Feb 13 2021
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2
“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
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Apr 20 2021
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2
X-tremely dull
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Dec 21 2021
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2
“Like two shy teenagers, eyes cast downward, awkwardly talking to the ground.”
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Jun 23 2021
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5
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!
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Sep 07 2023
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2
Man we sure did like boring albums in the early 2010s
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Sep 12 2022
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2
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.
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Jul 15 2022
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1
Not to my taste, this is for lonely middle class girls from the later 2000s.
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Apr 04 2023
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1
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.
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Jul 12 2022
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2
I liked the use of ambience and space but it was very lacking in dynamics and excitement.
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Jul 04 2023
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2
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.
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Feb 23 2022
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5
An absolute masterpiece of stripped-down, subdued indie pop. The platonic ideal of the genre.
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Sep 21 2023
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4
Intro is an absolute classic track, rest of the album is good too but just pales in comparison to that opening
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Jan 04 2022
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2
Utterly unremarkable.
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Jul 25 2021
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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.
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Mar 02 2022
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2
Ughh. Minimalistic? Yes. Boring? Yes. Will I listen again? No. 2
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Apr 28 2022
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2
Damn this shit boring as fuck lol
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May 24 2021
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5
Lovely production, the soundscape is wonderful. It's a pleasure to listen to at night with the stereo loud and my eyes closed!
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Feb 05 2021
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5
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.
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Sep 15 2021
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3
Cool vibe and some decent singles but feels very of it’s year
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Feb 24 2021
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5
This and hot chip kick started my love of electronic music. One of the best album opening tracks
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Feb 22 2021
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5
I already love this album, so still love it. Very chill, coherent, and a great duet
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Jul 07 2021
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5
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
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Mar 09 2024
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4
Bedroom indie for your love and aftercare needs.
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Jan 13 2021
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5
Really consistent, coherent body of work. Nice vibe, clean sounds. A beautiful compromise between simple & interesting
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Feb 08 2021
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5
"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.
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Apr 05 2021
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5
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.
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Jul 01 2022
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5
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.
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Jun 28 2024
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5
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!
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Jul 08 2024
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4
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.
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Jul 11 2024
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4
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.
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Sep 20 2023
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3
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.
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Nov 16 2023
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3
I remember when all my hip friends listened to this album. It's just too...inoffensive for me I guess? Not the biggest fan.
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Mar 12 2024
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3
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.
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Jul 03 2024
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3
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.
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May 28 2022
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2
This should be brilliant. But it’s not.
Cover art. 5/5 love it
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Jun 21 2022
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2
Bang average.
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Jul 12 2022
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2
Not for me. Same sounds across the entire album. Hits/singles are neat
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May 18 2024
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2
Calming enough, but dissapointed by the lack of progression. Not a lot happens all album long.
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Sep 09 2024
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2
The xx, curing insomnia since 2009.
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Sep 28 2024
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2
No combination of words strike more fear into the heart of a man than "English Indie Pop".
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Mar 07 2024
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1
Honestly think I'd rather listen to Autobahn again, this was just so plain.
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Mar 07 2024
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1
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.
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Sep 28 2020
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5
Loved it.
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Feb 13 2021
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5
4.6
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Feb 24 2021
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5
A fantastic album. Nice and nostalgic
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Mar 16 2021
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5
XXXXXXXXXX
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Jun 06 2021
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5
Really nice, chill music
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Feb 21 2021
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5
Make out music for sure
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Jan 29 2021
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5
2009, Indie Pop, Indie Rock, Dream Pop: Sehr starkes Album, ich catche den Vibe ziemlich krass. Funktioniert perfekt als Album, eines der besten Alben, die ich jemals gehört habe. "Intro" ist perfekt, krank gutes Lied. Starke 4 bis 5.
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Jan 19 2021
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5
Gran álbum
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Feb 06 2021
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5
Xxcellent
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Feb 24 2021
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5
Exxcellent album. Bunch of goths
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Jan 30 2021
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5
VERY GOOD, LOVED IT
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Feb 08 2021
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5
Great album
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Jan 29 2021
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5
Really loved this album, some of the songs are similar but it all blends together wonderfully.
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Jul 06 2021
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5
Great album
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Mar 24 2021
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5
Love It 💕
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Mar 26 2021
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5
I've been tuned in to this since Project X. cmon man, everyone should know this album.
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Jul 18 2021
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5
A very 2000s album.
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Jun 26 2021
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5
Admittedly this album has grown a lot on me over the years, but its outstanding.
Simple but powerful and evocative. 10 great songs with a nice buffer (Fantasy) seperating them in the middle.
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Jun 26 2021
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5
Intro is one I definitely heard but not sure where as not just from when Rihanna sampled it anyway love it
xylophone!
music with alternating vocals and especially Male and female or low and higher pitch is something I love
Islands is another one I know, i have a feeling this was ab album i listened to when it came out and i just lost it over the years but love it
Basic Space reminds me of regina Spector the female vocalist parts I mean
Jamie xx has been all over music I have listened to over the years and really ties this album together
such a catchy album
just calling it out as its unusual but both singers are gay and given they are Male and female singing back and forth I am sure a lot of their music has be misinterpreted but it stands on it's own definitely
this 1001 albums has made me discover a lot of music but this is the first re discovery as this is definitely sitting on an old ipod or creative zen or somewhere of mine
5 today but could bounce back and forth as a 4.5 probably as 1 to 5 rating is hard
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Jul 28 2021
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5
Lo escuche cuando salio, 10 puntos, excelente de principio a fin.
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Aug 04 2021
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5
Heard it before. Very unique use of bass. Well put together, the whole album has a "flow" feeling
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Sep 24 2021
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5
Muy corto .. Pero un cinco que le doy.
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Oct 23 2021
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5
Apart from the intro song, I did not remember this album as well as I thought I would, and it did take a little while to get used to the sound again. In the end, I did enjoy it as much as back in 2009. I love the low-key but soulful performance of both vocalists, accompanied by the minimalistic electric guitar melodies and similarly sparse atmospheric electronic elements. Great album.
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Nov 09 2021
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5
Sparse and atmospheric
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Nov 10 2021
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5
Great Introduction. It’s currently the artists most streamed song on Spotify, rightly so. Simplistic instrumentals, but smooth flowing. Mellow.
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Nov 12 2021
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5
I liked it! Unique and good sound. Good vocals. Would definitely listen again. The songs that automatically played after were cool too.
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Nov 16 2021
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5
Great intro record for a band with a unique sound.
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Nov 18 2021
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5
Another new band for me. Really seem to love this dream pop genre.
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Nov 19 2021
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5
Sweet, dreamy, indie pop.
Loved it.
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Nov 23 2021
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5
Alt J, The xx and London Grammar all very important in my formative years
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Nov 29 2021
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5
aquí podemos ver como el capital se apoderaba de todo lo que no había tocado: nuestras identidades, el amor propio, nuestros pensamientos más íntimos, la nostalgía. yo me acuerdo de cómo fue. ahora solo queda una huella de nostalgia. este disco lo tengo asociado con la guerra también. Gran debut. Sonaba como a nada en ese momento: indie, R&B, Young Marble Giants. Recuerdo que lo odiada, hoy me parece brillante y hasta naif.
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Dec 07 2021
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5
very nice good. 2009 in a very good way
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Dec 09 2021
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5
Atmospheric as fuck
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Jan 03 2022
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5
Beautiful
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Jan 04 2022
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5
I'd like to give this one 5 stars. So i will.
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Jan 06 2022
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5
track 1 and 2 were great
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Jan 10 2022
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5
I absolutely love this album. I’d give it ten out of ten if possible.
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Jan 14 2022
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5
Great album with immaculate production. The guitar licks are so identifiable.
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Jan 24 2022
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5
xx is one of the nicest alternative electronic music album I have listened in some time, the voices, lyrics, melody construction, everything makes the album very interesting.
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Jan 29 2022
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5
liebe die transparenz und das understatement, stellt die (instrument) Melodien schön in den Mittelpunkt. Wie ein Werbespot für Reverb Effekte. FM4 Mukke pur. sehr intim und nachdenklich. Infinity klaut frech Wicked Game :-D Die Harfen auf Heart Skipped a Beat mega, und der Drumtrack auch (der einen Beat skipped :-) )
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Jan 29 2022
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5
liebe das album! schon sooo oft gehört. lieblingsnummern crystalised und islands
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Feb 07 2022
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5
My favorite middle school make-out album
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Feb 09 2022
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5
4.5, slightly closer to 5
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Feb 09 2022
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5
masterpiece, one of the best intros I know, I love every single song
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Feb 10 2022
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5
não achei que ia gostar mas gostei!
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Feb 14 2022
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5
02/13/22
Omg what a surprise to see this pop up. Throwback to minimal “low-effort” indie pop/rock. Olds will hate it, of course, but it’s a great, dreamy album.
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Feb 22 2022
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5
Eu ainda fico esperando a Rihanna entrar quando escuto a intro desse aqui
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Feb 23 2022
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5
😍
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Feb 23 2022
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5
Possibly on of my favorite albums in the last 20 or 30 years easy.
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Mar 03 2022
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5
Great album to chill to. Love it
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Mar 04 2022
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5
Sexy
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Mar 08 2022
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5
Rating: 10/10
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Mar 08 2022
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5
One of my all time favourite records, so a totally biased 5 stars. My go to album when on a plane, headphones in, eyes shut, blast this and chill the fuck out.
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Mar 12 2022
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5
The Intro Is Eternal. Belfarcha I Was Always Looking For It, Never Thought It Was Called INTRO Hhhhhh
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Mar 15 2022
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5
Loved the album. Suitable for long drives and romantic encounters.
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Mar 29 2022
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5
Brilliant stuff, moody yet detached.
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Apr 13 2022
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5
Didn't realise that The xx have been around since 2009! It feels like they only really came into consciousness in the last few years (being 2022 atm), but upon reflection it really has been a long time!
The xx have a way of making music that just slips into you consciousness and take over your soul without you even noticing it's there.
Best: Intro; Shelter
Worst: N/A
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Apr 27 2022
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5
This album is very good. Always a pleasure to listen to it.
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