Reviews (page 3 of 15)
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
Rigged lights to this
If it were possible to wear out an mp3 from overplaying it, I would have worn out this album in college. “Intro” in particular is a song I would play on repeat. Amazing for a band to have such a unique, stylized sound and know exactly who they are right from the start. I said this about the xx album “I See You” and it’s true about this one too: None of these songs are club songs or dance songs but they borrow elements of that music. The songs sound like synth-pop tracks that have been refracted through a prism and beamed across a room. And in the process, half the information went missing. They’ve been reduced down to something much more minimal but they still have that feel. I never thought this before but doesn’t “Infinity” almost sound like a Roy Orbison song? Something about that strummed guitar chord has that dramatic country western sound. The difference of course is that even in the emotional climax, the xx sing in a hushed whisper when Orbison would have belted it. But I think there’s a shared musical DNA there. When you think about sexy music, you don't usually think about emotional vulnerability. But the xx infuse that tender, intimate feeling into every song. It makes the music feel very close and personal. Impeccable production and excellent songwriting. Great debut album and a great album overall.
This album was hyped for me before I heard it, with a lot of friends / internet messageboard people saying that it's an instant classic. Usually I don't deal with music getting overhyped well, I tend to feel some unwarranted and forced innate rebellion and have some bad reaction pre-loaded, like "well I'll have to see about that". This album didn't take very long for me to see it's greatness however. It's jam packed with good songs, it's super consistent, it's dynamic, it brings new ideas, and it's the definition of moody and cool. So much of the music has this sexy feel to it and some songs (like "Infinity") feel like a back and forth tease that repeats over and over. It feels like every other phrase on the record is some variation of "give it to you". In fact, I can't really think about this album without thinking about the sexual vibes it gives off. I don't think I'll ever get sick of this album. Easy 5/5 and probably inside of my top~20 albums of all time. How great is this album cover too? I love the simplicity.
The xx bring you into their world - mostly quiet and whispered thoughts and desires. Somewhat unique at the time, they allowed space and silence into their songs instead of overstuffing the production. Especially in the late 2000s, it's impressive that they created such a unique sound, really unlike anything else before it or at the time.
I mean... It's a modern classic. I love it and have loved it since I was 14. Great everything, no notes, no crumbs left
Already know it
Se prête bien aux tectonics
se prête bien au train au petit matin
After not thinking I knew this band, I recognized the "Intro" track right away as one that plays frequently on my Pandora channel. The rest I wasn't so familiar with, but I loved loved the mellow, dreamy vibe and dual vocals. This is an album I'd be very happy to keep listening to.
amazing
Solid lofi dark bliss
OH ITS ACTUALLY GOOD!!
Iconic indie album
Soft 5 but just dank
Banger, really had me going
Great indie album I've listened to so many times before. Love the mellow vocalization and electonic hooks. Not perfect, it finishes weak, but good enough for a 5. Repeats: intro, vcr, crystallized, islands, basic space Skips: fantasy, shelter
Y'know, I don't need any more albums by them. But this one is pretty perfect.
Loved it. Will look for more
А вот здесь 2 первых песни -- 2 хита, но затем треки идут довольно блекло. Долго думал, но все-таки поставлю 5 -- в целом оставшиеся треки не катастрофа, просто норм. Но intro и crystalised -- 2 хитяры.
plena este disco si es joyita super entretenido de escuchar lqm a este disco la verdad la canción 4 joyita la 1 iconic la 7 bellisima pipipipi megustamucho
Only had time to listen once, but this is one of the few albums I had already listened to many times and I already love it. 4.6/5
Intro is an all time great for me
Fucking love this album
Classic for us as teens
I never knew of this till I found it! Loved it~
Intro and Crystallised are both songs I've heard of before and loved. I enjoyed listening to the rest of the album they come from, I really like the style of all the songs.
Awww another big beautiful fave album of mine already. I don't even know which is my favourite because I love so many. Such a dreamy, sad, sleepy album - idk people say it's boring but I love it and I will always love it. Nostalgic and reminds me of being a teen.
Super good! Takes me back to high school. Nice vibe
Amazing and right at the correct time
I liked it a lot, it sounded very familiar but I don't know why. Beautiful vocals and atmosphere.
'Intro', the iconic intro track of this album is an amazing track that will and has been used for a lot of pop culture. This track in itselfs deserves a 5/5. This album is one helluva debut for their careers. Amazing record. 5/5
Surprisingly really good
Loved it, soft, polished
Great indie, does a lot with a little
As a lonely middle class girl from the mid 2000's, this SLAPS.
I saw someone rate this album as incredibly uninspiring with Intro as the only good song. Insane how much I disagree with them. This was just art all the way through, maybe not the strongest 5 I've given (like Parklife) but I do think its much better than all of the 4s Ive given that I can remember Ive listened to Intro, Crystalised and Islands way too many times throughout the years and I will continue but perhaps add other songs from this album into the mix. I was introduced to The xx through reckfuls stream. Man I miss him so much
Pretty cool. This album had the song I have been looking for which is Intro. This song gets used as a transition between multiple shows on 104.5 and Alt Nation.
A brilliant album, so mellow and chilled it’s a cliché. Some crazy lyrics that still make sense and beautifully sang, these 2 have excellent voices. Some awesome dark bass for those with a good stereo. I like it a lot x
Love this album
I love this album. Remember buying it when it came out and sharing it with anyone who would listen. Sparse vocal and bass forward songs, almost ethereal.
Great studying
the perfect album...masterpiece!!!!
Awww yeah, excited to listen to this one after loving The Boards of Canada. Intro is an all time song. Overall this is more indie/folky than BoC, but it just feels similar. If Elon Musk could create a band he would name it The xx. This is such a chill album. I would hypothetically take mushrooms and listen to this on the beach in North Carolina next week. I haven't listened to this album in full before, but I certainly recognized many songs from it. This album is great, no real low points and plenty of high points. It's also a unique album in that I wouldn't really put it on for a group of people, but it's a great solo listen. Stars to end the whole album is perfect. It has incredible production with those booming bass notes. This is a sneaky 5.
Omg, I already liked the first songs but then Crystalised came and I already loveee this song but didn’t recognise it at first. So happy to find out this song is part of something bigger and I love this total piece. 4,7
classic nice
A revelation when it came out. Melancholic minimalism. Jamie xx is one of defining artists of the 2010s. Apart from the xx I love his Gil Scott Heron album, his solo album and his production in general. The xx are great live as well.
Great moody indie bullshit. 5 stars.
Heerlijk album, origineel, invloedrijk en goed luisterbaar.
Fantastic album. Blew me away when I first heard by how atmospheric and minimal the sound was. Such a great mood setter. 4.5/5
This is one of my fave albums.
This is 100% based on the music but the xx are one of the top bands that seem like they'd absolutely hate me.
Genoten
Beautiful bedroom pop. So minimalist and sparse, with just the right touch of everything. The interplay of the vocals, the simple guitar melodies, the subtle production - it all blends together so well. Something about this album sounds so timeless, like 50 years from now it will still sound fresh, but I also can’t believe it’s already 14 years old. The songs also have a great cohesiveness, where each sounds distinct but also closely connected to all the others in sound and feeling. I feel weird giving this a 5 since it’s so recent, but it really is flawless.
One of my very favourites and without doubt their best album so far. I’d not really heard anything like it at the time and I knew from the moment Intro started that it was a bit of me. Proper Nighttime car album this
Zalige plaat
Would listen again
know the first song - pretty good!
Really enjoyed this. Like the male/female voice duet. On the re-listen list
I think I’ve heard the intro in my dreams. I really enjoyed the intense simplicity of this album. Really fucking cool.
Youth
I didn’t know what to expect from this Album, but it really surprised me, loved it
great
Classic in minimal pop music, in the tradition of Cocteau Twins, Young marble Giants. Their voices match perfectly too. Live they are equally brilliant.
Oh my god, this took me back to 2014 when I couldn't scroll 5 posts down my Tumblr dashboard before seeing that "X" logo. But seriously, this is a beautiful album, that intro alone is iconic. I feel of all the "Tumblr-core" music, The xx and their impact goes a bit unappreciated at times but there's no doubt their impact was pretty huge.
Good. Easy to listen to and has some good bass
I love this album. It's easily one of my favorite things to re-listen to. The vocals are great, it's well produced, and the instrumentation is great too. Just a wonderful album from start to finish.
No notes, five stars.
When I first listened to this album it had the effect of introducing me to a sound I hadn't previously heard. I then clued in to Young Marble Giants as a predecessor, but this album is sufficiently unique that I still rate it as one of the best I've heard in the last 15 years. It was great to relisten after a few years away from it.
Delightful surprise.
Not sure why i like this so much. maybe i heard it before??? maybe in another life???? good floaty dreamy, but a bit of a one trick that i almost went with 4 stars.
Very good
Un disc d'un moment i una escena. Però que gairebé 15 anys després continua conservant tota la seva força. Ens va sorprendre a tots, de la mateixa manera que discos icònics et deixen amb la boca oberta ja des del primer cop que els escoltes. No han tornat a assolir el mateix nivell des d'aleshores, i l'efecte sorpresa ja va quedar més aigualit, però aquest àlbum continua sent una meravella
I listened to this a LOT when it first came out (my first/second year of college) and loved it, but got a bit tired of the songs on the first half. They were quite overplayed and popped up in all sorts of films and TV shows at the time. 'Intro' in particular was very overused. Listening to it again today though, I think enough time has passed that I can appreciate it again. This is a finely crafted album. The music is fantastic and it is atmospheric and melancholic in all the right ways imo. I can see how some might say it is a bit melodramatic, too "of its time", or that the lyrics are a little basic. It is all of those things, but overall I think it's a great album, and only has a few tracks that I find a bit underwhelming (Fantasy, Basic Space and Night Time). Maybe that's my emotional connection with the time speaking though. Nice one to round off my first 40 albums! 9/10
Ja heel dik, 5*
The xx is soul of our generation.
Increíble
Yesterday, I listened to this album for the first time, with my love, and was moved by even the first song in it. Very smooth, calm, beautiful melody.
There's something magical about the combination of the dreamy vocals and the slightly distorted, echoey instrumentals. I love this album.
it's a pretty peak indietronica/indie pop album. the combination of both the slow subtle male and female vocals and the atmospheric guitars/bass juxtaposed with the energetic drums create an album that set the scene for a new type of indietronica. highlights include vcr, crystalised, heart skipped a beat, infinity, and stars. i also need to point out the odd semi-ambient song fantasy, as while it wasn't anything too unexpected, i did still love how the xx executed it.
You know there’s a bunch of albums on this list I’ve had where there’s one iconic song and the rest is pretty forgettable. The first 5 songs on this one are now all timers. Crystallized is about as perfect as a pop song can be. The rest of this record I feel looses steam in the second half. I can’t imagine eating this anything less than 5 stars. It’s an essential part of the 2000s alternative canon. (I might have only heard it first in 2011 but who cares) I’m not going to find who to attribute it to, but I once read with The XX it’s more important the notes they don’t play (truly terrible take, up there with calling music life affirming). I’ve also heard this music called really simple. What it is is very precise, accurately built. Have not given the other XX (or Jamie XX) albums a chance after this one. I suspect I’m going to be listening to them at some point either in this list or otherwise.
Awesome album! I love this artist!
I remember when this dropped it absolutely blew my mind. I still think that is the case. Heart Skipped a beat is the best track and it is still just white hot for me. There is something so seductive and sexy about this whole album, its spare angsty duets. Shelter is another track that I just LOVE. The lyrics, her raspy voice. It's all a treat. The minor piano chords, the pacing, the tension. You can cut it with a knife.
This feels like a trip down a highway on a summer night not affected by climate change, windows down,
Minimalist electro with deep tones & sleepy vocals. I had forgotten how great this album is. Excellent listen.
Great listen chill and enjoyable!
Top album, veel gedraaid!
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!
Fantastic indie rock album. A must listen
When I rated the other xx album on here I said that I hadn't listened to this one. But that was wrong because this album has been on high rotation over the years I just never made the connection. An easy 5 stars, I just love the way the vocals interwine and the laid back vibes of the music.
So soft and relaxing you could completely dissolve into this album. Love it. Not so complicate but still satysfying.
This album is very good. Always a pleasure to listen to it.
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
Brilliant stuff, moody yet detached.
Loved the album. Suitable for long drives and romantic encounters.
The Intro Is Eternal. Belfarcha I Was Always Looking For It, Never Thought It Was Called INTRO Hhhhhh
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.
Rating: 10/10
Sexy
Great album to chill to. Love it
Possibly on of my favorite albums in the last 20 or 30 years easy.
😍
Eu ainda fico esperando a Rihanna entrar quando escuto a intro desse aqui
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.
não achei que ia gostar mas gostei!
masterpiece, one of the best intros I know, I love every single song
4.5, slightly closer to 5
My favorite middle school make-out album
liebe das album! schon sooo oft gehört. lieblingsnummern crystalised und islands
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 :-) )
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.
Great album with immaculate production. The guitar licks are so identifiable.
I absolutely love this album. I’d give it ten out of ten if possible.
track 1 and 2 were great
I'd like to give this one 5 stars. So i will.
Beautiful
Atmospheric as fuck
very nice good. 2009 in a very good way
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.
Alt J, The xx and London Grammar all very important in my formative years
Sweet, dreamy, indie pop. Loved it.
Another new band for me. Really seem to love this dream pop genre.
Great intro record for a band with a unique sound.
I liked it! Unique and good sound. Good vocals. Would definitely listen again. The songs that automatically played after were cool too.
Great Introduction. It’s currently the artists most streamed song on Spotify, rightly so. Simplistic instrumentals, but smooth flowing. Mellow.
Sparse and atmospheric
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.
Muy corto .. Pero un cinco que le doy.
Heard it before. Very unique use of bass. Well put together, the whole album has a "flow" feeling
Lo escuche cuando salio, 10 puntos, excelente de principio a fin.
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
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.
A very 2000s album.
I've been tuned in to this since Project X. cmon man, everyone should know this album.
Love It 💕
Great album
Really loved this album, some of the songs are similar but it all blends together wonderfully.
Great album
VERY GOOD, LOVED IT
Exxcellent album. Bunch of goths
Xxcellent
Gran álbum
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.
Make out music for sure
Really nice, chill music
XXXXXXXXXX
A fantastic album. Nice and nostalgic
4.6
Loved it.
LOVE INTRO!!
Pretty great. Really cool downtempo stuff. I’m a fan.
I think xx is genuinely one of the most important indie debuts of the 2000s. But I don’t think it’s a masterpiece in the same way OK Computer, Disintegration, Doolittle, or After the Gold Rush are. It’s too limited in palette. Too repetitive. Too dependent on atmosphere.
Très bon, j’avais jamais pris le temps de me poser pour écouter l’album au complet. J’aurais du le faire plus tôt, j’aurais beaucoup plus enjoy leur show à Osheaga 2026
nice indy
Déjà écouté avant. Une pépite de pop indé, qui va au bout de sa logique minimaliste : quelques notes de guitare, une basse mécanique, des voix tout en détachement, des beats électroniques glaciaux, une utilisation des silences et des pauses tout en subtilité... Il n'en faut pas plus à The xx pour imposer un son qui ne ressemble à l'époque à pas grand chose d'autre, et livrer un album d'ambiance d'une rare beauté, atmosphère extérieur nuit, Londres sous la pluie. Bien sûr, le minimalisme a ses limites et peut finir par être répétitif, et xx n'échappe pas à ce travers, mais sa concision (moins de 40 minutes) évite que ça ne devienne réellement un problème. Du tout bon, en somme, dont on retrouve l'empreinte chez de nombreux artistes jusqu'à aujourd'hui, et ça n'est pas un hasard. Top : Crystalised Flop : Fantasy
This is the kind of chill music I like to listen to while at work or relaxing. I only knew the song Intro so it was nice to listen to the rest. Immediately add to my library.
vibey. takes me back to high school.
This album captures a mood in the mid 2010s that I could not really verbalize. It’s a magical time of in between life stages, with an interesting balance of freedom, obligations, and dreams. Music wise it is incredibly pleasing, even without the emotional implications. 4/5
It's good. but definitely not my favorite. It's got a nice atmosphere, but I think other albums do it better. I'd say it's a mid 4, because I still like a handful of songs.
Very chill/lowkey
Really glad to see The XX hit this list. A friend introduced this album to me years back and it became a hit within our group pretty quickly. I understand why it is classified as indie-rock / indie-pop, but it seems like it released right as a new wave of the genre was emerging with dark electronic beat production as the baseline of the backing tracks. Maybe I'm overlooking it but it seems like this trend has been gaining traction over the past 10 years and maybe XX had some influence on that. Not sure exactly what to call it but there are a handful of other artists that have a similar approach that it's hard for me to just lump into indie rock. Seems like I need a new genre qualifier to be established at some point. For what it is worth I find XX debut album to be solid from pretty much the opening notes on Intro all the way through the end of Stars. The first half of the album is an amazing 20-minute album side, that has the best songs and serves as a perfect nighttime listen when trying to wind down or calm the mood a bit. I'm glad the XX have some lasting success and are considered a bit of an indie darling among critics. I've seen them live a couple of times and one of their shows is among my favorite concerts of all time. 3.89 stars
This is the kind of stuff that gives me the shivers. Girl/boy tender vocals, cold, isolated production, warm guitar and bass riffs, electronic beats, and romantic yet heartbreaking lyrics. The first 8 tracks are a masterclass in dynamics and minimalist production, with very similar "bedroom" engineering that Joe Meek was doing 4 decades prior. I simply adored how this sounded 15 years ago, and still love it today. They truly captured the the naïveté of being young and full of hope but growing up and realizing how fleeting it can be. I suppose if you're not touched by that, you're probably not really listening to the album at all or not allowing yourself to have an emotional reaction. I'd normally give this a 5 but it does run out of gas and gets a bit repetitive by the end. 4.5 stars simply because to this day I've never heard anything like this release.
Would do well on a melancholy indie playlist. Very pleasant and muted.
Really liked the ambiance of it, sounded like dreamy pop. Wouldnt listen to it on a daily basis but was a fresh air from just being purely lyrics focused.
This was significantly better than expected. 3.5 but i want to give it another try.
❌️ great singing ❌️ great musicianship ✅️ groundbreaking indie record
Intro starts out so solid… the whole album is… maybe I should have gone to their day at lolla?? I mean, I would have skipped Tate McKrae to see them. 4.3
This was a pleasant surprise. Chill, understated, and beautiful. Definitely a specific vibe, but I enjoyed it. 7/10 Quite Likeable
2/5 a decir verdad no es de mi gusto y ya
I remember listening to this album in college. I was familiar with "Intro," and thought that if it was so good, I ought to check the rest of the album out as well. I was a little disappointed by what followed. I've revisited this album a few times in the years since, and my appreciation for the rest of the album has grown quite a bit in that time. It is relaxed and almost lazy (in a good way). The intro is still kind of the show-stealer, but there isn't a bad track on the album, just a few that I wish had a touch more to them. And there are some really great tracks in addition to that, like "Infinity," which I have also liked since the first time I heard it. It's a really good album that is so close to greatness, and unfortunately those moments of greatness make the less interesting tracks stand out more. Favorite track(s): "Intro" and "Infinity"
really good!
- this is the first one where i've actually listened to this album?
𝘹𝘹 is less dreamy than many similar albums from the era, but that works in its favour. The music is sparse, intimate, and built around quiet tension rather than lush atmosphere. The restrained vocals and minimal arrangements take a little time to unfold, but the album remains consistently engaging. It never pushes too hard, yet it has a distinctive mood that kept me listening.
i liked it
The XX are a vibe. It was surprising to me how well these songs translate into the live setting. At Coachella they played the main stage and fully occupied the stage although the three of them seem disconnected they are in fact very connected musically. Romy Madley Croft plays guitar delicately such that the vocal interplay between her and Oliver Sim is fluid and flawless. Jamie XX’s drumming and production are the glue that keeps the music from losing it’s connection with the listener. As albums go, it is an emotional listening experience particularly on songs like Crystalized and Islands which takes the foundation of beats and bass with guitar for largely atmosphere to wrap melancholic vocals around. Along with Intro and VCR the first four tracks are as good as any 1st four tracks on any record. There is a bit of a drop off in the middle as there is a sameness to the second half although closer stars is pretty good. Their sound is instantly recognizable although there are historical antecedents to this sound found in bands like Young Marble Giants, Mazzy Star and perhaps Portishead. First rate record that should be in every pop fan’s collection. If you have Cure records, you should be comfortable with this record along side. 4/5
Had no idea what to expect having never heard of the band before. Recognised some of the work as being used for TV, which surprised me. Quite a good album but probably wouldn’t play it at a party! 4
The opening beats of Intro open up you a dark sultry world of beautiful sounds. Doesn’t always have the songs to match the sound but still an engaging listen.
Pretty solid
UYYYY ME ENCANTA ESTE ALBUM. Yo ya lo escuché, pero estaba esperando que apareciera para reescucharlo.
Yeah I like this. The understated feel and disinterested vocals work with this style. It’s nice and chill and I recognised more numbers than I thought
Blir fryktelig nostalgisk av dette her. Jeg setter mer pris på The xx nå enn da det var nytt.
Deilig plate. Var en favoritt når den kom. Har kanskje ikke helt tålt tidens tann.
A good record. Each song has a little something that I like. Great production.
Its first half is stronger than the second, but I think this album deserves a place on this list based on influence alone. This is the album that brought the spotlight to bedroom pop, arguably one of the biggest movements in music of recent years. It’s a lovely album, I love the minimalist arrangement of VCR and the slightly ominous Intro.
It's a good album
Perfect album for having a nap on the train. Can see why it might be boring if you’re trying to do something else (but I wasn’t) Favourite song: Basic Space Least: Heart Skipped A Beat
Very chill album, reminds me of the Tumblr era (rip). I've never listened to all the songs, so it created a nice Friday soundtrack today. I have a feeling that I have to go back to it in Fall. No fun facts today I'm afraid :c
Solid album.
The simple and low-key feel of this album makes it feel like it could've come out in the early 80s, which is definitely a positive in my book. A very enjoyable record.
Very pretty. I can’t decide if it’s 3 am music or mid morning music but manages to be quiet but not boring.
If you were in the UK in the early to mid 2010s you will recognise half of these tracks solely from them being used in seemingly every other BBC trailer or ident. They won the Mercury Prize in 2009, with their sparse, understated style providing a contrast with a lot of the other music being released around that time. While their sound has been incorporated by a lot of other bands since, the album still sounds fresh, and the quality of songwriting is great, making for an enjoyable and somewhat nostalgic listen.
It's a good album
I actually quite dug the quiet simplistic sound
Interesting
One of my all time favorite live albums.
Acceptable and enjoyable
Half of this is all-timer, the rest is extremely pleasant. Such a specific sexy vibe!
One of the best albums of the 00’s. Fantastic album and nostalgic
Xx and chill. Ultimate shag album 😂😂 not quite sure it fits the morning commute but a classic anyways.
Big big nostalgia trip for me, The XX always seemed out on their own, a bit weird, doing their own gothic electric chill indie thing. I have a lot of time for this album, it’s atmospheric and you know you’re listening to the xx. I don’t think it’s my favourite of theirs but it’s a fantastic debut. 4/5 Best Song: Islands
Ok
I am biased, I love The XX. Used to listen them and Jamie XX (the producer) a ton in my 20's. The minimalist sound is intentional. Listen to Jamie XX's album "In Color" if your interested in understand the range of talent he has. One of the best intros to an album. The duets, the music, and the lyrics are simply beautiful. I used to blast "Fantasy" in my CRV to feel that bass. No other band sounds like them, and this album was an amazing launching point for the XX and Jamie XX.
Not usually my thing but I've always been a big fan of this album. Calming and minimalistic. Opened the door for 'In Colour' as well which was sick.
i thought it was pretty decent actually and was compelled to listen again
Gostoso de ouvir
I was aware of some of the songs because they were heavily played on 6 Music when they came out, bit this is my first proper listen. Turns out I like it a lot. The two voices working together are great, and I like the mix of electronicavand rock.
Very solid record, I feel like I would listen to it more if Jeep ads hadn't made it overplayed to me
Removed, why, who can say
Not bad, pretty different stuff. 4/5
erg chill, lekker voor uit het raam staren en niks doen
Good album, lots of recognizable songs starting right with their Intro which is their best of the album ha!
No idea who this is. The “X” thing is over used. I like this first track so far. This album feels more 90s than 2009. I’m enjoying this. On track two now. This is a really good album. It didn’t make me want to jot notes, but I would listen again. I would also be interested to see this band live.
Gran ambiente
На фон поставить мне нравится, некоторые песни были уже добавлены
I see a lot of people are calling this boring, and I understand that some may think that. But to me, this is a fantastic minimalistic album, very relaxing and chill. Favorite track(s) Intro Islands Shelter Night Time
Good brittle atmospheric electronica.
The opening bars set the tone for one of the most intimate electronic albums of the late '00s. Jamie's production along with Romy and Oliver...chef's kiss! VCR is so pretty. The diverging vocals that eventually coalesce in Crystalised is beautiful. This album is a full vibe of love and longing. I mean if you like echo-y sparse guitar and solid but subtle bass, this is certainly for you.
4/7
Great energy
After listening to this record I'm filled with both nostalgia for my teenage years and also a real warmth. The music produced here is simultaneous atmospheric, chilled and comforting - the songs feeling lke a hug from a friend. The vocals and minimalist instrumental work combine beautifully to produce the iconic xx sound. This is a brilliant album from start to finish!
First album out of 21 that I’d literally never heard of. But this was *awesome*. I love how they don’t feel a need to fill in the white space. Pensive, tight album. Very 2009. Loved it.
Mellow ambient. Liked it.
Very chill, good music to work to.
Lovely, low-fi electronic mood music. Almost sounds like it was recorded next to your ear.
The xx - x Pleasantly surprised that I quite enjoyed this one. I always moan about modern music having so little space, but here we have nothing but sparse, echoey arrangenments where every note and beat is there for purpose. Shades of UK post punk, and bedroom indie - all the stuff I like. Amongst the tracks I went back to was the perfectly formed Intro, the Roy Orbison in a dark alley sounding VCR, the brooding duet Islands, and the build up and release of Infinity. Least fave were the slightly messy Crystalised and the close Stars which never really amounted to anything. Dabbled with the bonus tracks of the deluxe version and would quite happily never hear their version of Teardrops again 🤦 Do You Mind is a beauty though. A really lovely surprise 8.5/10
Yes!!!!!!!!!
Everyone’s heard the intro to this album. If you’re wondering whether the rest of the record sounds like that, the answer is: almost. Musically, it stays in the same lane — the electronica touches are tasteful, the guitar work is clean and minimal, and the whole thing feels like it’s drifting through a dimly lit room. The real highlight is the vocals. Romy and Oliver harmonize and blend like a friendship bracelet — simple threads woven into something quietly beautiful. Their voices never overpower the music; they just glide through it. The album is shorter than I expected, and the songs tend to blur together. It’s not always easy to tell where one track ends and the next begins, but that’s part of its charm and part of its limitation. It’s calming, floaty, and pleasant, but it didn’t grab me especially hard. My rating: 4/5
Hard to separate the nostalgia from my relisten of this.
I remember this being massive when it came out and it is a good album. It's a lovely melancholy vibe and nicely atmospheric. The dual vocals are quite cool as is the guitar playing. The strongest tracks are front-loaded which makes the second half a little bit of a comedown, though, so capping my rating at 4*
Grave sympa, pop rock un peu indie qui change
Je connaissais déjà; j’avais déjà l’album dans mes favoris ! Je trouve ça vraiment cool mais je mettrais pas 5/5 car c’est vraiment calme !
At this point this is a classic of indie music. The intro is iconic in a way few songs ever get to be, which is impressive that it has no words and just repeats simple motif for a few minutes. But simple works wonders when simple is good, which could basically be a slogan for this album. The mix is incredibly clean and the choice of having a producer instead of a more traditional drummer consistently works wonders. The heavy reverb on the guitars and the minimalistic electronic flourishes that pop in and out create a mood that is often replicated and the mix makes the band sound so supremely confident in their abilities. Is prefer a little more dynamic range than what's on offer with this album and the actual songwriting doesn't ever blow me away, but this is a really, really good listen.
Wat een verrassend leuke band is dit. Het grappige is dat ik hier op kantoor naar heb geluisterd. Eén collega vond het eentonig, een ander collega vond juist dat er veel variatie in zat. Ik vond het dus vooral verrassend 😃
Genuinely did not expect to enjoy this at all given the genre tags, but it kind of fucked? It feels understated, with touches of minimal synth and really emotionally affecting vocals and lyrics. Definitely the kind of album I never would've picked out myself, but I'm really happy I've listened to it!
Woo, what have we here? Nice. Dark and understated. Can't beat a bit of darkness and understatedness though. New Order-esque obvs but that's no bad thing.
A strong 4. This hit the indie scene like a bomb back in the day. They came out of nowhere with such a unique and specific approach and sound. Debuts where the band’s sound is fully formed and you immediately know it couldn’t be anyone else are fascinating. Their minimalist approach, spooky/dreamy/sexy songwriting and production, along with genius use of empty space, evoked so much tension and drama. A true classic.
Intro // Crystalised // Heart Skipped a Beat // Infinity // Night Time // 4.5/5
This is the first time that I think that I listened to this record in a concentrated manner, but I have seen them live at least once. This is a really beautiful record. This record has a fairly minimalist sound pallet of voice, bass, guitar, synth, and drum machine. It also has two vocalists, who at times exchange lines in the song. You can hear indie and post punk influences throughout, but those influences cohere into something that is distinctly their own. The Intro sets up the expectation that there is going to be more of a dance influence with this record, but that influence is tamped down once the record starts. The songs are strong and there is also a strong ambiance throughout the record. I'm being presented quite a few records from the aughts recently and its been at this point, pretty uniformly good.
Super impressive debut
Good Album!
I forgot how good this was. Minimal but very effective. Great vocals
I recognized a couple of the tunes from this record, which was interesting, as I thought I had never heard of this band or anything from them. There is some potential here for sure. I'll have to listen further.
Love this album. Less is definitely more here!
Modern indie staple, so much vocal chemistry between Oliver and Romy
I listened to this a lot when it came out, and it's super chill
Their music is cool as hell and it's wild to me this came out almost 20 years ago.
Материал сольный Джейми люблю отдельно, хх банила из-за хайпа в начале десятых. Первый раз слушаю полностью их альбом. Первая половина прикольная, последняя треть нудная. 4,5 точно, но не 5.
хороший альбом, просто, красиво, ничего лишнего, приятный вокал, 4 или 4.5 не могу определиться
I remember back in 2010ish, when Pandora was a popular music streaming option, the xx would pop up somewhat frequently. At the time, I didn't really care for them. I think I found the music boring to my then musical tastes (which were not particularly into indie). Listening now, though... I really liked this album. It felt super intimate, like I was in the room with them as they were performing/recording. And that room was someone's own living room, or bedroom. The sparse instrument arrangements and space felt purposeful rather than incomplete. The vocals were more of a conversation, two people stating their views on things with each other, than people belting out for the audience. The melodies were engaging and pleasant even if not complex. And, while melancholy for the most part, the album felt like something the makers were proud of. I think I was really drawn to the simplicity and honesty they captured. Of course, it still has some issues. There really aren't many parts that do anything different, so it all feels a bit the same. And, despite everything I liked, it was still a little boring. An intentional boring, I guess. It's weird how tastes and preferences can change. Where before I would've overlooked this album, today I enjoyed being immersed in it. The flaws keep me from saying it's something great, but it was still very good. Overall: 3.6/5
i guess it aint that bad i kinda like it but its not too crazy
00’s Indie ⭐️Infinity
Was big into this when it first came out, such an immaculate sounding album, great reverb and sparse arrangements. I think it suffers from the fact that the intro is probably the best piece of music on the album, and even though the singles are very strong it doesn't quite live up to what the first track promises. A really great and unique sounding album though, shame the follow up was a step backwards.
Een album wat ik op lp heb en goed ken. Toch ben ik iets minder fan van het album dan toen het uitkwam. Ik weet niet precies waarom. Het is minimalistisch en atmosferisch en ik hou van de afwisseling tussen de twee stemmen. Het is misschien afhankelijk van uit welke muzikale periode jezelf komt of dit aanslaat of wat meer langs je heen glijdt. Als ik het nu voor het eerst zou horen zou ik het een drie geven maar als ik het luister word ik op veel momenten toch teruggebracht naar die periode en zit ik er goed in. Het pakt mij nog steeds maar het verveeld ook iets meer dan toen, Het maakt ook zeker uit hoe je dit luistert. Het moet op speakers. Je hebt de bas nodig om de productie te horen.
Disco sobrevalorado
Very much enjoyed it. Especially the first song which is the only one I knew
This was well produced, the dual vocals are great. I’ll definitely listen again.
The singing is unnecessary
This is a very special album to me. I listened to this dozens of times during my formative teenage years.
atmosphérique calme petits riffs entêtants low volume voices slow simple growing sweet stripped resonating instrumental
someone said that this was music for suburban white girls born in the 90s which tracks. my ex who was all of those things introduced me to this band. that being said, I really like this album despite the association with her. it's got a unique sound
I've not listened to this as much as coexist, which pips this album for me. However the style still works well here, and it is well paced. High 4.
So many memories. They have quite a unique sound from such a familiar set up
In pop music more often than not, the tendency is to inject songs with an abundance of noise and energy, using this to create momentum, drama and a pulse. On their debut The xx achieved the same effect through making every effort to keep each song as small as possible. Each passage has the fewest number of layers they can get away with which creates a fragility and tension. It’s a cool point of difference that they whisper hooky melodies across the entire length of the tracklist. In 2009, at 16, I did find it a bit more profound than I do now. There is the odd sentimental lyric which doesn’t quite land for me. But largely it holds up in my estimation.
Nice background music
Surprised I seemed to know every song on this album. Then I remembered - I really liked them until I went into a tent at Reading Festival with a shocking hangover. They were playing and nearly sent to me into a lethargy coma. Haven’t thought about them or played the album since. Enjoyed it so my tip is play the album only when you’re in the right mood and don’t ever go to see them live.
Classic
The music is nice, really chill. I'm digging it. Romy Croft's vocals are really nice. I could kinda take or leave Oliver Sim's. They're fine. Not a bad listen at all, maybe just a little samey.
Very low key sound that I can sleep to /pos
I like the album, but it does not have the energy that I was expecting. It is an amazing album to listening when you are having a small party with friends at home in a lower volume, to fill the environment with a good and slow pace vibe
Has some bangers in here. Intro and crystalized mainly, but the others still fit the same vibe but don't throw quite as hard.
el indi que nos gusta a todos
Very influential album. Before this came out gossip girl originally said “oo gossip girl” but then they added the xx after hearing Intro
Starts well. Gets samey. But i like it.
I was really expecting much, but this was pretty good. A lot of the songs do kinda sound the same, but it is a good unique sound so it isn't so bad. I don't understand why intro is their top song by a good margin, I mean it is fine, I just don't really see much in it. I guess it's a Tik Tok thing. Mid 4.
Fedt album, talentet føles meget mere ligeligt fordelt end på den sidste vi havde med dem
Clean sounding production, simplistic, good songs.
Best Song: VCR This wasn't bad at all. It was needed after the run of bad albums I had to endure lately. A little more mellow than I was expecting and I can see a good use case of having this on while working/writing/cleaning. I will take this over some of the other garbage that came out in 2009. 4/5.
(V) One of my favorite records in the past 15ish years.
3.5 Depends on my mood
Good
A millennial classic. If there's an album that defines an aughts era style onward it's this one. And it definitely holds up.
I love The XX, but this album is a little sleepy. I prefer all the remixes on the dance floor.
feines album mit sanften tönen
Yeah, this is good. A complete unknown to me. Some of the trip hop and electronic elements from the 90s that I am ever so fond of. The call-and-answer singing duo works well in most of these songs. The lyrical content is perhaps not venturing beyond the usual pop themes, but hey, it doesn't have to.
Chill pop that leaks toward electronic. I enjoyed it.