xx

Sooooooooo gooooood. A touch haunting, it creates a seriously seductive mood. Low lights, low levels, perfect atmospheric sounds with great vocals. Should be 5 of 5, but I'm holding back on that for now. So a very strong 4 out of 5. the strongest 4 possible. Heck, I may upgrade to 5. The music is simple, often quiet, delicately layered instruments that cut through you conciousness with understated simplicity.

Fantastic album, loved it as a teen and still holds up today

Today’s album is a pleasant surprise - my most played album as a 15/16 year old, this is getting a low 5 because listening to it hundreds of times means I know and cherish every note, even if it feels less groundbreaking to me now than it did back then

One of my most listened to albums of all time. Seen 'em live. Own the vinyl.

I know this album... Intimately. Sultry, groovy, and cool. Love everything about it. The vocals play so well together. Not one of the GOAT albums, but pretty perfect to me. 4.75/5.

Great album. I have a copy on vinyl and should listen more to it. Excellent songs.

Simple but great

I miss when my Spotify discover weekly sounded like this. Top tier lay on the floor in dark music

Alt for længe siden! Den her bringer virkelig nogen minder tilbage. Kun bangere, perfekt produktion.

The xx debut album xx was released in 2009. I have been a fan since the first time I heard them. Their blend of indie pop and dream pop is perfect. I like Romy Madley Croft's vocals, especially when Oliver Sim joins in with her. And to make it even better Jamie Smith aka Jamie xx is a genius of a musician. My favourite songs are "Fantasy", "Shelter", and "Crystalised". Is it just me or does "Infinity" sound like a Chris Isaak song? And why wasn't he included in the list of 1001 Albums? The song is probably my least favourite, yet it is still a decent song. Speaking of songs that sound like other songs, "VCR" sounds like a David Bowie song. I think it reminds me of "Heroes". Overall, I like the whole album. It was a great debut album. I love the vocals from Sim and Croft. 9.5/10.

Brought me right back to high school. Love this album

Obra con intro inmortal

Great listen. Looked into their group. They have a great sound. For sure will place in my rotation.

Watching them perform at Couchella last weekend really cemented their singular sound and quiet prowess. All three of them went on to have distinct, successful careers in different corners of electronic and dance music, and yet their chemistry created an intimate indie album that doesn’t have many parallels in terms of production.

Endlich wieder einmal ein Höhepunkt! Sauber gemachte minimalistische Musik die gefällt.

solid album

obrigada por salvar minha vida, 1001 albums

Beautiful

Such a good album!

One of my favorite albums

Superb indie album from start to finish. Loved it when it first came out and continue to love it today

Took my Brest away

Открытие. Прослушал 3 раза. Непонятно почему это назвали попом.

Hell of a debut and nostalgic as can be.

5/5!!

Genialidad para todos los estados de ánimo y momentos que podás experimentar. De los mejores álbums debut de la historia.

Bardzo dobre. 4 lub 5

Solid album, chill vibes not a bad track on it.

Mi favorito hasta el momento, pega muchísimo conmigo, los ritmos son tan tranquilos, tan melancólico. Por momentos se siente tan personal que lo lograr apreciar de otra manera. 9.5/10.

Every one of us goes through that music discovery period, when you have enough time & energy to keep up with current musical releases. For me this was the last great album of that era. Minimalistic, vibes only and 17 years later (wow, where has the time gone) it still sounds fresh to me.

One of the most millennial coded albums out there, particularly with Intro, which just seemed to show up everywhere in the years that followed and continues to be a playlist staple. This one is for all my fellow tumblr addicts back in the day who posted songs like Crystalized and Fantasy so you could let everyone know you’re sad and alone at 2AM.

QUE ÁLBUM BOM

Definiu uma era

electric

One of my favorite albums, lovely memory of times in highschool

Really enjoyed this one. Will listen to again

Pretty great. I listened to it years ago and it’s still pretty great

Amazing listen, high production and thought. 10/10 late night drive album

peak music

Love the killers. They were my first concert when i was 14 so this brought back memories!

I like it not so much for the music, but for the feeling of nostalgia that this album gives me.

2026.02.06

Really neat and tidy. It was difficult to listen with fresh ears because this was huge at the time. It feels very precisely arranged. I'm not really a fan of the too-cool-to-sing vocal style, but if ever there's a place for it, maybe it's here. The tones and atmosphere are brilliant

Great album

Great uplifting tunes, thx!

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

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

I love this band! I discovered them at a live show and have been a huge fan ever since.

This was my soundtrack to summer 2011

masterpiece

Love this album.

Really good, moody, breathy pop. 5/5

Loved it back then and still really enjoy it. Perfect album.

The other album by this band is really questionable for inclusion, but I think this is a great album with a cool sound that was really fresh at the time, combining dream pop, indietronica, and alternative R&B. I like the icy minimalism of the music, combined with the sultry vocals of Romy and Oliver. At times, it kind of seems like a modern, more realized take on Young Marble Giants. I think there's numerous standouts here including "Intro", "Crystalized", "Heart Skipped a Beat", and "Infinity". One of the best albums of 2009. 5 stars.

xxting

Oh my god, this took me back to 2009. I love this album, I think what the xx was so innovative: melancholic atmosphere with minimalism in which you can pay attention to the most of what's happening at the song. I feel this list don't give credit to newer artists, but this album they nailed. The Phoebe Bridgers, Gracie Abrams and even Billie Eilish wouldn't do their whispered vocals if this album didn't exist. Also what would it be of Alt-j's experimentation? 5/5 And I still pray this trio will do an amazing album like this again

Quite an original sounds, keeping me hooked throughout the album.

really on my xx roll rn...just listened to jamie xx on how long gone etc

English indie pop. Excellent post-house music electronic pop. Favorite Tracks: Intro VCR Islands Shelter

Banger.

I’ve always loved “Intro” and it’s no surprise they built their fanbase by licensing their music to TV. Very “Moby” of them.

i love this album

One of my favourite albums. Both singers have great voices that work so well with the music. Very mellow and chill with some good beats. Best experienced through speakers or headphones.

The xx are dope!! Yeah I can 🪏them It’s like a cross between Chris Isaack and Phantomgram🥰🥰🥰

calme et appaisant, super ambiance

Des accords si simples pour une musique tellement agréable. Un son de guitare/synthé je sais pas trop qu’ils ont réussi à réinventer dans plusieurs morceaux différentes pour un résultat tout aussi magique. Pour moi, « Intro » c’est LA musique chill de papa par excellence. J’ai pas trop l’habitude d’écouter l’album entier mais honnêtement tout va dans chacune des musiques, c’est limpide, c’est fluide, c’est wow. Les 2 voix se complètent totalement tout en laissant des morceaux entiers instrumentaux. C’est un album indispensable pour moi et je ne peux mettre que 5.

ça faisait longtemps que je l'avais pas écouté mais un vrai banger

Boy I remember discovering this during a highschool breakup. Have it on vinyl, never heard anything like it at that time. It's a 5 for me

Brilliant album, great band

Perfect for working and writing!

I think this sounds so good mostly because it’s so distinctive from everything else on this list. That said, the instrumentation, production, and vocals really cohere to create the intended vibe.

I was only familiar with the opening track (which I love) but never listened to the whole album. Love it. Effortlessly cool and the guitar sound is awesome. Favorites: Intro, Crystalised, Islands, Basic Space Would I listen to it again: Yes

Beautiful. One of the defining albums of its era.

I’ve heard this album before. Love it!

Woah

Fantastic album with a very, very strong start.

Mogelijks de beste intro ooit. En de rest is ook fantastisch. Ik hoop op een comeback. 5.0

This album has such a unique sound. The instruments perfectly set the stage for the lyrics, the male female performance is beautiful. This felt like a musical journey through the life of 2 people and it blew me away. What a fantastic 38 minutes, short but doesn't let down at all. Stunning!

Strong start that ultimately ends up leveling out by the end, but overall a fun listen! Insane that 'Intro' is so iconic and is just the intro! Easily my fave from the lot.

Un classique personnel, que j’ai déjà écouté au moins 50 fois en 2009-2010. L’album de mes 21 ans. J’aime tout de cela, des beats de Jamie XX au duo de voix masculines et féminines, toutes en douceur, presque chuchotées. La guitare subtile, un peu reverb, ajoute l’aspect dreamy à l’album. Ça faisait longtemps que je l’avais écouté. Une belle nostalgie personnelle!

I never listened to this Band before today. I really like the chill mood of the album

Xxx

Büro, Heidenheim, Deutschland. Tolles Album!

I've never listened to this album in its entirety straight through, but through the years, turns out I know well over half, maybe 2/3, of the songs. Shows how pervasive this album was and remains. Love the dual lead-singer and how they play off each other the entire album. Great music feel, very simple at times, with great layering to build different feels. I love the use and non-use of the bass register throughout the album.

Этих ребят я давно расслушал и поставлю максимальную оценку вне зависимости от текущего мнения.

I have a clear bias toward albums of the tumblr era but I do not care

Would give 6 stars if I could

I really couldn't decide if I was going to give this a four or a five, but in the end it was a unique enough sound and I found myself relistening to it enough times that I went with a 5. The formula is simple enough, I mean that it is not cluttered. Nothing is complicated, and then the band just cranks the reverb to 11, but I it was fresh to my ears despite having many introductions to the album and the band. Also one of the most memorable intro songs I've heard.

9/10

Great album, shame they've never really lived up to it since

Stripped down and breathy with driving beat adds up to some surprisingly moving shoegazesque atmosphere

Just phenomenal

I loved this album when it came out - it was something a little different, just super stripped back and chilled. Still brilliant

It's been a few years since I've listened to this album. I gave it a couple of goes and I think it just about deserves a 5 from me. I've never been a fan of either Romy or Jamie xx's solo stuff but this laid back indie hits a spot.

Plus 1 for being the soundtrack of kitchens in my late teens and early twenties

bangers

was already familiar with it. but one of my favs still

I can’t even tell if this is “good” but it is so deeply nostalgic

Very enjoyable. Loved the record, loved the style

Really loved this album

i was so excited to get this one! the crystallized epitome of a time that would retroactively be rebranded Indie Sleaze. i love the spare, eerie quality that the harmonies have paired with the sparse instrumentation. i waffled between a 5 and a 4 but my nostalgia for early Tumblr is pushing me to a 5.

En av mina favoriter för alltid

Conocía crystalized, nunca les di más oportunidad. A Cam joven les habrían gustado.

One of my faves. Easy album to listen to.

💯

Chill minimal indie electronic.

One of the best albums ever

Superb from start to finish. Just a great vibe. Simpsons: No

Another album that I listened to and forgot to rate. Very good vibes.

I checked last.fm and I've listened to this album almost 100 times in my life (mostly from high school and college) and it still holds up. The xx taught me how valuable pace and sparsity can be in an album. When you aren't layering instrumentation, even silence starts to sound like an instrument. Every single song on this album is a 5/5 for me, and unless you start blending songs from Coexist into the track list, you would never want to shuffle the album. Now back onto my soap box about how too many of these albums are too long: this xx album is 38 minutes; 3 years later, they release their 2nd album which is 37 minutes; another 5 years goes by, and they release a 39min album. In 8 years, the xx didn't waste a single second of my time. That's the blue print for all these albums that are over 60 minutes with filler junk songs. I understand why Katy Perry is writing garbage songs to fill up space between her singles on albums, but why are these 1001 top albums trying to fill up so much space? Anyway, this is a 5

Sometimes less is more.

Amazing album, blew me away upon its release.

What a beautiful record. It always takes me back to a specific time and place. This is the record that opened the floodgates and inspired many other acts from Phantogram to London Grammar.

Fantastic. All time fave

Banger

One of my favorite albums. Reminds me of studying in college.

This album - you're sitting in a dark, ambient cocktail lounge on a pleather couch in "insert cool city here". A 23 year old with a lip piercing is DJing on their MacBook Pro that their parents bought them. A woman sitting next to you, who smells like perfume, cigarettes and vodka, is telling you about her families candle business in Ohio. This is the album playing. 5 stars.

Love this album

Non stop classic bangers

one of my all-time favs, love this record

Quiet and romantic, a surprise favorite

Album is great, but the last songs idk i think I dont get them

I audibly screamed when it was generated. It was ON REPEAT during the panini. Beautiful memories

Alright I know I'm an easy 5 but this is one of my favorite albums of all time. Yeah, I know this is like, top three defining albums of my high school years, but it still holds up as a sadboy masterpiece. Jamie XX's production is impossibly clean through every inch of this album, with songs sounding crisp and new and some, like Night Time, building to a climax that sounds incredible. This is one of those albums I both love and am confident belongs on this list, a masterpiece of sad indie that shaped the 2010s and propelled the career of one of the best producers of the 2010s. Also, I mean, this album has 0 skips. Not one skip on it, its incredible.

5/5. A duo vocal arrangement over some minimalist and laid back beats is the album. And it works really well. It does have an undertone of generic folk pop duo but it skirts by and it is all due to Jamie XX great production and beats. He makes it sound less like indie pop and more electronic R&B. Romy is clearly the better collaborator but even still, each song is just so strong yet so quiet. The album doesn't overstay it's welcome and comes and goes like a meditative moment. Best Song: Crystalized, Islands, Shelter, Intro

Entirely different new genre of music that im getting into and this was the beautiful intro.

like being on romantic space drugs

Some of the most recognizable tracks ever. Never knew the band!

Soundtrack to being a tumblr indie white girl in 2009 but in the best possible way. Flawless record.

If you want your kid to end up in a successful indie-electro outfit, you could do worse than enrolling them at the Elliott School in London. This unassuming institution has produced Hot Chip, Burial, and, crucially for this review, The xx. When xx dropped in 2009, I had just experienced the unexpected—yet entirely predictable—breakup of my long-standing relationship. Fitting, then, that this album’s hushed, spacious aesthetic was everywhere, soundtracking introspection in dimly lit bedrooms and late-night bus rides. xx is defined by its stark, deliberate use of silence, creating an atmosphere where every note, every breath, feels weighty. Jamie xx was just 19 when he produced it, his style subtle but essential—blending R&B rhythms, post-punk guitars, and electronic textures into something deeply intimate and nocturnal. The magic lies in the interplay between Romy Madley Croft and Oliver Sim. Their hushed, almost whispered delivery feels less like a performance and more like a conversation—like they’re singing to each other as much as to the listener. That intimacy carries through on tracks like Crystalised, with its sharp, interlocking melodies, or Islands, a deceptively simple track that spirals into obsession. VCR feels almost lo-fi in its nostalgia, while Infinity stretches heartbreak across an aching, reverberating riff. And then there’s Intro—so omnipresent in film, TV, and sports montages that it’s become a cultural touchstone. More than just a snapshot of 2009, xx laid the groundwork for a wave of artists blending indie, electronica, and R&B minimalism—James Blake, London Grammar, even mainstream acts adopting its quiet-loud dynamics. While many indie albums of that era have faded, xx still holds up. It’s a mood, a moment, and, for me, a memory.

The beauty of this album lies in its simplicity and its effortlessness. What is present on this album that is lacking in the follow-up albums is the sense of no expectations and freedom to create without the knowledge that this would become one of the most important albums to come out at the end of the Naughts. The album has a sense of nostalgia (see - VCR) whilst all the same sounding new and fresh. Not a simple feat.

I feel the ocean, the wind. Makes me feel ethereal.

Really like this a lot!

Superb.

This album has been stripped back to its simplest sound in the best way possible. Every note and beat feels like its inclusion was considered in depth. The resulting sound is spacey and eerie and the vocals are amazing.

This is a fantastic album. The tone of guitars across the album incredible, simple, effective 5 stars

Guilty pleasure music. I know exactly what it’s gonna sound like and what the lyrics will be because it’s 00’s indie pop, but I can’t help it. I liked it. It’s not actually a 5, but I enjoyed too much of it. Standouts: Intro, VCR, Crystallised, Islands, Heart Skipped A Beat, Shelter, and Nighttime.

5 stars

It's giving cozy dark indie rock and I love it!

Classic - still think of it as a recent album and one of the few current artists that I follow - turns out it came out in 2009...

This has been a favourite of mine since it's release. I love the sparse nature of the album, and Romi's voice is a thing of beauty.

Melodic, beautiful, haunting.

The definition of a vibe - lush but restrained, almost understated but so exacting in the message and its delivery. Wild to think this is from 2009 - the influences are clearly everywhere in pop and dance music, but this album still sounds so fresh. It's strange how this can be so fresh and be so nostalgic at the same time. I was not aware of this album in 2009, and really only discovered The xx following Jamie xx's solo project, so I don't even have true nostalgia associated with the music, it just curates that feeling so well. I don't know if there's a deep longing in the music or if there's a deep understanding of the simple aspects of love and longing.

Another timeless classic

The instruments on this album were beautifully paced and composed. Worth a dedicated slow listen through on this one.

Eines meiner Lieblingsalben, könnte ich durchgehend hören. vor allem Intro, crystalised, Islands, Heart skipped a beat.

Schwer zu beurteilen. Erinnerte mich an den Soundtrack von Disco Elysium. Kann verstehen wenn man es mag oder nicht mag. Songs der Playlist hinzugefügt: Keine

fairly short and concise, well put-together, and not exactly the type of music I'd ordinarily listen to. I had heard this one before and I do enjoy it, thought it was something I wouldn't want to come back to, but I was pleasantly surprised the second time around. There's not a moment on this album I didn't enjoy this time around.

Loved this when it was new and again now. Wonderful atmospheric album. Electronic beats, surf guitar, whispered vocals - I don't know why it works, but it does.

Some of the best writing and study and chilling music out there.

5/5 A masterpiece album, almost unique in its genre. Intro is an iconic song

great album and im listening to the whole discography now

Ganz geils Album!!!! Es vo de wenige wohni wirklech scho s ganze Album glost han. The XX hed mech jetzt au scho über en längeri Ziit musikalisch begleitet und immer wieder überzügt. Daher kristalisierte sich die erste 5 Sterlini use!

All killer no filler. First two tracks are nostalgic to me growing up in the UK. Love the blend of pop, indie and electronic, it all works so well. Romy’s guitar sounds very summery so works well with those genres.

The Original Era Tumblr Girl™️ in me adores this record because it reminds me of being a moody, brooding teenage queer (who was very, very, very in the closet) who chain-smoked unfiltered cigarettes in the parking lot of the combination Taco Bell/Kentucky Fried Chicken in her hometown and romanticized everything she touched. The adult in me also adores this record, but I think that's because it's just a fucking amazing record.

Beautiful album that I already loved before now, but listening closely it rose from being a 4 in my memory to a 5 - no real faults I could give.

This album was released right before I started my first year of university. Picture this: I'm 17, confused, directionless, and deeply, deeply uncool. This album was released and its iconic "x" was all over Tumblr. Listening to this album made me feel extremely cool, because the xx and this album have always felt extremely cool to me. (As if that's how it works.) I'm a millennial who grew up listening to music through the radio and then by buying singles from iTunes (lol), so at the time I mainly consumed my music through my own playlists, rather than through albums. (This is still mostly the case outside of listening to albums for this project.) xx was one of the first albums that I listened to as an *album* because it's such a slick, cohesive set of tracks. I hadn't listened to this album in a while, but I still love it. It's dreamy, atmospheric, melancholic, minimalist indie pop-rock that I've always thought is perfection. Yeah, it's a bit dull at times and sometimes Romy and Oliver are just kinda singing in a bored and disinterested way *at* each other rather than together, but I don't care. It's one of the albums that got me into seeking out more indie pop/rock and expanding my music tastes - I don't think I would've gotten into The Strokes, Arctic Monkeys, Vampire Weekend, Arcade Fire, etc. without it. Favourite tracks: Intro, VCR, Night Time

Played this with the expectation of trashing it in review and moving on (like many others have), and ended up playing it over and over. Beautiful, ethereal, mesmerising, it's probably been the most surprising album of this project so far for me. It's getting five stars and going in my tidal library.

To this day, The XX have a unique sound - a great album.

Fine piece of work, down tempo, moody atmospheric album. The Intro is now an iconic piece of music. Launched a great musical career for both Jamie Xx & Romy. Deservedly winning the Mercury in 2010.

An excellent album, reminded me of London Grammar's debut album, although I think this album was released before LG's

One I've listened to loads so probably a bit unfair to judge against albums I've only listened to once but a belter non the less.

Brutal

peak indie tumblr album

- Meine Güte hab ich das Album (bis auf ein paar Ausnahmen) lange nicht mehr gehört!! - Ich bin das erste Mal (wie warscheinlich Lasse auch) auf The xx über Jonah Fischer aufmerksam geworden - der hat uns nämlich das Cover zu Crystalised von Gorillaz Sänger Damon Albarn gezeigt, was es damals auf musigh.com zu hören gab. (Ein unfassbar geiler Muikblog, auf dem man die Mukke auch runterladen konnte). - Das Album hat so einen eigenen Vibe, den ich so auch von keiner anderen Band kenne. - Irgendwie sind die eine Mischung aus The Whitest Boy Alive, Of Monsters And Men in minimalistisch und mit elektronischen Einflüssen. Find ich alles super! - Extrem entspannt zum anhören und seeeeehr viele Erinnerungen, die ich damit verbinde - Habe bisher noch keine 10 Punkte außerhalb meiner eigenen Alben vergeben, aber es wäre verlogen von mir, an dieser Stelle keine 10 Punkte zu geben. Dafür verbinde ich mit dem Album zu viel und liebe bis auf 2 etwas "schwächere" Tracks eigentlich jeden Song. Ich finde auf dem Album sind mind. 6 Songs, die eine 10 oder zumindest eine 9,5 verdient haben. - Danke für den geilen Flashback

Enjoyed this album. It’s made my brain tickle in a good way.

This album didn't click at first, but after repeated listens, I've really grown to appreciate it. 4.5 stars, rounding up to 5.

Pretty cool and chill listen

Top band!!!

Yep it's a favorite

Listened before the generator. Lofi rock synth. Makes me think of shows like the Sopranos.

Super chill relaxed music

I highly recommend listening to the album on high-quality headphones. You can get goosebumps!

I forgot about this band. Rediscovering them now was truely lovely

Beautiful, inventive minimalist songwriting on this. I waited way too long to give this band a proper listen. Will now give repeated ones. Chord progressions did feel a bit repetitive towards the end though.

Simple, chill, elegant

Heard before Saved 9/11 Top track: Infinity

Story time because apparently each of these is turning into me reminiscing about the past: In the mid to late 00s, there was an explosion of "indie" artists that aped a lofi production and simplified, even childlike even, songwriting aesthetic and a whole swath of Millennials put on their finest, most shapeless American Apparel outfits and got haircuts that double dog dared the whole world to find them attractive. Like most trends in popular music, the best artists got swiftly buried by an avalanche of major label signings that were almost pathologically incapable of understanding good songwriting but were peopled by incredibly fuckable band members who could play their instruments just well enough to front whatever random songs their A&R guy told them to play. Anyway, this album came out relatively late in that whole scene and it ditches all the silliness. This is a competently recorded album of excellent songs that do not go out of their way to be silly or twee or anything else. It adds polish and flourish to the best parts of a genre that was getting worn out while ditching all the bullshit. In other words, this is a great album. I really like it. And I'm saying that as someone who hated this genre at the time and still has trouble recognizing the redeeming qualities that were present. I will absolutely listen to this again. Top to bottom.

This album was Hot Like Fire. My Heart Skipped a Beat.

An absolute gem out of nowhere to establish a powerhouse in the genre.

Holy cow this is good

Not to date myself too hard, but when I was a sophomore in college, I was very obsessed with a dubstep remix of "Shelter". I'm nostalgic about this album, sure, but I listened today for the first time in many years and absolutely loved it. This is a great album to make out to. It's basically the sound of millenials brains that were permanently altered by the music video for "Wicked Game"

If I’m ever feeling reflective about anything, I put this on. This album has gotten me through a lot. I’m happy to see it still has the same effect on me after all these years. Easily one of my top albums ever.

Muy corto .. Pero un cinco que le doy.

Love this band so much

feels like a dream, i LOVE IT

Favourite album ever.

Love being reminded how sick this album is

Simple album. You can hear every note, every drum, every strum of the guitar. Beautiful

Classic chill vibes. Takes me back.

Classic

Era defining album, truly beautiful. The “Intro“ will play on an infinite loop into the future.

This is the type of album that would have blown me away in high school. I love dreamy ethereal spacy music like this and I think the vocals add a lot to it. I'm stoked to see something calming like this in the mix. Also interesting to see the spotify plays. First song has the most played. Second less and so on down the line. Looks like a lot of people gave it a chance but couldnt finish it.

One of my favourite albums of the past 20 years

Pared-back instrumentation but super-duper effective. Shows how far a thoughtful mix of electronic and an live instruments can go, particularly the bass. Surprisingly jazzy; helped by the great vocal harmonisation Islands, Shelter and Basic Space are perfect examples of the latter.

Very chill. The definition of chill. Cool minimalist indie rock sleepiness but in a relaxed way. I'm on ambien just writing this album. Intro, Crystalized and VCR are the classics. Islands, Stars, Basic Space and Heart Skipped a beat are also worth a listen.

This is a great, low key album. I listened through it countless times while studying back in the day, and I still think that’s its best use case- background music for studying, working, driving…

I wanted to not give this five stars so bad. But then I heard the opening notes of "Intro" and I couldn't not do it. I have a huge bias towards indie music from this era since it's when I came of age, almost no other band came right out of the gate with such a unique sound that still remains completely original: the duetting vocals, the unmistakable dreamy guitar tone, the minimalist beats. For my money, it's not the best album in The xx's oeuvre (that would be I See You), but sometimes you just know. You just do.

Gosto muio

own

A staple of every indie/coffeeshop/chill playlist I've played over the years, but don't think I've listened to the album straight through before. Love it. I want to go for a night drive with this album playing.

Iconic and so badly reminds me of college

Enjoyed

The xx is one of many artists who I've been meaning to listen to more of since I like 1 or 2 of their songs before but never ended up getting to, so I'm very happy to have received this album from the generator to start the week. Interestingly, I think the instrumental intro was my favourite track on the album. Favourite songs were Intro, Crystallized, Islands, Heart Skipped A Beat, Basic Space, and Infinity. Very nice sonic experience, this marks my first back-to-back 5s I think!

This album felt like it came out of nowhere when I got it on original release. It is so minimal dark warm and beautiful all at once. Somewhat like Low Life it feels even more lush and haunting. It’s these contradictions that make it fascinating to me. I love this album.

### Lyrics: The lyrical content of "xx" is marked by its simplicity yet profound emotional depth. The themes primarily revolve around love, intimacy, and self-discovery. Tracks like "Heart Skipped a Beat" and "VCR" showcase the band's ability to convey complex emotions through concise, evocative lyrics. The intimacy of the lyrics draws listeners into the personal narratives woven throughout the album, creating a deeply immersive experience. ### Music: The musical landscape of "xx" is characterized by its atmospheric soundscapes, characterized by sparse instrumentation and haunting melodies. Romy Madley Croft and Oliver Sim's intertwining vocals create an ethereal quality that is both mesmerizing and intimate. The minimalist approach to instrumentation, often consisting of little more than guitar, bass, and subtle electronic elements, allows the emotional resonance of the music to take center stage. ### Production: The production on "xx" is impeccably crafted, with Jamie xx's deft touch adding layers of depth and texture to each track. The album's sound is characterized by its crisp, clean production, which enhances the sense of intimacy and vulnerability conveyed through the music. Jamie xx's use of space and restraint in his production creates a sense of tension and anticipation that is palpable throughout the album, drawing listeners deeper into its hypnotic embrace. ### Themes: Thematically, "xx" explores the complexities of human relationships, particularly the dynamics of love and intimacy. The album delves into the various facets of these themes, from the exhilarating highs to the painful lows, with a raw honesty that resonates deeply with listeners. Tracks like "Islands" and "Infinity" capture the bittersweet nature of love and longing, while "Crystalised" and "Shelter" delve into the vulnerability and uncertainty inherent in intimate relationships. ### Influence: "xx" had a profound influence on the indie music landscape, inspiring a wave of artists to explore similar sonic territory. The album's minimalist aesthetic and emphasis on intimacy and emotional vulnerability helped pave the way for a new wave of introspective indie pop. Additionally, Jamie xx's production on the album showcased his talent as a visionary producer, foreshadowing his later success as a solo artist. ### Pros: 1. Intimate and evocative lyrics that resonate deeply with listeners. 2. Atmospheric and hypnotic music that draws listeners into its immersive world. 3. Impeccably crafted production that enhances the emotional resonance of the music. 4. Themes that explore the complexities of love, intimacy, and self-discovery with raw honesty. 5. Significant influence on the indie music landscape, inspiring a new wave of introspective indie pop. ### Cons: 1. Some listeners may find the album's minimalist approach to be overly subdued or lacking in variety. 2. The album's slow pace and understated energy may not appeal to those seeking more dynamic or upbeat music. 3. While the simplicity of the lyrics is part of the album's charm, some listeners may find them too simplistic or repetitive. In conclusion, "xx" is a landmark album that showcases The xx's talent for crafting intimate and emotionally resonant music. From its evocative lyrics to its atmospheric soundscapes and impeccable production, every aspect of the album is finely tuned to create a deeply immersive listening experience. While it may not be to everyone's taste, its influence on the indie music landscape is undeniable, cementing its status as a modern classic.

One of the most original sounds and albums of that decade. Excellent simple indie pop.

Maybe another one that I'm overrating due to nostalgia but I still love the minimalist chilled vibe.

Muy corto .. Pero un cinco que le doy.

This is one of those rare albums that gets better the longer it plays. Intro and VCR are the weakest songs, and at that point you might be wondering what all the fuss was about. By the mid-point of the album why it's so special is abundantly clear. Very few artists use space in such a way, and by letting each element (beats, bass, guitar and vocals primarily) stand out in crystal clarity each reinforces the others. Up there with the classic debuts of all time.

Great

Best album.

Never heard of The xx, but wow, I enjoyed this album so much…from the start, so atmospheric and easy to listen to…

Love this album!

One of the most perfect driving around the hills of Los Angeles at night albums ever. It's true

Fucking love this album. It is beautiful and unique. Loved it when it came out, still love it today! The minimalistic sound is what i would imagine traveling in space feels!

Als former 2014 tumblr girl das album has been injected in my veins and has just been living there ever since und es wird eif ned schlechter egal wieviel mal ichs lose.

Do Romy Madley Croft and Oliver Sim have the best singing voices ever? Nope. Does this album have the most sophisticated production? Nope! But that's part of its charm for me; it's all about the vibe and a certain moment in time. The XX will always have a special place in my heart for seeing me through the peak of my early 20s ennui and lack of direction.

I really liked these guys...never heard of them before!

mg fav'd 4

Muy corto .. Pero un cinco que le doy.

Obviously.

Excelent!!!

This album is so good. Very chill but mesmerizing and memorable. Lots of feels when I listen to this one.

An amazing album which is so easy and lovely to listen to. Every song is great and that’s that!

01) Intro - 10,0 02) VCR - 9,0 03) Crystalised - 9,0 04) Islands - 10,0 05) Heart Skipped a Beat - 8,5 06) Fantasy - 8,5 07) Shelter - 9,0 08) Basic Space - 9,5 09) Infinity - 9,0 10) Night Time - 8,5 11) Stars - 8,5 TOTAL: 9,10 (91/100) After Air, here's The XX. What a great two albums in a row. "Intro" is the best intro on any album ever! This album is a perfect summer soundtrack. I'm a big fan of Jamie XX's album "In Colour" which I presume is not even on this list... Shame, cause it's better than 95% of the list. "Loud Places" is such a gem!

good

Absolutely loved this one! And shocked that I didn't know anything about, and that I had a completely wrong idea of what it was gonna be thinking it was more like Black Flag or the like. So many different touches of various genres but it still stays uniquely cohesive. His voice was a bit mopey but not irritatingly so, and their vocals do blend well together. Her voice was mesmerizing. Definitely will be revisiting this and the rest of there discography.

Eerily beautiful

very pleasant minimalistic music, ended up listening to the album like 4 times again Significant 42/132 Liked 21/132 Added 6/132 YYY

Intro is so good. But I never return to the rest of the album because I remember it as a let down compared to that song. Being “forced” to revisit it, I found a lot to love. Like a 4.5, decided to round up.

Love this album, pretty good vibes all around. I had heard like 75% of this album in various places already, and I still really enjoyed it again. Intro is a classic.

Es la ostia

HELL YES.

I really liked the vibe of the album! I loved the sound design; it felt so immersive. And I also liked how most of the songs were duets, which isn’t common enough in pop music. I will definitely be listening to more by the xx in the future!

Nostalgic. Modern Classic. Iconic. Sparse instrumentation gives room for sounds to breathe in a surprisingly lush atmosphere. Have listened to the whole thing countless times to where memories and certain songs have become inseparable. Will never not love this album and even with some imperfections, still 5/5 for me

Wow! Loved this record! Listened to it twice. Will add to my collection.

Very electronic sounding and minimal

A really chill simple minimalistic album I've already known before. It's kind of drowsy vibe is in a way it's kind of trippy and dreamy. Was really easy falling asleep to the gentle melodies. I understand why some people might not particularly enjoy this type of music and it's minimalism, but I personally really like it. Intro and Crystalized are the classics, but the rest is really nice as well. 9/10

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again - 2009 was the best year for indie rock ever. This album is a perfect example. Such a unique, fully realized sound. This album is so chill and sexy. I still spin it regularly to this day.

This might seem like a weird story, but I’m gonna put this in anyway. I first heard a song by The xx when I listened to a 2000s indie playlist on Apple Music. The song of choice? “Crystalised”. It was a pretty nice song, and I listened to it almost every time I listened to that playlist. I loved that song from the first moment I heard it. Now, we go to Thanksgiving of last year. I’m in an airport with my parents and bored out of my mind trying to wait for our flight. I hear a song that seems familiar to me. It’s almost like I’ve heard it before. I said to myself, “Is this ‘Heart Skipped A Beat’ by The xx?” I Shazammed the song before realizing I was right! I guess I’d heard the guitar riff or something somewhere else. This album was a phenomenal listen. I love how there’s interplay between the vocalists, and everything sounds so smooth yet minimalist. Will I listen to this again? 100% yes. 5/5 Fav: Heart Skipped a Beat, VCR Least Fav: I have none.

first favorite album of 2024 :)

A lot of music from this era (2009) doesn’t hold up - but this album is still amazing after all of these years. Love Jamie xx’s voice

I LOVE IT

One of the bests albums.

one of my fav dream pop rock albums

Nice indie dance!!!!

Oh, this album brings back some memories! Haven’t listen to it in a while and found out I still like it. Super chill vibes!

Fucking great!

Really enjoyed this.

I have been a big fan of The XX since first hearing them. Love the mellow vibe of this album.

Was good reminded me of the cranberries

Loved it

Beautiful monogamous music. Bill considers this sexy Brit pop far removed from a band like Beach House. I saw them as more similar.

So good...

Fantastic!

I think this is my favourite low-fi, chill album. The songs just flow perfectly throughout the record, strengthen by smooth voices of both vocalists. But the real pleasure is the legendary now intro. There has been a time I could listen to it on a loop for few hours, just perfect combination of melancholy and anticipation. Great album, amazing band.

Tosi siistiä atmosfääristä indierockia. Parhaat: Heart Skipped a Beat

Smooth and melancholic

Nice expanded view on a great staple from the 90s

Ist und bleibt einfach eins der Top 100 Alben ever.

another one where I'm really glad that I listened to it. I did not know the band before!

This is kind of my jam. I have listened to the XX often as they tend to come up when I let my player continue to play similar music as somethng else I have chosen. It's not really groundbreaking music, but I like it a lot.

classic