The Xx (Album)

Pop/Experimental

The xx is a three piece band comprised of Romy Madley Croft, Oliver Sim and Jamie Smith all hailing from South West London. In the words of the band itself it all started from humble beginnings - "after school, drinking too much Pepsi." The group's debut album, xx, was met with critical acclaim and won the much coveted Barclaycard Mercury Prize in September 2010. Remarkably, The xx are all in their early twenties and have produced lyrics that rival more experienced songwriters. Amazingly simple and sometimes shockingly raw and truthful The xx have produced an album that I feel is easily the best I have heard in the past 5 years.

This is one of those albums that you can turn on and from start to finish you have perfection. The opening track, Intro sets the whole tone for the album. Purely instrumental and lacking nothing you know immediately the xx are on to something. The rush the Intro gives is exquisite and leaves the listener questioning what lies ahead on the other tracks. It's amazing how much a band can "speak" when nothing is being said and how much pleasure the listener can get when given the chance to hear pure abstract sound. In Track 2, VCR the listener get the sense of innocence and light hearted love -- with the lyrics such as, watch things on the VCRs/ with me and talk about big love/ I think we're superstars/ You say you think we are the best thing. The band seems to romance nostalgic items while drawing parallels to love.

Throughout the entire album you just know that you are listening to something special. There is a genius to the musical contemplations that I can never really seem to put my finger on. Track 5, Heart Skipped A Beat is a sweet display of affection and honesty between two people (Romy Croft and bassist Oliver Sim). The back and forth tag line: "sometimes I still need you" between Croft and Sim is perfectly framed by an uplifting beat that only until now, the xx have been able to adequately pound out. Track 7, Shelter was the first song that I had ever listened to by the xx and is by far one of the most beautiful and thought out songs on the album. As if she is having a contemplative conversation with herself Croft gently and seductively sings out " I find shelter in this way/ Under Cover hide away/ Can you hear when I say I have never felt this way/ Maybe I had said something that was wrong/ Can I make it better with the lights turned on. For those of you that have an appreciation or love for Dance/House music I think I can say thank God for the 'Shelter.' I highly recommend listening to Shelter (Death To The Throne Remix). This version is full of bass and ear pounding beats that takes the original song to a whole other level. By far one of the best remixes to ever have been produced.

While each and every song on the xx has its sheer genius the one that takes the gold on the album is "Stars." The landscape of the song is phenomenal. It has these breathy highs and lows. It's appalling yet undeniably sexy. Croft and Sim take gentle turns singing back and forth to one another and you as the listener feel like you are overhearing a couple discuss their their relationship. During the opening of the song Sim sings: I can give it all on the first date/ I don't have to exist outside this place/ And dear, know that I can change with Croft gently singing back: And I can draw the line on the first date/ I'll let you cross it/ Let you take every line I got. The song like many others barely ever reaches above a whisper.

The xx, simply put, just is. The xx embodies what I love and respect about music. It has honesty and integrity. This band isn't afraid of being real and saying whatever is on their mind. Other reviews have pegged this album to be all about sex and I say that is precisely what I respect about The xx. They managed to produce an album that is highly sexual (with or without realizing it) and seductive with the utmost grace and integrity. This is an album that I believe should be listened to from start to finish by anyone who truly loves indie music and has an appreciation for truly original and unique sound.

http://www.thexx.info

Recent work from xx members:

Currently, Jamie xx (Jamie from the band) has made an album, reworking Gil Scott-Heron's 'I'm New Here.' It's to be called 'We're New Here' and will be out on February 21, 2011.

To hear the first track 'NY Is Killing Me' visit: http://www.werenewhere.com/