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From the book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die.

xx

The xx

2009

Buy At Rough Trade
xx
Album Summary

xx is the debut album by the English indie pop band the xx. It was released on 14 August 2009 by Young Turks, an imprint label of XL Recordings, and recorded from December 2008 to February 2009 at the label's in-house studio in London. Producing the album, Jamie Smith of the xx created electronic beats for the songs on his laptop and mixed them in a detailed process with the audio engineer Rodaidh McDonald, who attempted to reproduce the intimate, unembellished quality of the band's original demos. Along with the xx's early R&B influences, the album has drawn comparisons from journalists to alternative rock, electronica and post-punk sounds. Its largely melancholic songs feature minimalist arrangements built around Smith's beats and instrumental parts recorded by the other members of the band, including Oliver Sim's basslines and sparse guitar figures by Baria Qureshi and Romy Madley Croft, who employs reverb in her lead guitar playing. Most of the songs are sung as low-key duets by Croft and Sim, both of whom had written emotional lyrics about love, intimacy, loss and desire. Released to widespread acclaim, xx was named one of 2009's best records and received praise for the band's atmospheric style of indie rock and pop as well as the interpersonal dimension of the performances. Commercially, it performed steadily over its first few years of release, becoming a sleeper hit in the United Kingdom and the United States, and eventually sold one million copies. Although major media outlets had largely ignored the band at first, and none of its singles became hits, xx received greater exposure from the licensing of its songs to television programmes and the band's Mercury Prize win for the album in 2010. Shortly after the album's release, and with differences between Qureshi and the rest of the group leading to her dismissal, the xx continued to play as a trio on a protracted concert tour that helped increase their fanbase, reputation in the press and confidence as performers. xx proved highly influential in subsequent years, as its distinctive stylistic elements were incorporated by many indie bands and top-selling pop acts. One of the most acclaimed records of its era, it has appeared on top album lists published by NME, Rolling Stone and The Guardian.

Wikipedia

Rating

3.43

Votes

12435
Genres
Pop
Indie

Reviews

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Sat Feb 13 2021
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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Tue Dec 21 2021
2

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

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Wed Jun 23 2021
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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Mon Sep 12 2022
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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Thu Sep 07 2023
2

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

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Fri Jul 15 2022
1

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

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Tue Apr 04 2023
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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Sun Jul 25 2021
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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Wed Feb 23 2022
5

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

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Thu Sep 21 2023
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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Wed Mar 02 2022
2

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

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Tue Jul 04 2023
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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Fri Feb 05 2021
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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Mon May 24 2021
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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Wed Sep 15 2021
3

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

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Thu Apr 28 2022
2

Damn this shit boring as fuck lol

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Tue Jul 12 2022
2

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

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Wed Jan 13 2021
5

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

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Mon Feb 22 2021
5

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

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Mon Apr 05 2021
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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Wed Sep 20 2023
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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Thu Nov 16 2023
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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Tue Mar 12 2024
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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Sat May 28 2022
2

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

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Tue Jul 12 2022
2

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

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Thu Mar 07 2024
1

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

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Thu Mar 07 2024
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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Wed Feb 24 2021
5

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

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Wed Feb 24 2021
5

A fantastic album. Nice and nostalgic

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Mon Feb 08 2021
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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Fri Jan 29 2021
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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Wed Feb 24 2021
5

Exxcellent album. Bunch of goths

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Wed Jul 07 2021
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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Fri Jan 29 2021
5

Really loved this album, some of the songs are similar but it all blends together wonderfully.

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Fri Mar 26 2021
5

I've been tuned in to this since Project X. cmon man, everyone should know this album.

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Sat Jun 26 2021
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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Sat Jun 26 2021
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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Wed Jul 28 2021
5

Lo escuche cuando salio, 10 puntos, excelente de principio a fin.

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Wed Aug 04 2021
5

Heard it before. Very unique use of bass. Well put together, the whole album has a "flow" feeling

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Fri Sep 24 2021
5

Muy corto .. Pero un cinco que le doy.

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Sat Oct 23 2021
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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Wed Nov 10 2021
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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Fri Nov 12 2021
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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Tue Nov 16 2021
5

Great intro record for a band with a unique sound.

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Thu Nov 18 2021
5

Another new band for me. Really seem to love this dream pop genre.

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Fri Nov 19 2021
5

Sweet, dreamy, indie pop. Loved it.

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Tue Nov 23 2021
5

Alt J, The xx and London Grammar all very important in my formative years

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Mon Nov 29 2021
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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Tue Dec 07 2021
5

very nice good. 2009 in a very good way

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Tue Jan 04 2022
5

I'd like to give this one 5 stars. So i will.

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Mon Jan 10 2022
5

I absolutely love this album. I’d give it ten out of ten if possible.

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Fri Jan 14 2022
5

Great album with immaculate production. The guitar licks are so identifiable.

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Mon Jan 24 2022
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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Sat Jan 29 2022
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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Sat Jan 29 2022
5

liebe das album! schon sooo oft gehört. lieblingsnummern crystalised und islands

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Mon Feb 07 2022
5

My favorite middle school make-out album

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Wed Feb 09 2022
5

masterpiece, one of the best intros I know, I love every single song

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Thu Feb 10 2022
5

não achei que ia gostar mas gostei!

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Mon Feb 14 2022
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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Tue Feb 22 2022
5

Eu ainda fico esperando a Rihanna entrar quando escuto a intro desse aqui

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Wed Feb 23 2022
5

Possibly on of my favorite albums in the last 20 or 30 years easy.

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Thu Mar 03 2022
5

Great album to chill to. Love it

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Tue Mar 08 2022
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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Sat Mar 12 2022
5

The Intro Is Eternal. Belfarcha I Was Always Looking For It, Never Thought It Was Called INTRO Hhhhhh

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Tue Mar 15 2022
5

Loved the album. Suitable for long drives and romantic encounters.

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Tue Mar 29 2022
5

Brilliant stuff, moody yet detached.

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Wed Apr 13 2022
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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Wed Apr 27 2022
5

This album is very good. Always a pleasure to listen to it.

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Wed May 11 2022
5

So soft and relaxing you could completely dissolve into this album. Love it. Not so complicate but still satysfying.

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Sat May 14 2022
5

Fantastic indie rock album. A must listen

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Tue May 24 2022
5

Chill and classic indie album with several good songs (Intro, Islands, etc.). 4.5 that’s up to a 5 just because of how many songs I have on my playlist already!

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Fri Jul 01 2022
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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Mon Jul 18 2022
5

Great listen chill and enjoyable!

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Mon Jul 18 2022
5

Minimalist electro with deep tones & sleepy vocals. I had forgotten how great this album is. Excellent listen.

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Mon Jul 18 2022
5

This feels like a trip down a highway on a summer night not affected by climate change, windows down,

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Thu Jul 28 2022
5

Awesome album! I love this artist!

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