining his experimental sound, praising its “sleeker” production, the inventive shoegaze-influenced track “uncomfy,” and the rapper’s ability to evolve without sacrificing his distinctive style.^[3] Gabriel Bras Navares of HotNewHipHop described once more as “a short but nonetheless memorable experience,” noting that xaviersobased enlists Backend and OsamaSon for features on two of the six tracks. The review praised the EP’s cleaner, more melodic, and polished production compared to previous releases like Keep It Goin Xav, while maintaining his signature interpretations of jerk, cloud rap, and plugg. The critic highlighted the project’s ethereal quality, dynamic percussion, and inventive sampling, calling it “one of the best contemporary statements of what’s captivating young rap audiences today.^[4] Elaina Bernstein of Hypebeast wrote how Once More has a more polished sound compared to his previous releases, while retaining the raw, self-made energy of his earlier work. The review highlighted the project’s sleek synth melodies and incorporation of shoegaze-influenced beats, signaling an expansion of xaviersobased’s genre profile.^[5]

Additionally, Pitchfork rated “uncomfy” by Xaviersobased and OsamaSon at #9 out of 40 on their year-end chart ranking for “The 40 Best Rap Songs of 2025”, with writer Oba Awolowo citing how “uncomfy” sees xaviersobased bring out a different side of OsamaSon, whose typically chaotic Auto-Tune delivery is replaced by a more controlled performance. The review highlighted the EP’s “fuzz pedals, blown-out 808s, and jerk clicks” as a backdrop to xaviersobased’s exploration of the challenges and ambitions of young, rising artists, describing the collaboration as a demonstration of how their energetic, anarchic style has matured.^[9]

Credits adapted from Tidal.^[10]

Notes

• All track titles are stylized in all lowercase.
• “I’on Kno'” and “She OMD On’na Low” are stylized without their apostrophes.