Xavi’s second studio album, Dosis, released May 21 via Interscope Records, is exactly what fans of Mexican regional music and Latin beats have been waiting for.
The album is an emotionally rich journey of heartbreak and toxic love, expressed with satisfying corrido instrumentation. And while it occasionally wanders into unexpected territory, the detours prove Xavi’s talent in adventuring into different Latino music genres.
A Foundation Built on Heartbreak
From the opening title track, the album’s emotional thesis is clear. Dosis opens with a melancholic acoustic guitar and vulnerable vocals that immediately pull you in parallel to falling for someone toxic. It’s a hook that sets the tone for the entire record: Xavi isn’t just singing about lost love, he’s examining the aftermath of the relationship. The reflection into the past displays in the track “El Malo”, where he admits how his ex portrays him as “the bad guy in the story.” A fate of many love stories where people look back and paint a negative picture of the person they once loved.
The Corrido Instrumentals Are the Real Star
Moving deeper into the record, if there’s one thing Dosis absolutely nails, it’s the instrumentation. The guitars on “Cartier”, a fan favorite song featuring Gabito Ballesteros, are layered, rhythmic, and emotionally expressive in a way that makes the harmonies between the two artists feel earned. “Bellaka” leans hard into horns, letting the melody carry the song with confidence. And “SRT”, featuring Fuerza Regida, is a full-throttle corrido moment emulating the feeling of having the car windows down with a similar sound Peso Pluma’s Genesis.
The standout instrumental moment of the album, though, might be “De Salida”. A sparse piano intro gives way to layered guitar and bass as Xavi pours his heart out over a crumbling relationship. The piano returns at the end, bookending the song in a way that feels cinematic and complete. It’s the kind of track that hits you somewhere unexpected.
Genre Experiments That Mostly Pay Off
Yet Dosis isn’t content to stay in one lane, and for the most part, that’s a strength. “La Morrita” featuring Carin Leon throws a cumbia banda curveball that somehow works brilliantly, intertwining traditional norteño and mariachi sounds with modern lyrics. “No Capea” with Grupo Frontera leans into that same cumbia energy and earns its status as a fan favorite; it’s pure party fuel.
“En Privado” with Manuel Turizo goes bachata, and “San Charly” explodes into a beach-party Latin anthem that feels like one is sunbathing on the sand. These are the moments where Xavi proves he’s not just a corrido artist but a versatile storyteller who can make any genre resonate personally.
With an English song closing the record, Xavi proves his versatility. “Find Us Again“, his English debut, gestures at a sad rock country sound that maintains the album’s theme of heartbreak.
The Emotional Core Holds
Underneath all the genre-hopping, what makes Dosis work is how each songs has an emotional center. “Si Fuera Por Mi” is a gorgeous, story-driven corrido about wanting to give someone everything they deserve even without a label. “Miami” layers nostalgia and longing over a clever underwater sonic aesthetic. “Niña Mala” closes the loop on the album’s recurring theme of wanting something that isn’t good for you.
Xavi’s vocals are at their best when the production strips back and lets them breathe. He has a rare ability to make heartbreak feel intimate rather than performative, and Dosis gives him plenty of room to show it.Taken together, Dosis is a confident, emotionally layered sophomore effort that cements Xavi as one of the more interesting voices in Mexican regional music right now. The corrido instrumentals are world-class, the songwriting is sharp, and the genre experimentations show how the artist isn’t afraid to sharpen his craft. With a current tour around Mexico, Xavi is a force to be reckoned with.
I am from Richmond, TX and currently studying communications at the University of Houston. I enjoy drinking peach oolong tea and attending concerts!
