Xx
The xx were four precocious youngsters from South West London who provide the hushed minimal strokes of Young Marble Giants and early Cure but through the minds of a young act obsessed with the R&B turns of Ciara and Aaliyah, having gone so far as to cover the latter's "Hot Like Fire" as the b-side for their first single, "Crystalised" and having first been picked up after recording a sensational version of Womack and Womack's "Teardrops". XX is an inspired, broken and uplifting record, packed with melancholic charms that recalls the suburban disillusion of the previous Burial records and Portishead's Dummy.
LP
Brand New
Description
Double vinyl LP pressing. 2009 debut album from the London-based quartet who combine beautiful, hushed vocal duets and a brilliantly inventive use of samples and low-end frequencies to produce stark, sweet melancholic Pop. Comprising Jamie Smith, Baria Qureshi, Oliver Sim and Romy Madley Croft, The xx came to prominence with their gorgeous 'Crystallized' single from earlier in the year. The song was possibly the best dueling boy/girl vocal track since... 'Nothing Better' by The Postal Service? 'No Hope For Us' by Arab Strap? Not like we're keen on hyperbole or anything, but The Big Pink and Micachu and the Shapes have both taken the band on tour with them, so they clearly share our excitement over this lot. XL Recordings. 2009.
Tracks Description
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
Details
