The Maine – XOXO review

November 18th, 2021 by Ronnie Gruseck

The Maine – “XOXO: From Love & Anxiety in Real Time”

Reviewed by Ben Ostrowski ’24

On their most recent album, The Maine have been tapping into our deepest, darkest, and most vulnerable feelings. “XOXO: From Love & Anxiety in Real Time” is all about unconditional love, the good and the bad.

From start to finish, you experience all aspects of a relationship and gain an understanding that it is all facets – not just the good bits – that make love so special, and that push you to be stronger in any relationship. From the lustful infatuation that defines album opener ‘Sticky’, to the warm embrace ‘Face Towards the Sun’

“XOXO: Love & Anxiety in Real Time” is some of The Maine’s strongest material, telling a powerfully detailed story while simultaneously making it so relatable. The understanding that so many emotions can exist in one single space, makes you recognize that love doesn’t make everything better, but having a rock to lean on during the rough times makes things easier. It’s a love that continues to grow with each listen until you’ve all but burst. It’s the most authentic kind of love there is, and it on that will always have you coming back to this magnificent record.