The xx - 'xx' (2009)

1. Intro
2. VCR
3. Crystalised
4. Islands
5. Heart Skipped a Beat
6. Fantasy
7. Shelter
8. Basic Space
9. Infinity
10. Night Time
11. Stars


During the summer of 2009 I was getting excited about the forthcoming, annual trip, to the Electric Picnic festival in Co. Laois. As per usual I was waiting to hear of additional bands being added to the line-up as the date grew closer. Up and coming band of the time, the xx, were announced to the bill so thought I would check them out. This album was the result, and what a pleasure it turned out to be.

Their performance at the Picnic was not the greatest. A small(ish) crowd, in a tent, mixed with the fact that they were playing at 4pm. And when you hear this band you will realise this is not the setting in which their music and stage presence would be ideal. The gig more recently in Belfast was much more suitable. A typical cold winter's night.

So, the xx. A band which consist of 3 members (which used to be 4) from South London honing from the same school which brought the world Hot Chip, Burial and For Tet. Alumni the school should be proud of. The band makes their atmospheric music with a bass, guitar, drum machine and sampler.

As mentioned this album is most suited to a dark and dreary day/night. Not that it's miserable but due to nature of their music. The song 'Intro' opens the album well with a build up of the band's sound. Romy and Oliver (guitar and bass respectively) collaborate in a vocal harmony towards the end of this one and continue to do throughout. The vocals are carried out very well across all songs by essentially having the duo sing back and forth to each other, in a somewhat musical conversation. They usually then join again at the choruses when the song all comes together. Stand out tracks on the album include 'VCR', which contains some lovely xylophone samples and rhythmic bass, first single 'Crystalised' with its slow paced minimalist verses and loud noisy choruses, 'Heart Skipped a Beat' which feels like the album's romantic piece with a superb finale of bass, picked guitar and drums mixed into one, 'Basic Space' which is my favourite track on the album with its slow introduction which turns into a beautiful atmospheric piece, and 'Night Time', the upbeat number on the album with fast drums beats, guitar picking after yet another slow build up. The other songs on the album are not bad as such, but simply not as good as the others. 'Islands' is also up there with the best but the likes of 'Fantasy', 'Shelter' and 'Infinity' are harder to like for me. They are much slower and darker than the other tracks so are more suited to a time of relaxation. 'Fantasy' in particular is certainly one to test the bass handling capabilities of your speakers, headphones and ears.

A thoroughly enjoyable album and probably most enjoyable when either walking home in the rain, or sitting at home with the lights turned down and a bottle of the finest red wine by your side. With intense bass throughout it is probably recommended that you have either a good set of earphones or stereo. It is one to sure annoy housemates/neighbours at loud volumes. With as strong as album as this I feel this is it will hard to top with a follow-up. Saying that I look forward to it with anticipation none the less.