His long-awaited return...
23 · 10 · 2025
Miguel’s eagerly anticipated new album has already become a topic of discussion among fans and in the music industry. Delayed, postponed, and cancelled more times than anyone can remember, the West Coast R&B icon appeared to be stuck in a creative limbo. It’s been eight years since ‘War & Leisure’ in 2017, a span during which Miguel’s marriage ended, he became a father, and embraced Transcendental Meditation. It has certainly been quite a period.
‘Caos’ finally marks the conclusion of one chapter and the beginning of another. Fifteen years after his debut, it injects fresh energy into his career after several setbacks. There’s enough within to remind listeners of the brilliance of his earlier works, though at times it embodies the chaotic essence of its title, resembling a combination of several albums rather than a single cohesive project.
Now, for the highlights. The intense opening and title track ‘Caos’ showcases real-time change, with Miguel’s voice delivering impactful lines. Violence serves as a recurring theme – in a note, he asserts that transformation and destruction are fundamentally intertwined – with ‘RIP’ and ‘Triggered’ reflecting this notion.
Capped at 12 tracks, it avoids the excess often seen in contemporary streaming albums. Ironically, this brevity doesn’t lend ‘Caos’ a greater sense of cohesion – ‘Perderme’ feels oddly disconnected from its context, while ‘Always Time’ seems somewhat lacking.
Still, ‘Caos’ doesn’t need perfection to leave a memorable impression. ‘Angel’s Song’ is profoundly moving, showing that Miguel remains an exceptional R&B artist with genuine vocal strength. ‘Oscillate’ is incredibly well-developed, while the closing track ‘Comma / Karma’ features West Coast artist collaborating with P-Funk legend George Clinton – it’s quite the experience.
Perhaps the most significant achievement of ‘Caos’ is its very existence. Miguel has navigated his way through a challenging period and emerged renewed, exploring a range of ideas along the way. Various versions of the album have been shared with the media over the past eight years, only to fade away. This completed project signifies a clear break from the past – ‘Caos’ is a striking, though imperfect, expression from the heart.
7/10
Words: Robin Murray
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Miguel's highly anticipated new album has already become a topic of discussion among fans and within the music industry. It has faced numerous postponements, delays, and cancellations more times than anyone can count.
