Music review: The xx is creepy… in the best way possible

Published on March 17th, 2010

Label: Young Turks

Geographical Point Of Supply: London, England

Sounds like: …you should be listening with headphones in the quiet of night.

The usual story: friends form band, make sweet music, hit big time. Okay, so perhaps it is not as common as that. The xx is anything but common. Few bands have ever released as complete an album as xx, let alone at first attempt.

The recent Winter Olympics has given the band a new wind and exposure, so much so that this review hardly seems belated. Sure, the album was released in August of last year, but like a fine cliché, it has simply gotten better with time.

Straight in, the opening track Intro is perfect as it prepares you for everything you are about to experience- a beautifully-paced, hauntingly moody aural experience.

The vocals of Romy Madley Croft and Oliver Sims blend together in a simple, intimate way. So much so, that the listener could be forgiven for feeling guilty of eavesdropping on private conversations.

It is calm and quiet but just spirited enough to avoid the ‘easy listening’ tag. For all the simplicity and whispers, The xx produces a sound too gripping and affective to be considered easy.

The music is thoroughly creepy but in the best way. It is there the album shines, stirring the kind of goose bumps that both disconcert and thrill. Never has creepy been quite so alluring. From the soft back-and-forth of Crystalised to the anxious tension of Night Time, The xx has hit all the right notes for an understated, near-perfect sound.

Verdict: 4/5 – Buy it…now.

Liam Camps

Buy from:
The XX

Comments

  1. Posted by Anonymous on March 18th, 2010, 13:52 [Reply]

    i’m really digging the xx. you should check out melodica melody and me. They are a bit more dubby and folky, but awesome nonetheless: http://www.myspace.com/mmmelodic
    • Posted by Anonymous on March 18th, 2010, 22:11 [Reply]

      Sounds great, not on spotify yet… wait in anticipation.
  2. Posted by bonedog on March 18th, 2010, 13:52 [Reply]

    i'm really digging the xx. you should check out melodica melody and me. They are a bit more dubby and folky, but awesome nonetheless: http://www.myspace.com/mmmelodic
  3. Posted by LaurenceJK on March 18th, 2010, 22:11 [Reply]

    Sounds great, not on spotify yet… wait in anticipation.
  4. Posted by Anonymous on March 22nd, 2010, 19:42 [Reply]

    Great review Camps.
    You know i loved this band from the second i hit play on that same video on youtube and your review describes it perfectly. Great recommend codominator.
  5. Posted by Sandiz on March 22nd, 2010, 19:42 [Reply]

    Great review Camps.
    You know i loved this band from the second i hit play on that same video on youtube and your review describes it perfectly. Great recommend codominator.
  6. Posted by Liam Camps on March 29th, 2010, 18:05 [Reply]

    Will have a listen to Melodica, Melody and Me. Who knows, may even write about it,
  7. Posted by Liam Camps on March 29th, 2010, 18:05 [Reply]

    Will have a listen to Melodica, Melody and Me. Who knows, may even write about it,

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