The XX
Country of origin:
England
Type of music generally:
New Wave pop
Status:
Most recent release, I See You (2017)
See also:
The XX's site
Comparisons:
Young Marble Giants, Velvet Underground, Japan
Covers/own material:
Own, occasional covers
General comments:
A group (originally a foursome, now a trio) from London with male/female lead vocals and a kind of moody new wave sound. (Neile)They've been getting big press over here [England], kind of Young Marble Giants/Velvet Underground. They have the benefit of being very different from what's popular at the moment, and as the critics have now tired of the guitar/indie monster that they've spent the last few years helping to create (now referrring, sneeringly, to "indie landfill") this works very much in their favour, so watch this space.
That somewhat cynically said, I was definitely intrigued by their sound—it has a delicate, unpretentious beauty. (adamk@zoom.co.uk)
Comments about live performance:
I accidentally saw them opening for Florence and the Machine last week. Live, they don't exactly rock the house. Their style is suited for a smaller, more intimate venue, a club where you can lean in and pay attention. But market forces dictate, and the powers that be are putting them on in a headlining slot. (adamk@zoom.co.uk)I've also been loving The XX, and even went to see them live at The Greek in Berkeley—it was a great show. The audience near us was *awful*—maybe I'm just getting old—but I was subjected to 19 yr olds asking each other incessantly if they wore this kind of dress or that kind of dress, for HOURS, and then i was subjected to an older group drunkenly shouting at each other throughout the entirety of The XX's performance. This sort of behaviour just does NOT go with The XX's music, which is wonderfully mellow and moody and often quiet and subtle. Drunken loudness was so annoying behind us we eventually left our seats and found somewhere quieter we could stand ∓ listen.
Despite the annoying crowd, The XX were excellent live. The male vocals especially were much better live than recorded. Rich and deep and smooth and lovely. Yum. I'd see them again. (7/13, Jessica Spurling)
Recommended first album:
The XX
Recordings:
The XX
Release info:
2009—Young Turks—YT031CD
Availability:
Wide
Ecto priority:
Highly recommended
Group members:
Romy Madley Croft—guitar, vocals
Oliver Sim—bass, vocals
Jamie Smith—drums, loops, keyboards, guitar
Baria Qureshi—drums, loops, keyboards, guitars
Comments:
The sound of this album is a throwback to the New Wave artists of the late 1970s, most especially to the somewhat affectless sound of Young Marble Giants. Romy Madley Croft and Oliver Sim trade off vocals, often singing lines in response to each other. The sound feels minimalist and straightforward but not at all simplistic. The lyrics seem to be mostly about love and sex, so the subdued singing style makes the songs feel particularly effective because it makes the listener (me at least) really think about the conjunction of the tone and the lyrics. I found their sound utterly refreshing, and have grown to love this album. Highly recommended. (Neile)
Coexist
Release info:
2012—Young Turks—YT080CD
Availability:
Wide
Ecto priority:
Highly recommended
Group members:
Romy Madley Croft—guitar, vocals, keyboards
Oliver Sim—bass, vocals, synth
Jamie Smith—beats, MPC, piano, steel pans, organ
Guest artists:
Ivo Stankov, James Underwood, Sarah Chapman, Charlotte Eksteen—strings (8)
Produced by:
Jamie Smith
Comments:
This one is a little quieter and more mournful, though not at all less poignant than The XX. (Neile)
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