xx

“XX” by the xx (2009) Never heard this album or heard of this group. Minimalist, airy, intentionally lazy, anti-energy vocals, with mechanical bass & drum—not a vehicle for any display of talent, but a cool enough sound. Lyrics rather plain. Guitar work very plain. Kind of a lazy New Wave—like putting Eurythmics and Edie Brickell in a dark room and piping in opium smoke. This album is okay for background music (though it wouldn’t boost production) or to lower my blood pressure. Not the kind of music that would bring an emotional response out of me. I could write more, but I don’t seem to have the energy. 2/5

“Like two shy teenagers, eyes cast downward, awkwardly talking to the ground.”

X-tremely dull

Man we sure did like boring albums in the early 2010s

Oh man did it take a couple listens to appreciate this album. This is FANTASTIC!!! Shhhhh…too loud for this album…(soft voice) it’s fantastic. The first couple times through there was a lot of (train) background noise. The subdued nature of this album is best admired in a quiet setting. The minimalist arrangements are just as, if not more, powerful for what is not there as much as for what is there. The most impactful part of the understated approach is that the parts that would seem “normal” in other music appear conspicuous, emphatic, and flamboyant. And here lies the genius. There is something notable about the vocals that I just couldn’t quite put my finger on. Enter Wikipedia where I saw that some critics describe them as singing not together, but past each other. Building upon that, I have a different take. To me it feels like they are in adjoining studios singing out windows that face the same direction. Close to each other, but separate, yet projecting in the same direction. I could go on and on about all the songs, but I will take a subdued approach and just state that this album is incredible. What a gem!

Not to my taste, this is for lonely middle class girls from the later 2000s.

Intro is an absolute classic track, rest of the album is good too but just pales in comparison to that opening

Due to an accident with the play button, I actually started listening to This Old Tune by James Kant. I was thinking to myself "Hey, I never realised the xx did this! This is cool!". Unfortunately, I realised that I was listening to the wrong thing fairly quickly and actually started listening to the xx and all I can say it's probably one of the less dismal albums to be released between 2002 and 2010. Did I object? No. Would I recommended it to a friend? No. Would I rather be listening to Hugo Kant? Yes. I mean, it's not bad. But it just kind of exists.

I liked the use of ambience and space but it was very lacking in dynamics and excitement.

Damn this shit boring as fuck lol

XX, XXX XXXX X XXX XX XXXX. XXXX XX XXXXX X XXX, XXX XX XXXXXXX X XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXX XX XXXX XXXX. XX XXX XXXXX XXXXXX XXXX XXXXXXXXXX XXXX X XX XXXXXX? XXXX XX XXXXXX XXX XXXXXXX XXXXXX X XXXX XXXX XXXX. XXX? XXX XXXX XXXXX, XXX! XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXXX.

Utterly unremarkable.

An absolute masterpiece of stripped-down, subdued indie pop. The platonic ideal of the genre.

Oh my god this album is so shit. I get how it was popular in 2009 but fuck these songs are so uninspired and bland and tasteless. The bass player is sounds like they’re half asleep why do they take up so much space in the arrangements. The intro is cool but the rest is just wank. What the hell.

Lovely production, the soundscape is wonderful. It's a pleasure to listen to at night with the stereo loud and my eyes closed!

Bedroom indie for your love and aftercare needs.

Ughh. Minimalistic? Yes. Boring? Yes. Will I listen again? No. 2

I've been doing this project for about three weeks now, and this is the first album I didn't particularly like. On paper it seems like something I would enjoy, but I just didn't feel it. The spare compositions on this album are sometimes lovely, with nice, simple foregrounded guitar. But the beats are dated and the vocals really kill it for me. Croft and Sims sound just as bored to be singing these songs as I felt listening to them. Favorite song: Don't really have one. Night Time is probably the most tolerable.

Absolutely love this album. Heard it many times before, I'm guessing I'm probably gonna go 4/5. Shit, maybe a 5. Some absolute bangers. Hmm maybe a 4. Shame I can't do a 4.5. Damn, maybe a 5. Not sure

Ugh, I can't believe I'm about to do this for my first review.... BUT, I was way UP on xx early. I drove 3 hours to see them play a little college show in Columbus, OH with Nosaj Thing. It was astounding. Mo'fuckers are solid gold as far as I'm concerned.

Cool vibe and some decent singles but feels very of it’s year

Honestly think I'd rather listen to Autobahn again, this was just so plain.

Normally when II do this rating I feel obligated, as a critic, to use that sort of objective theory to justify my ratings. It makes sense for two reasons: One is that just saying "I liked/ disllked this" and just a number has little to no meaning to the reader, and two, there is value in learning about the artists and musicians and understanding their place in history as a part of being part of this human world and it is niice to know, if one diid not, about why and how a particualar musician might have a place (at what I call) the head table. With XX I have to admit it matters less the story and more how this band, this genre, these artists just touch my soul. Often this musiic is just pure emotion for me. I can't explain it, but perhaps sometimes that is OK too! Just like that kind of movie that you like for no apparent reason other than it feels just like a pleasure to watch, I love love LOVE this band!

I already love this album, so still love it. Very chill, coherent, and a great duet

This and hot chip kick started my love of electronic music. One of the best album opening tracks

xx This passed me by a bit when it came out, although I do know some of it as I remember it being played a lot in my old office. They do have one trick, but it’s a superbly enjoyable trick, the atmosphere they create with relatively minimal instrumentation is very appealing. Elements of indie, new wave and electronica all tied up with a reverb bow and sung over with almost sheepish, melancholic vocals, kind of directed at each other but also seemingly not quite communicating very well. It never veers too far from that template, but I don’t think it needs to when the overall feel is so immersive, it’s a great headphone listen, a great work listen and, I imagine, a great darkened room listen or a great motorway at 3am as headlights flash by listen. I’m guessing Intro or Stars are ones for Paul’s trains at dusk playlist? Not sure it quite gets to 5 but its easily a high 4 ✖️✖️✖️✖️ Playlist submission: VCR

This was kinda neat. Airy, dreamy, ethereal. I wonder why I haven't heard of these guys.

Yep, this is early 2010s indie. As someone coming of age at the time, there's a certain amount of nostalgia present, and I like a couple songs, but that doesn't prevent this album from being pretty boring.

Ok I have been putting off listening to a bunch of albums bc im judging based on artist name/album cover and im just totally confused and wrong. I thought this was going to be super screamy and I could not be more wrong. I love indie pop but this is kindve underwhelming. Like its not bad and I kinda like it but it feels like the sort of thing thats only on the list bc the British guy that made the list is British

Calming enough, but dissapointed by the lack of progression. Not a lot happens all album long.

Not for me. Same sounds across the entire album. Hits/singles are neat

Nydelig nostalgitrip, elsk.

this album preceded by massive attack—it’s sexy album week!

One of the most beautiful albums of all time, my middle school soundtrack

30th June 2022 Listened while working from home in the office. Went to the oak in the evening. One of the seminal albums of my generation, I remember when it came out and people just went nuts for it. Will always remember watching them at glasto as the sun went down.

Ich hab es gestern Abend auf einer Autofahrt zur späten Dämmerung von Bestwig nach Soest gehört und brooo hab ich es in dem Moment gefühlt. Jetzt gerade hört es sich nur nach vier Sternen an, aber gestern Abend waren es locker fünf und damit gehe ich auch.

"Atmospheric English indie pop" is my vibe. I've heard Intro before but the rest was new to me. Good chill music for working to.

Really consistent, coherent body of work. Nice vibe, clean sounds. A beautiful compromise between simple & interesting

This is good. Has like a Thievery Corporation or Massive Attack kind of feel. I like the co-lead singer approach. Very chill sound. Their general sound is kind of moody so when they so a more upbeat song it has a strange effect. This is the first band that has been a revelation to me in a positive way. I would listen to another album.

Somehow I had only ever heard the introduction track to this album? Bonkers. It's a very cool and beautiful album, I love bands with multiple vocalists and love the callbacks from the intro throughout the album. I won't lie though I did get a little fatigued by the end with the songs blending together.

I bet it went hard for the time. In the current era, it was hard to get through because it sounded so boring

Is it bad that I know the intro from fucking tiktok ? lmao overall chill and atmospheric, a bit too repetitive within and across songs 2.5/5 fav: crystalised, fantasy, night time least: heart skipped a beat

the bass in fantasy is fucking insane. it feels like im standing in the first row of a concert the kinda simplicity is nice because it makes me wanna make music :) great and cohesive album and probably the best (and most iconic) intro to an album ever

This is not a great album but I did like it. A bit background music a bit mood music, I heard bits and pieces of a lot of music in it which came before. I don't see it as breaking new ground unless its in the way it was made. And I must say the clacky rhythm that runs throughout is tiring and unsubstantial. Probably 2.6.

When I refreshed this page to see xx, it received a couple of black eyes for the band name and the album title, on paper a minimalist post-punk flex - with notes of Malevich from the cover art à la mode - but only marginally less gauche than Elon Musk’s branding. The Ex did your name better. So did Kiss. Another black eye after reading that they dismissed their keyboardist in shady circumstances evoked Argus after a pub brawl. But the record’s smart, distinctive, a record collector’s record perhaps, but it has heart and song-shapes that linger, and a dive bar smokiness that distinguishes it from the fragments of post-punk revival that I remember from their contemporaries. (Simon, consider this a probable spoiler for whenever Interpol inevitably skulk into our day.) Baby vomit - actual baby vomit - left me with only one playthrough, so I can’t say if these impressions will endure, but this was a pleasant surprise.

I remember when all my hip friends listened to this album. It's just too...inoffensive for me I guess? Not the biggest fan.

I can't say it's bad, but i def can't say it's good neither. The masterpiece of this album is the intro for a simple reason, no one is singing out of tune on it. The music itself is good, the lyrics talk to me but i've heard better talented whispering singers.

So, I knew of Intro because of it's overuse in ads, Islands because of the OG Rocksmith. I hoped the album had more moments like the outro of Islands, it is chill, but I wanted a bit more of energy. Not saying that it is a bad album, just that it didn't give much more than what I knew beforehand. 2/5 whispers

No combination of words strike more fear into the heart of a man than "English Indie Pop".

The xx, curing insomnia since 2009.

Bang average.

This should be brilliant. But it’s not. Cover art. 5/5 love it

Very empty but not in a comforting but annoying way

It was ok.

I saw a joke online once about how “Minimalism is a scam designed by big Nothing to makes us buy more less” and that’s how I feel about this album. It feels like they repeatedly tried to find the least amount of effort they could put into a song and still call it music. There are times when this works, like in film scoring, but as a standalone album it feels sparse and uninteresting. I would actively skip any song that wasn’t Intro from this album.

This album is so allergic to the idea of emotional commitment that it can barely bring itself to use actual chords, instead substituting single-note guitar lines that could have been written by someone with a week's worth of guitar lessons. The no-effort, monochromatic vocals additionally emphasize the emotionally-neutered nature of this record. The drum machine programming is so minimal here that it probably took an hour, tops. Really, if you can barely muster the energy to write and record your tunes, why bother at all?

34 days in, and I've finally hit my first 1 star. Good lord this is unlistenable. The first track, "Intro" (real clever name for an album that doesn't have a concept), doesn't have any singing. Which is a good thing, because holy shit does the album go downhill once the singing starts. The vocals, which are somehow both way too present, given the sparsity of other instrumentation, and entirely forgettable, sound like they are being sung by two people who are just barely awake. The female singer is louder and easier to hear, but it doesn't make it interesting. The male singer has no compression on his voice, so half of his singing gets buried in the mix. And the majority of the dual singing is just the two of them singing the same melodic line with no attempt at harmonizing, and they're voices don't blend well. And every song sounds like they tried to recall Chris Isaac's Wicked Game from memory having heard it only once. Moody guitars with a pseudo-surf rock sound, slow, plodding beats, total lack of dynamic change across the entire album...gawd this sucked.

No

I thought this is ok, then I thought no its terrible, then I had a biscuit, then I fell asleep, then i woke and had another biscuit, then i thought what would happen if you gave a monkey a flamethrower, then the album finished and i was happy again.

- Very stripped-back/minimalistic - Simple guitar lines which seem to take emphasis over the vocals, distracting from the driving force of the album - Unenthusiastic vocals (bored?) - Romy's vocals can be driving, but most of the time sounds disinterested - Romy and Oliver's vocals do complement each other (evident on 'Islands') - The synth towards the end of 'Islands' compliments the other instrumentation, which should've been used for the rest of the album, evident in 'Intro' which ironically is one of the standout tracks, when it should be setting up for the subsequent tracks - As background music, it partly fulfils its purpose, however, it lacks any driving emotion to make it worth paying particular attention to listen to - The drums and bass sound very mechanic, and the simple, repetitive beats leave much to be desired - 'Shelter' is definitely one of the best tracks, with its evident pop influence, which would have been nice to see shown a lot more throughout the album - The reverbed guitar on 'Shelter' is a tone which should have been utilised more, as it makes an easier listening experience, complimenting Romy's monotonous vocals much more than the dull guitar tone found in the majority of the tracks - Some replay value, however a lot of the tracks do blend, creating a forgettable listening experience - Oliver's vocals are uncommon but can be standout on the tracks he features on, again which would have been nice to see shown more - Good lyrical work, but it can only be praised when reading the lyrics separately, as the vocal work is not particularly standout - At points, I hadn't realised that a new track was playing, as many sounded very similar - The final track has some emotional impact at points, but the minimalistic design and bland vocals doesn't leave anything to be remembered - I looked up synonyms of 'dull', which is never a good sign when writing about an album, but I feel that that word summarises this album entirely, there is no particular standout track, and each track is comprised of simple guitar lines, with mechanical drums and bass, and a very monotonous vocal delivery. I feel like the album had the potential to achieve so much more, maybe if they lent into more of their pop influences, but this album falls flat, achieving no emotional impact. I would consider replaying this album as background music, but it would be difficult to replay it solely for its musical value.

thats great, genius

Extremely good, a classic

One of the best surprises of this list so far. A group I wasn’t familiar with where I absolutely needed to be. Beautiful album

I liked it cuz it would more modern

Stunningly beautiful. Well-produced. Sparse in the best way possible.

It's maybe a teeny bit repetitive, but it's such a good, chill vibe. This is exactly my kind of thing for a midnight listening sesh (which is when I listened) and I might put this on instead of trance etc sometimes in the future.

fire🔥🔥🔥 multiple liked songs

So chill, could listen for days

Wow! I didn’t know I knew this! It’s one of those albums I’ve heard snippets of throughout the years on tv,film, ads and didn’t know. Went on to listen to their full catalog

Intro is exteremely iconic, but realized I haven't listened to anything outside. So far really great modern music.

Genuinely enjoyed this album!

maybe you just had to be there when it came out but goddamn

zero skips

Surprisingly magnetic. Unlike much of what I have gravitating toward in the past, but glad I found it. Crystalized is a standout song on the album for me.

Awesome. Feels kind of like a blend of Cigarettes After Sex, Lorde, and Arctic Monkeys. No-skip album.

I like the simplicity and way the songs are layered and build. I have also always been a sucker for duets. I really liked, I Dare You. Most of the songs were catchy and chill. I liked this album a lot!

This album has been with me forever, am a big xx fan. I ended up listening to their entire discog after this. Ride or die.

Excellent minimalistic synth pop, especially for a debut. Reminds me of Young Marble Giants plus electronica (and 30 years later).

I love this band and I'm honestly not sure why I don't listen to them more. Loved every single song on this album. So much influence - especially in the guitar - from Robert Smith and The Cure. Also influence from New Order/Joy Division. Love the vocals and the music. So glad this popped up and I listened to it from start to finish.

This is good I like the vibes Cohesive catchy songs while also

This album is what you would get if New Order did Dream Pop. Liked it a lot.

What a debut. One of my favourite bands so going to be biased on this one. Arrived fully formed, the opening track is iconic. Album is just perfection. 5

Love it! Classic!

Perfect for hanging out and putting together Christmas Legos

11/10 I don't understand the hate this group gets, but then again I hate Elvis so... 12-10-2025

This album is a modern classic. The songs all use subtlety, quiet and minimalism to create an ambience and mood that lasts the whole album. Each song blends into the next and by the time the album is done it feels like you wish it would keep going. I feel like this is a great example of an album with no bad tracks and that it should be appreciated in its entirety. I also think the synth-electronic sound that they stumbled upon in making this album and used across all of the tracks has had a huge impact on modern music but it feels to me like The xx may have been the first ones to get it right quite this well. I'm sure this also received additional points from me for the nostalgia factor as this was in heavy rotation for a couple years of my life, especially effective in calming the anxieties of a dark and foggy maritime winter.

This was another that was on constant rotation for me back in the early 2010’s. Both Jamie xx and Romy have put out killer solo efforts recently worth your time if The xx are new to you. Pure nostalgia here, easy 5.

Before looking at the reviews, I felt in my heart that it would average a 3.2/5. I totally see it - the lyrics are whispered, the beats are reminiscent of 2009, but thats what makes this album shine. Its the entry point into electronic and house music for mainstream pop fans, and is a mellow entrance into a dance/club style of music that would become popular into the 2010's. 5/5.

How did I not hear this before - it's SUPERB !!

I've known of Jamie xx for a while before we got this album, and all I got to say is that if this is what the beginning of his music career sounds like, I should definitely give the rest of their catalog a shot. 4.5 bumped up to 5.

I’m at a 5. Hell, probably a little higher. Pretty striking minimalism here. I’ve gotten so used to tracks that fill up their soundscape with everything to add as much “depth” as possible, and yet here, that sense of empty space is used to a really, really strong degree. This album doesn’t do anything super complex with its melodies, relying on the presence (in the “aura” sense) of the instrumentation to sell the mood. Everything here is deliberate, whether it’s a simple guitar pattern, some punchier or lighter percussion, or pulling back that instrumentation to let the vocals breathe more. It’s so tightly produced that it’s easy to notice what the album is trying to do, but it’s also easy to underappreciate how effectively it’s doing it, because it does it almost effortlessly. It stems from the usage of the empty space in the tracks; it’s an instrument unto itself, and it’s used really, really well. A number of tracks make the instrumentation quieter, letting that empty space stick out more. Lyrically, this is an album focused mostly on love, but a specific corner of love; namely, the tension that exists in the paranoid little corner of the brain that’s too hesitant to fully commit to a relationship out of previous fears. Some tracks overcome it, others don’t, some take place long after that tension has boiled over in a sad way, and some leave that tension unanswered. In a way, it’s a little bit one-note, and mixed with the generally persistent instrumentation, I can hear how this album might bounce off to some people as one that’s a little too similar for its own good. For my tastes though, I think this album approaches the subject matter with enough musical variation that it never got stale or felt too similar. Part of it comes in the vocals; I really, really like Romy Madley Croft’s vocal style, as she reminds me of Bjork with more of a slight British accent. She harmonizes well with Oliver Sim, and while his vocals aren’t as trained, I think it helps make the tension feel more authentic, since it sometimes feels like they’re talking past each other rather than talking to each other. Overall, the lo-fi, vaguely dreamy tone of the album worked really well for me. I think the lyricism enhances the tracks, but they’re not as necessary to capture the soft-spoken nature of the album. These aren’t confrontational tracks, nor are they angsty or messy. They’re just… complicated. I can’t think of many other albums that leave relationships in such a gray area, with a lot of the anxious, earnest & avoidant honesty intact. Commitment is a struggle, clinging on feels like delaying the inevitable, breakups are tense, & those lingering feelings of regret are really hard to navigate around. This album captures that overall anxiety really well, & it makes a track like “Stars” really stick out as the first truly comfortable relationship portrayed on the album, and a very appropriate closer. I think it’s structured really well to get to that point, and in that sense, it’s a super successful album. If it bounces off from just a musical standpoint, I could understand that, but I think it deserves its flowers. Hence, a 5, if not a bit higher.

A dear album to me, so will hardly be unbiased. One of the better albums from around 2010, without a doubt. Such unique sound and atmosphere. I read that they recorded this mostly during night, which you can definitely hear. The whole album has a mellow mystical feeling to it. The album feels very coherent and complete as well. All songs work in each others favour, and sets each other up nicely. While there are some unexpected turns, there is definitely a red line throughout the album and nothing really feels out of place to me, Strongest songs in my opinion are 'Intro', 'Islands', and 'Shelter'. Though there aren't really any big duds for me, all songs are good in their own rights. Romy and Olivers singing just work so well together as well. Good singers in their own rights, but they also tag team very well and create a cool dynamic together. Easy 5 stars.

It’s hard to describe what a turning point The xx, and similar bands, were for pop music around 2010. Just a few years earlier, festival headliners were almost exclusively big and loud acts. Then, seemingly overnight, bands like The xx could top festival bills instead. It was a significant shift in pop culture. I find it hard to be neutral about this album. I was about 20 when I discovered it, and I met my first girlfriend at a music festival where The xx were playing. Anyway, I think this sound really works—airy, minimalistic, and indie. “Intro” is a great way to start the album, and you can already tell that Jamie xx has a future in electronic music. The vocals work well too, and many songs are memorable, such as “VCR,” “Crystalised,” and “Islands.” My one main gripe with the album is that many of the songs sound very similar. Of the three hits I mentioned above, I sometimes have a hard time telling them apart. The album is barely over 30 minutes long, yet it still manages to feel a bit samey. Probably a four-star album, but for the memories, time, and place, it’s a five-star for me. It will always hold a special place in my heart.

Actually loved this. I knew some of their tracks but didn’t know this was them!

I love this album. It's a bit too short, but they're all bangers. Such a fresh and unique sound that came out of nowhere....unfortunately they could never really capture it again. But Jamie XX's discography has been interesting.

ONE OF THE BEST ALBUMS OF ALL TIME I MEAN C'MON!!! <3

I think this is the first record I bought on vinyl. Very nostalgic but I still listen to it somewhat regularly. Great overall album.

reconnaissable entre mille, ça doit être un des groupes qui a le plus une patte

114/1089 (Relisten) Intro is still iconic. and the rest of the album is really solid and very up my street. not much more to add since i’ve already liked this album for a while. In particular i love a reverby guitar faves: Intro, Night Time, Crystallised 85/100

This was my soundtrack to summer 2011