XWife - X Wife

Review by Roberta Lustoza Marcelino

X Wife – X Wife Album Review: Portugal’s Sonic Cocktail That Packs a Punch Let’s cut to the chase: X Wife by XWife is one of those albums that sneaks up on you like an overenthusiastic cat in the middle of the night. Released in 2018 under Rastilho Records and Blackout Records, this Portuguese gem blends Alternative, Pop, and Rock into something both familiar and refreshingly unpredictable. It’s like your favorite diner burger but with extra jalapeños—you know what you’re getting, but it still surprises ya. The album kicks off with "Show Me Your Love," which feels like walking into a neon-lit disco where everyone knows your name (even though they probably don’t). João Vieira’s vocals are smooth as butter, gliding effortlessly over synths courtesy of Rui Maia. And let’s not forget João Cabrita’s saxophone solo—it’s so good it might make you want to grab a martini and pretend you’re in a spy movie. The whole vibe screams “dance floor anthem,” but there’s also this cheeky undertone of longing that keeps things interesting. You’ll find yourself humming it at random moments, like when you're stuck in traffic or trying to figure out how to fold fitted sheets. Then there’s "Sweet Paranoia," which flips the script entirely. This track is moody, brooding, and dripping with attitude. Think dark alleys, smoky bars, and existential crises—all wrapped up in a catchy melody. Liliana Marinho and Rita Silva add lush backing vocals that give the song layers deeper than your grandma’s lasagna. The percussion from Zé Nando Pimenta adds just enough edge to keep you hooked without tipping into chaos. If paranoia had a soundtrack, this would be it—and honestly? We’re here for it. Now, credit where it’s due: Fernando Sousa doesn’t just write songs; he builds worlds. As the songwriter, bassist, and producer, he wears more hats than a milliner during Fashion Week. Meanwhile, Bolos Quentes’ artwork perfectly captures the band’s eclectic energy—bold, colorful, and slightly unhinged. André Tentugal’s photography ties everything together visually, making the album feel cohesive even when its sounds zigzag across genres. What sticks with me most about X Wife isn’t just the music—it’s the little details. Like Fred Ferreira’s drumming on "Movin' Up," which somehow manages to sound both laid-back and urgent. Or José Raminhos’ trumpet on "Lucky Hour," adding a jazzy flair that shouldn’t work but absolutely does. These tiny touches remind you that real humans made this thing—not some algorithm churning out playlists designed to maximize streams. In the end, X Wife feels less like an album and more like a party where everyone brought their quirkiest dish to share. Sure, some tracks shine brighter than others, but the overall experience is delightfully messy in the best possible way. Listening to it feels like hanging out with old friends who always have wild stories to tell—even if half of them are total fabrications. So go ahead, press play. Just don’t blame me if you start craving coconuts and trombones afterward.

Artist: XWife
Album: X Wife

Portugal

2018

Rating: 5.0

Review
About Album
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Tracks
Video
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Catalog Numbers
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Listen online
Formats
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Notes
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About Artist
Interesting fact
Comments
Related albums

Download

Filename: xwife-x-wife.zip

MP3 size: 73.7 mb
FLAC size: 620.4 mb

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Tracks

Track	Duration	Preview
Movin' Up	3:41
Movin' Up
Coconuts	4:43
Boom Shaka Boom	3:41
Show Me Your Love	3:28
This Game	3:37
Lights Out	3:58
Sweet Paranoia	4:2
Fever	4:40
Lucky Hour	3:32
Monday Tuesday	2:30

Video

X-Wife - Movin Up | Eléctrico | Antena 3

X-Wife - Movin Up

Images

Catalog Numbers

184LP

Labels

Rastilho Records
Blackout Records

Listen online

kuunnella verkossa
écouter en ligne
ascolta in linea
online luisteren
lytte på nettet
ouvir online
online anhören
lyssna på nätet
escuchar en línea

Formats

Vinyl
LP
Album
CD

Companies

Role	Company
Distributed By	Rastilho Records
Recorded At	Meifumado Studios
Phonographic Copyright (p)	Blackout Records
Copyright (c)	Blackout Records
Mixed At	Meifumado Studios
Mastered At	Meifumado Studios

Credits

Role	Credit
Artwork By	Bolos Quentes
Backing Vocals	Liliana Marinho (tracks: 1, 2, 9), Rita Silva (tracks: 1, 2, 9)
Drums	Fred Ferreira (tracks: 1, 2, 4, 8), Nuno Sarafa (tracks: 3, 5, 6, 9)
Guitar	Rui Maia (tracks: 1, 2, 6, 9)
Mixed By	Zé Nando Pimenta
Recorded By	Zé Nando Pimenta
Mastered By	Zé Nando Pimenta
Percussion	Zé Nando Pimenta (tracks: 1, 8)
Photography By	André Tentugal
Saxophone	João Cabrita (tracks: 1, 2, 5, 6)
Songwriter	Fernando Sousa
Bass	Fernando Sousa
Producer	Fernando Sousa
Synth	Rui Maia
Drum Machine	Rui Maia
Vocals	João Vieira
Trombone	Miguel Marques (tracks: 5)
Trumpet	José Raminhos (tracks: 5)

Notes

SPA & 2018 Blackout Records
X-Wife.net

Barcodes

Matrix / Runout: 2100007510545 JLV180301
Mastering SID Code: IFPI LK97

About XWife

Trio from Portugal, devoted to Synth-Rock.

Members

Fernando Sousa
Rui Maia
João Vieira
Nuno Sarafa

Interesting fact about Album

Here’s a fun fact: The album *X Wife* by XWife is like a musical patchwork quilt. It blends alternative, pop, and rock vibes while showcasing some serious teamwork. For instance, João Vieira handles vocals, but there are nine other talented individuals credited for bringing the tracks to life. From Liliana Marinho and Rita Silva adding lush backing vocals to Zé Nando Pimenta pulling triple duty on mixing, mastering, and percussion—it’s clear this 2018 Portuguese gem was crafted with care. And get this: "Movin’ Up" appears twice in the tracklist! Maybe it’s their way of saying it’s worth hearing again.