[Young Turks: 2009]The Xx are four 19 year olds from London. Yeah 19, WTF. So after I got past their over-achieving ways I found myself listening to one of the best debut albums of 2009. For those who need a reference point the Xx have a sound reminiscent of early portishead and Joy division but then there are the two vocalists. Romy Croft’s graceful vocal licks and Oliver Sim’s understated mellow tones randomly take turns with each verse. And when they decide to come together in harmony with such effortless ease it borders on some wonderful-kind-of-lazy.
Then there’s the beats. Jamie Smith the man behind this creates minimalistic noise drawing from contemporary hip hop , dub and electro. These elements are used sparingly along with the planned placement of silence to create a beautifully effective laid back sound.
It’s funny this album never really gets out of the one gear, it starts as it finishes, but lucky for us the whole album is a climax in itself.
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