xx, The: The xx LP

The XX arrive with their debut album XX, a whole new sound of love, loss, and longing. The XX are a London quartet, featuring the dual lead vocals of Romy Madley Croft and Oliver Sim (who also play lead guitar and bass guitar), Baria Qureshi (keyboards and guitar), and Jamie Smith (beats, MPC sampler). The four twenty-somethings are childhood friends who formed the XX while attending southwest London’s Elliot School, an academy whose alumni also includes such acclaimed boundary-pushers as Burial, Four Tet, and Hot Chip. Bonding over a shared love of dark, emotive 80s guitar sounds and the high-end sheen of American R&B, the XX’s unique sound befits a band that draws from a wide range of influences.

In an effort not to draw too much distance from the DIY aesthetic of their early demos, which were recorded in their bedrooms, they recorded their debut album under no one’s watch, other than engineer Rodaidh McDonald, at XL Recordings’ west London in-house studio. The result is a wash of sexy, coy, and sparse rhythms and melodies that pay tribute to the likes of Robert Smith, Massive Attack, and The Streets.

The vinyl pressing features a die-cut cover and a bonus track cover of “Hot Like Fire." Includes an MP3 coupon for free album download.

"Debut of the year? Likely so. The U.K. foursome’s blend of co-ed vocals, soulful pop, and minimalist melodies hints at a modest sophistication that so many fellow indie bands desire but few achieve. On the surface, the XX’s sparse rhythms and sensual phrasing don’t seem like much, but the appeal is in how the band manages to do so much with so little. Absolutely charming." -Bob Gendron, TONE Audio, 2009's Best Records, Issue 25