xx

Chill vibes, a little repetitive towards the end

Great "slow pop" album and intro remains one of my favorite instrumentals ever

I liked the song Crystalised, But the album is a Bit difficult to listen to when you’re on a bus and there’s so much noice around… Not my kind of music genre, But I have heard some of those songs before in Ads or like reality tv

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 get it... Indie pop, indie studio, art school, Rocksmith Islands, moody Crystalised hooks, Jamie xx beats, and an entirely stoic stage presence. I see what you did there.

I really like how this album sounds. It's something that I really like about indie, the guitar, the drone, the vocal tone. But, I do think this album is a bit basic and surface level. There is better indie music out there than something like The xx but honestly, this album is pretty good. Favorite Tracks: Intro, Crystalised, Heart Skipped A Beat, Shelter Rating: 3.5/5

The familiarity of the intro and liked it a lot. Bit of a dip down to the next track but seems most popular tracks are first 4. Kinda drab and feel like songs that are primed to drop the beat or get going, but they never really do. I’m all for moody electronica but just doesn’t feel very accomplished or skilful. Kinda like some moody college students got a free copy of Cubase. Lacking depth or variety or skill really. Pretty samey, uninspired and edging on parody at times. One of those albums that just makes me increasingly angry at its lacking.

This ones aged like fresh fruit. whiny neeks making car advert music

Too dull to hold my attention. Mikey put me right off!

Forcibly reminds me of year 9. Listening to this meant you were one of the cool kids. Feels very familiar now but the minimalism was incredibly striking at the time.

High 4 best song: Islands Great songs, unique sound, close to a 5

Made me extremely nostalgic for being on Pandora radio at the beginning of the 2010s and I would use one of my precious skips every time a song by the xx came on. In retrospect, this album isn't terrible. It's very 2009. I can't say that I hate the songs as much as I used to, but I will probably continue to skip them in the future... for old times' sake.

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

You can hear so much of modern indie in this album. It gets a bit formulaic at times but overall its pretty strong and worth revisiting often

xx: the xx: I was interested at first, but this shit is so bare and boring as hell. It all sounds the same, its super basic, and the male vocalist kinda sucks. A shame. 4/10

I wanted to like this album. "Intro" is pretty solid and the only The xx song I've heard before. It sets a cool tone that the rest of the album just doesn't match. It's rather straightforward angsty indie fare with simplistic beats and didn't do a whole lot to keep my interest, and that's a shame. The thing that bothered me most were the very breathy, nasally, vocals that were off-putting to me. I also wish there had just been more energy poured into this album. It falls flat for me. The synths and a very distinctive guitar tone are the saviors here and I caught myself just latching on to those sounds to try to pull something interesting out of the tracks. Standouts were "Intro" and "Basic Space." Struggling with whether to give this a 2 or 3. It probably falls between that, but I think it's a 2 for just being not that interesting or musically impressive.

average indie band 3/5

Austere. How many different songs can you make with identical timbres and instrumentation? Considering the career Jamie XX went on to have, this is a bit of a shame. I remember how cool they initially sounded, and when they get it right, like on VCR, it's incredible. There's an amazing 4-5 track ep here, but with a bunch of filler added. A low, low 4.

Beautiful. One of the defining albums of its era.

# Album Name: XX # Artist: The XX # Rating: 4/5 # Comments: Great start to the album. Three heavy hitters which were released as singles from memory. Its quite a basic album - sombre, slow, minimalistic. But its a nice change of style and pace for me. It definitely has a place in my listening rotations. Strong start but it does start to tail off at the end. # Top Tunes: VCR / Crystalised / Islands / Shelter # Would I listen to it again? Yes

Moody and interesting. I liked this a lot more than I thought I would. Points sounded like 80s new wave with a modern twist.

4-

It's not bad but it's very boring.

I like the vibe of the album, how it is itself. But it probably doesn't make a difference if it's 20 minutes long, or 40 minutes long, or 60, it's gonna be the same. If there were more albums like it, I would hate it, most certainly. But yeah, makes good use of silence here and there, a bit of an unique vibe, please no more albums like that.

Amazing, beautiful beginning to the album but it declines towards the end.

Omg this is really good

3.5/5

Slow, sultry, like a sexy lullaby. It's really as if The xx invented their own genre. Hard to believe they were only 20 when this came out. Way to find a niche, y'all 👏👏👏

Basic and simple but needs expansion to really grow

It's the first time I have listened to XX. I drove to work today listening to this group and they sounded great. Relaxing. 5/5

Interesting - sparse, but not cold and distant. There's a bit yearning, a bit of longing here. I think I've heard something from this in the past, but didn't go digging into my last.fm history to find it. Evokes some of the one-hit-ish wonders from the 80s - doesn't seem like it had a lot of staying power. Middle of the road for me, 3 stars.

I’ve heard this album before. Love it!

Nothing stands out and is very slow and instrumental focused. Still quite good but nothing jumps out as a banger.

Schon super, aber kein Highlight für mich dabei, um sich dran festzuhalten

Überraschend gut. Gute Songs abholend und nicht anstrengend

Started out great, but ultimately sounded pretty much the same all the way through.

I can take it or leave it. I guess I'll leave it.

Pomalé balady, není to můj šálek kávy

Very minimalist, simplistic, repetitive and reverb heavy indie pop with vocals that sound like they're falling asleep. It reminds me of the sensation of being hungover and feeling tired and sad. Not enjoyable at all. I barely understood a word they said though so maybe I missed something.

Good vibes

Woah

Subwoofer required

i don't think any other indie album was as influential on the overall sound of the 2010s as this one, and I'm not sure if that's a good thing or bad thing anymore.

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

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

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

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

I really liked it, very chill and nice to listen to but also blends into the background a little too easily imo. Not surprisingly quite similar to jamie xx's solo stuff but I think I do like his music a bit more

A good duet album. It's pretty hipster-ish but I enjoyed it. Good vocals from both of them and the melodiea were nice. Close to a 4

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!

Inoffensive and kinda boring. Whisper indie. Its ok.

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

I think this first song is used in like... Basketball promos? I can't believe that in 2009, we're still getting out of tune vocals on otherwise fully produced tracks. I definitely see the parallels to post punk. Crystalised is really familiar but I can't place it. It's so annoying to hear vocals on studio tracks that sound like they were recorded without monitors, but there's still something here. I think there are good songs on this album. I think they would jump out more if the vocals sounded better. I'm going to listen more. This would get a higher rating if the vocals didn't bug me so much.

This was pretty good overall. The atmosphere is chilled, but makes you nod your head.

Very personal sounding and calm.

I know this intro song, i like it. But for a moment, this sounds like an ad theme song haha. Cute background music. I mean I don't see myself listening to this. I'm not so impressed with the singing/vocals. Maybe even a bit boring.

3

Resumiría el álbum diciendo que transmite mucha paz / calma con el sonido de ambientación, los acompañamientos y las melodías vocales. No es el género de nicho que suelo escuchar y con el cuál estoy relacionado, pero esta chevere.

This shit sucks. Bailed half way. I have no idea who decided to put this thing on here, but they’re a fucking dork. Sounded like background music that would be playing at caffeine free vegan coffee house

xx still hits like a stolen glance across a dark nightclub. Hefty bass, bare arrangements, and that uncanny intimacy between Romy and Oliver — vocal chemistry that transcends orientation and turns vulnerability into tension. Jamie xx would go on to be the MVP, but this debut is lightning in a soft-spoken bottle. Minimalist and magnetic, it’s aged like smoke and good perfume — barely there, but unforgettable. As essential as the day it arrived.

...

Twee, but not insufferably so. Decent enough background music but I'd be surprised if I ever listened to it again.

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.

Je ne connaissais pas tant que ça. Moi aussi faudrait que je réécoute mais ça manque un peu de piquant.

Ça va prendre une 2e écoute, ça sonne gros indie des '10s. J'imagine c'était des précurseurs. Ça me fait rire que sur Spotify leur plus gros hit c'est Intro.

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 think crystallised is a great song but the vocals are unbearable after a few songs

Pleasant. 3/5

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

The instrumental music was fine, but the vocals were really not my style.

This is the soundtrack to my college days!! I remember this album was big!! I saw them at lollapalooza and it was a little too big of a venue for that type of music. First half is loaded!!

decent

Intro is classic tense love island music.

Probably a 3.5

You're such a loser for keeping this album on the list yet dumping MGMT and The Killers. English punk rock must have sucked you dry. Still good, arguably the best post-punk on here.

I’ve given this album a shot plenty of times, but I always leave underwhelmed. Jamie’s fantastic though, and their influence on pop can’t be understated. I guess I just look for a certain different sound when I want minimalism.

Xxx

Enjoyed the songs with female singer on lead vocals.

Büro, Heidenheim, Deutschland. Tolles Album!

Not for me. It's really dull. Heard before ❌️ Listened this time ❌️ Revisit ❌️ Boring ★★☆☆☆

Antes pegarme un tiro que oír esto.el nombre del álbum hace honor a su música

If the best song on your album is called "intro," there might be a problem. I don’t know what to say about this album. I can’t say it’s generic because it’s not, but at the same time, it’s not really interesting and quite forgettable. There’s not much going on; it doesn’t have much to say. It’s not bad but not very engaging.

A strong 4. It wanted to be a 5 but it just didn't quite get there. It really tried though

I love the XX. This album generates a tremendous vibe. Intimate, passionate.

There's nothing really wrong with this album, it exists and it's an okay listen (even enjoyable, at times), but it doesn't instill much confidence that I would recommend it to anyone. The sound is stripped down, with the rhythms created on a laptop, which explains why it lacks much emotion or character. I don't mind the vocals and the music is easy to listen to, so that was great. I just can't understand how or why xx made the list. Is it essential? no. Will I die more peacefully if I listen to this? maybe, but it will be a slow, boring death that no one will notice or care about.

I enjoyed it. Minimalistic and simple, but intimate and reaching the heart.

Dad- 6 Mom- 5 Mike- NA Lori- 5 Michael- 6 Miles- NA Cole- NA Avg- 5.5

Not my thing. Understandable that it's one of the most influential, as it heavily influenced shoegaze and indie pop, but for me not only this album is extremely raw, the songs it heavily influenced are the ones i particularly don't like.

16/1001 :: The XX - xx Heard before? ✅ Would I revisit? ✅ Rating: Light 7 Fav Tracks: VCR, Crystalized, Islands Was super into this album when it dropped in 09. There’s an effortlessly cool factor to these songs. Also, the way their voices intermingle is really special. I do think the 2nd half of this album trails off compared to the first album but there’s an ouch here that warrants repeat visits.

It’s hard for me to accept that this might be one of the best albums ever. Really? But I’m always game for some spare, beautiful melancholy. More mood than substance, though.

7/10

This is a new-to-me band, so I had no expectations. I enjoyed the music. Chill vibe. Pleasant as background music. Three stars.

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

Sparce, yet deliberate and engaging. It feels every sound was intentionally put in place.

Solid ambient, 2.5

I remember the first song, but it is really boring other than that.

I think every song was just made up of F and C - dull but vibey

This one’s quite nostalgic - i remember these songs being everywhere

Good

Mix one part peak Cocteau Twins, two parts early New Order (insouciance toward singing on pitch: it's not just for Bernard Sumner anymore!), one part Robert Smith at his navel-gaziest, one part Chris Isaak's "Wicked Game" (repurposed here for "Infinity," the standout track that imagines what happened after those two impossibly attractive people finally had to leave the beach and go back to the allegedly real world), one part Millennial post-everythingness. Bake while lying on the floor in your mate's flat for 38 minutes or until just kinda done with life. It's not that they're afraid of desire, it's that they don't quite know *how* to desire anything, not really. I see why it resonated - and why it still resonates.

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.

I don't come back to this one much anymore, but I was an early fan of this record when it came out. It's understated, which caps the ceiling, but still a solid album. 4.0

Solid album but nothing special.

Så väldigt brittiskt, sammansmältningen mellan pop och klubb. Skört och vackert. Men fastnar inte riktigt hos mig.

3* review Couple of ok tracks but quite lazyly put together and mundane

Oh, this is ambient background music for hipster coffee shops. I feel like I missed a lot of 00s indie as it was happening, but going back much of it feels flat and rather lifeless. This is no exception, so I guess I didn't miss much.

Great. Not what expecting given 2009 popularity. Can see why took off and inspiration that followed

Just background music, nothing special. I think it could be better if it's just instrumental.

It's been a while since I've listened to The XX's debut album - an album I really loved when it first released. I was pleased to find that it holds up really well. There's a real intimacy to this record that I think they lose on subsequent releases.

I've seen this album around for years, I never expected this type of sound for some reason. Very comforting reminds me sooo much of my preteen years so very pottery club and 2010 love it

This really seems like something I should like: atmospheric and minimal production, cold instrumentation, male/female vocals, programming. It's fine, but ultimately kind of mundane.

Too low energy for me, its like ASMR as an album. Almost fell asleep towards the end. Favourite Song: Crystalised

Music made to be played in Pac Sun c. 2015 Faves: Intro, Fantasy, Infinity Indie Pop. August 14, 2009. British/English. 11 tracks. 38:34 runtime.

i liked it :)

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

Heard the first song before, Intro. Was very familiar, maybe from a commercial. This album was pretty decent and chill. Listened to it in the car and it made for a nice car ride.

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

I am giving this one the benefit of the doubt. It is slow, simple, and similar across the board but for this one I feel like that could be flipped and called calm, easy, and consistent.

Listened to this biking through Brooklyn, maybe anything is nice doing that but this kinda hit in that setting. Still not my fav tho. 2.5

Unfortunately, too annoying for me, even though I can appreciate that the production is incredibly clean and the songs are like nice enough. But something about the style irks the hell out of me.

Would give 6 stars if I could

No doubt it influenced a certain sound in early 2010s British music but I find this a little boring and one note. Some great tunes that would score dramatic scenes in teen dramas for years, but the overall experience is only okay.

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.

Never got into The xx, even though I feel like I should have. There was a small window a little after the time when this came out that I got into this type of indie-ish sounding music, but I think I was a little late to the party and was exploring other artists on the rise. Fast forward to today and I just don't really vibe with this type of music anymore. It's definitely not bad and I can appreciate it for what it is, but I won't listen to it again.

Pretty chill and moody. Really stacked the front of the album, the back half sucked. Didn't enjoy the singing style where they soft of half enunciate. I felt very neutral toward the end because of the good tracks are at the beginning. Deserves 4 stars though for having three really solid hits.

I wonder if having a dumb name is why I never heard of these guys. They’re a perfectly fine innocuous band. Enjoyable enough.

Idk it's ok I guess

That was some pretty good vibes from an indie band I've never listened to before

• 4/5 • Nicely catchy dream pop from Romy and Sim that stands above the rest by virtue of being built on the scaffolding of Jamie’s beats

Well thought out. Has a consistent flow. However after multiple listening I didn't like the vocals. The music is melodic and nice. But samey

Groupe inconnu. L'album commence bien, avec une introduction quasi instrumentale sympathique (+1). Les voix rentrent au second morceau, avec un accompagnement assez minimaliste plutôt réussi. Mais ... je n'aime pas trop la voix masculine. Même constat pour les morceaux suivants, j'ai eu beaucoup de mal à m'habituer à la voix masculine, mais j'ai bien apprécié l'ambiance (+1). Donc découverte intéressante, mais qui ne rejoindra pas ma collection. =>3/5

Desde la inconfundible “intro” hasta “Hot Like Fire (Bonus Track)” “XX” de The xx es un álbum completo de música alternativa antes de que este género saltase masivamente al mainstream en la década de los 2010s. Un sonido muy limpio con instrumentos tocados de forma muy sutil y las voces de Romy, Oliver y Baria casi susurradas que cantan sobre el amor en la juventud, la soledad. Sin ser mucho mi estilo musical, se me ha hecho ameno y reconozco que es un sonido que ha inspirado a muchos de los artistas que crean música a día de hoy; incluso a Rihanna que sampleó “Intro” en su tema “Drunk On Love” de 2011.

Good stuff

This is an album of perfect OSTs that never were. There's so much space for something else in this album: be it a complimenting video, prominent instrumental solo or vocals from people actually opening their mouths for singing. What is on it is beautiful and stylish, but for most tracks it is not enough to grasp me emotionally or intellectually. Highlights: intro, Crystalised, Night Time.

Oddly soothing, considering how monotonous and bland it is.

160/1089 - I like how the voices sound production-wise but dislike how they sound quality-wise. The female vocal is better than the male vocal. It's probably not very good when the best thing I can think of to say is that it sounds inoffensive. The song structure was alright in the beginning, and Islands was cool.

DIE DIE DIE

Pre-listening thoughts: man we have gotten a ton of 2000s recently what is going on Post/during listening thoughts: ya know I was excited for this one cause it was a post 2000 pick, and I shouldn’t have been. It was so mid. Quiet ass songs that go nowhere. It’s like if someone put a shitty beat over Of Monsters and Men. Bleh. 4/10 DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: no Fav tracks: Islands, Night Time Least fav tracks: Crystalized, Fantasy, Basic Space

A bit repetitive

9/10

it just sort of plods along but i dont hate it

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

Alright, not my favourite genre.

Nice production, but this needs a lot more instrumentation, better singing, and catchier hooks, or at the very least more songs that actually go somewhere. These tunes feel very underdeveloped. I only really liked 2 tracks.

When this dropped, as soon as every televison music director heard it, they all said: "GET THIS SHIT IN THE SHOW RIGHT NOW". I like it though, it builds the right atmosphere.

This is a very nicely produced, chill, atmospheric indie pop record -a late night album because of the calmness and simplicity. Perhaps it is a bit too soft for my taste, and not as melodic as I thought it would be. Not sure I'd listen to it again, 3 stars overall.

I can't imagine how seeing this live would be any good at all. Nothing happens and everyone is whispering. This is lame.

I enjoyed this one, nice listen and very chill/atmospheric.

This album starts out great, big tunes in the first half then gets less great and samey towards the end

Snore

Decent. A little too slow for me. Poppy, just not something I’m gonna promote.

Remember when this was absolutely everywhere? We all got very into laidback beats and mumbled vocals from (I imagine) posh lads from (I imagine) East London. Then they disappeared and you'd just occasionally see the name Jamie XX appear on line-ups of things you'd never go to? Anyway, this album brought that period right back home. Being 25, wondering if really I just needed to spend several months chilling out and listening to the XX to compensate for having a life of almost zero true responsibility or hardship. These are the thoughts I had within about 14 seconds of the Intro to Intro starting. Afterwards, I just quite enjoyed it really.

As much as I have listened to the opening track aptly titled "Intro" and think it is a great song to write or code to, I didn't know much about this band, but I had high hopes. Sadly, the album did not live up to the expectations at all. The music was so stripped down I thought my audio balance was off and I was missing a channel.

That sounded like Kirsten Stewart's face expressions in Twilight, only worse. The music isn't that bad, but the singing really is. They would have gotten one more star if it had been instrumental, but there really isn't much I enjoyed in that album.

Chilled, not my fav but decent

Good enough.

Vilka röster och framförallt när de sjunger unisont! Skön indie. Den instrumentala låten Intro är en pärla! Fyra plus!

I still don’t get the hype, but it is much more palatable now. Still just so … blah, but in a dreary way.

This could be a right place right time kind of album, but it was very soothing to listen to on this cloudy Friday morning. I think it has an intrinsic value of 3 but has been elevated to a 4 due to circumstances.

Definitely a little slow, but it felt like this kind of indie pop was a nice change of pace on this list.

This is my jam. I'm surprised I didn't know of them, but I'll blame it on being in the middle of my babies at home years, the musical dark period in my library. Heart Skipped A Beat was a favorite.

meh, some catchy songs, quite slow paced and minimal throughout and uninspiring

It's not inherently offensive, but I don't see how it's on this list. I did not "need to hear this before I died". Solid enough, but nothing special. 2 from me.

"And the winner of this year's Paper Merchant of the year award: Wernham, Hogg & Partners!" Applause. The lights go down on the sparsely packed conference room in Hull's Premier Inn as a bloated troupe of polyester and cholesterol make their way up to the stage to accept their prize, to reap the year's sow. The XX's Crystalline plays as they do, practically an anachronism in this cursed purgatory but Phil the middle aged conference manager insisted. He heard it on an iPod commercial and knew this was the dynamism the Paper Merchant awards needed. But the effect is more like having a Beatles cover band play a dementia home: it's a cruel simulacra of artistry, barely real enough to find some tortured resonance in the few braincells left in the room but nothing that'll knock them off the course the Lexapro has set for them. It sucks, basically. History will not be kind to this era of popular music.

Electric guitar, a bass, and a drum machine. Minimalism done exceptionally well. The XX’s debut is wonderfully cohesive and hits just the right spots with its interplay of echoing bass and dancing guitar lines. I also admire the lyricism on display here. It’s gooey, and overly doe-eyed, but it’s honest and sentimental, and I really believe it tells a universal story of love and connection for certain peoples at certain stages of their life. Granted, it won’t be for everyone - but there’s a marriage of musical textures and sensuality in the vocals that’s just kind of perfect for a project like this. However, with that aforementioned minimalism comes a slog of a final act. Painting with only three colours can get a bit boring after a while, and that’s where we find ourselves here. Fortunately the closing tracks remind me of some of that spark, and offer an as yet unfulfilled promise of how to evolve this sound in a compelling way. XX scratches by with a 4/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Not what I usually listen to, inspired a lot of music you can tell tho

In which an iconic opening track is undone by a 33 minute long second track to close the album

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

Amazing record with some outstanding dream pop sounds

Just phenomenal

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

아.. 잘 모르겠네

The delivery and production works for me for a song at a time - as an album it drags

I loved this album when it came out, surprised by how much I still like it. Great production, really complete album.

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.

Fine.

Pretty good!

Very good album. Laid back vibe stripped back good vocals. Hypnotic. It’s a 3/4 but will give a 4

This is a solid contemplative pop album. I like the vocal duo, but their strength is in the strong, deep, brooding vibe they create. Not a lot of hooks or clever lines, but they hold your attention with their sound. At times it feels borderline ambient, but you still get the impression that even in those moments, they are intentional.

Not terrible but also nothing to get excited about

I really enjoyed this. I kind of read the description for the album and rolled my eyes a little bit, mostly because I think there have been enough English pop albums already on the list, but I did end up enjoying this for being a little moody and atmospheric jam chill record. 3.5/5

If you've consumed popular media in the last 15yrs, you've probably heard the first 4 songs from this album. Beyond that, the album will feel brand new if you can stay awake for it. Also- I refuse to believe the intro isn’t a Blue Man Group track.

Great voice, does what it says on the tin.

Never listening to this album, nor truly being familiar with the xx (I have the intro to this album saved but honestly could not have told you who the artist was if you asked me 12 hours ago). So when the intro came on, I was stoked because I do really like that song as a mellow chill focus on my work vibe. I thought it would be more of that lofi techno chill hop kind of an album, but it turned out to be lofi whisper pop. After the second song I was still bought in, and the intro still had me pumped for more after the 3rd song, but by the time the 4th song started I realized I’d been duped. Overall a boring disappointment. Nothing was done poorly, but nothing was really done at all. 4.2/10 #75/1001

I was hungover this day and the music kinda made me scared and anxious

The first album to kick off this list. I feel like all my notes throughout this journey are going to be "very chill" or "good jam," so I'll try to write something more haha. This album reminds me of the kind of music I would drive around late at night listening to. I particularly liked the songs "Shelter" and "Night Time."

I have no idea where I have heard these songs before, maybe some kind of medical drama? It’s mellow and soothing but a little sad to just throw on randomly.

I listen to SiriusXMU as background music while I drive, so I knew the xx as a pleasant enough transition between songs. There are a few decent tracks here, bt it's most just drifty less-than-dream pop. Good in bursts, tough as a whole.

One of the first vinyl records I bought. Holds up.

great vibes, very soothing to listen to.

Chilled album which has good parts

Super album.

A record that feels more about style than substance, it’s a slick distillation of dub, R&B, and early 2000 indie pop. The songs are minimalist, and the tempos and melodies sort of morph into one another into a background music soundtrack. It’s perfectly listenable, but a bit boring. Seems a bit too cool for school.

Pretty solid album, loved the vibes honestly. Nice open sounds and rhythm, chill but not too chill. Basic Space was lit. 3 stars

I’ve seen mention of this album before but I can’t remember where. I do remember there positive feelings toward it though from whoever I heard about it from. But within the first two seconds of listening I was kinda shocked because nothing like this had been on the list so far of the entire 116 or something we’ve gone through, like a minimalist sad boy alt rock vibes. So I may be biased in this review purely off the fact this is something completely different and is an easy listen but I vibed with this. I can definitely see myself returning to the mellowness of this record. I particularly enjoyed the choice to heavily use both vocalists voices through the whole album. Their voices work really well together and especially work individually really well with the vibe they’re going for here. It’s an easy listen but it’s a good listen. Nothing mind blowing, but certainly something refreshing.

Es muy buen album, me ha gustado mucho la vibración y tiene ese royo de los 2000s y junto a los 70s y 80s

PARKOUR???!!!!!!! I truly didn’t know that the xx was even a band

when I listened to this my audio visualizer microwaved a tumblr user wearing a jean jacket, plastic choker, and doc martens x_x xD there is no mustache emoji???

If they played on America’s Got Talent they would be the X X X getting buzzed off the stage :P The album just hasn’t stood up to the passage of time

One of the most 2009 albums ever recorded. Completely without substance and attempts to coasts on aesthetics. The aesthetics are occasionally nice, and when they actually try to write a song I kinda like it, but most of it is just nothing to me. From a critical perspective, I find it pretty offensive, but personally for me it is fine background music (there's a reason why "Intro 10 hours plus rain sounds" is so popular... this shit is meant to be played but not listened to). Fav song: Crystallized

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

bangers

when the two minute long intro is the best song on the album 💔 2.5

Liked it better than I did when it first came out.

Not bad. Wouldn't run back to it though.

I would love this album if I worked in advertising. I do not work in advertising.

Decent background music, but probably not one I'd revisit.

Intro does a great job setting the vibe for the rest of the album, the reverb guitar really stands out. Some of the songs are a bit too sleepy.

Chilled ambient.

I remember really digging this album when it came out. I can't say I love it as much now, but it's still pretty good. Kind of a makeout album, not meant to be scrutinized, just played for the mood.

Good starting, an iconic intro. But the rest of the album fell flat and I was ready for it to be over.

It's fine

I like the xx this album is perfectly fine

Great indie pop album with some really nice instrumentals.

Disco bem fraco. Não chega a ser exatamente ruim, mas não traz nenhum brilho, nenhum momento cativante. O destaque fica na produção, que traz bons timbres de guitarra e sintetizadores envolventes. Nem mesmo o contraste entre as vozes salva as melodias insossas e as composições sem rumo.

A presença desse disco numa lista como essa escancara o principal problema do livro. Tirando uma ou outra coisa latina ou europeia (tem Chico, Caetano, Milton, Kraftwerk), mais de 90% dos discos são de artistas e bandas dos Estados Unidos e Inglaterra. Não tem nada que justifique a inclusão desse álbum no livro. Pop sem graça e repertório fraco.

De intro schept verwachtingen die de rest van het album niet waarmaakt. Op een paar korte momenten na gebeurt er te weinig, zijn de melodieën te simpel of te saai en zijn de stemmen wat te zeurderig. Toen het album uit kwam werd je doodgegooid met de Intro, en snap nu waarom ik al die tijd enkel dat nummer heb geluisterd.

Prima wakker wordt muziek voor op de achtergrond.

lurve

This album got me curious. I liked some of the songs more than others. Easy to listen to the whole album. Not quite grabbing me.

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

There's a nightclub, empty, except for some reason all the missing people's drinks are on the tables, and smoke still curls through the air. There are two kids with complicated feelings and precocious pop instincts. The nightclub is about seven miles across and three miles high, the kids are recording their songs about a quarter inch from the mics. The rhythm section is tight and plays only exactly what it needs to.

This was long a staple at our house. Perfect rainy weather album to get some things done. Also makes a great driving record.

I am a fan of the XX and only got in to them via their 2017 album, which I love. I honestly never even went back and listened to their first album. It's pretty great, actually. I like it. Songs are maybe mediocre-ish, but what a cool vibe.

I’m with Elizabeth on this one—I feel like it’s fine? Easy to listen to, but minimalist in the wrong kind of way for me or something. Strong coffee shop soundtrack vibes, so maybe if I’d listened to it while I was working and I would have felt differently.

On paper this band is up my alley, but I failed to get into their music 15 odd years ago and still am not feeling it. I like “Islands” but the album as a whole seemed drab and unremarkable.

This is super fun indie pop, intimate danceable and soulful. Deep The Cure influences.

A lullaby album in both the best and worst sense of the word. I really like a couple of songs from this album, but overall, I do think this is a fairly boring and overrated album. There, I said it, now take away my "late millennial/early Gen Z" credential.

Nice, tidy, little indie joint. I liked it

oh, my Tumblr Teen Years™. This album was a huge part of my music taste when I was 14. Crystalize is still one of my favorite songs.

Wasn’t for me.

Sjukt härlig vibe och väldigt enkelt att fastna i soundet. Drömmigt <3

Bästa skivan hittills av en för mig ny artist! Kommer återvända till denna.

Very boring for me, but I see its appeal Edit:relistened at night and it's actually a pretty enjoyable album, I don't love it but it's decent at least

This was pleasant enough but felt really insubstantial. Just one mood throughout that was fine, but not exciting really.

Sounds like all the female alternative bands. All the same.

nije mi bio neš ni kad je izašao

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

Uma surpresa bastante agradável. Álbum bastante "audível" e que cria um ambiente muito interessante.

Highlights: Intro, VCR, Crystallised, Shelter, Infinity. In a nutshell: haunting and low key sexy. "...I've done things in small doses. So don't think that I'm pushing you away when you're the one that I've kept closest...go slow. Go slow." Crystalised, The xx A few months ago, I wrote in a review that if a guy brought me to his place and played D'Angelo, I'd make an excuse to leave. But if he put The xx's debut on, I would know he was trying to seduce me and I'd see where things would take us. The album is full of soundtracked moments. For instance, Intro could be set to the moment when two awkward teens who are clearly attracted to each other make the brave decision to talk and they share a kiss. Shelter could be about your first summer fling. Infinity reminded me of a synth drum reimagining of Wicked Game. Maybe this is all projection and it's a sign that I'm chronically deficient of love and sex in my life? File this under: "evolution of electronica and benchmark of dream pop" Overall: 7/10

Intro : ★★★★★ VCR : ★★★★☆ Crystalised : ★★★★★ Islands : ★★★★☆ Heart skipped a beat : ★★★★★ Fantasy : ★★★☆☆ Shelter : ★★★★★ Basic space : ★★☆☆☆ Infinity : ★★★☆☆ Night time : ★★★☆☆ Stars : ★★★★☆ Overall : ★★★★☆

This album holds a lot of nostalgia for me and I'm glad it's on this list. Even so, I can only take so much of this. Intro and Crystalized are great but the back half of the album did seem to drag on a bit. 5.5/10 (2.75/5)

Fine

Very enjoyable. Loved the record, loved the style

New to me, band and album. And yet, when the Intro fired up to open, it was a wait, what? who? moment. Overall, it's a pretty subtle, chill album, not remarkable, but also not awful. It's got a cool vibe that gets it over the 3star hurdle.

Legendary track to open the album, rest of the songs were okay. Not really my style. 6.1/10

An amazing album and I would've definitely rated it a 5 back in high school in that sad teen times, but not now. It still deserves it's place here and it's an easy 4

Remember this album from years ago and it was nice to listen to it in full. The standouts are “Crystalised” and “Islands” for me, and probably the main songs I’d return to. I can hear influences from the White Stripes but can also hear how they influenced 2010s indie/ pop with simpler guitar riffs, vocals and beats.

Did I like this? I did. Surprised as anyone

Nice back ground. Mellow cool vibe

Fine, but I certainly didn’t need to listen to it

Very boring and dull album where everything sounded the same. I’m also not a big fan of the breathy vocal performance.

Really loved this album

There were some nice moments and compelling musical textures - but after a while boring and so incredibly low energy. I am trying to imagine a scenario where I would put this disc on the player and imagine it would be while planning for a suicide...

Oh yeah, these guys. I remember when they were big. Never really got into them and now I definitely know why. Because they're boring af. 3/10

This album was very fun! It reminded me of middle school and how Indie music was at the time. I had never heard this album but have been a fan of Jamie xx. 6/10 Favorite track - intro

Good enough for one listen through but it’s kind of boring

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.

it's hard for me to pause my whole "boring music is bad" schtick to get deep into a very minimalist indie pop album, but this is a good one to do it with. the album opener, intro, is an absolute masterpiece and still feels as powerful in 2025 as it ever did. the next few tracks are pretty big as well, with VCR and Islands being my favorites. and i have absolutely no idea what happens after track four, despite listening to this album three times. this is a 3.5 for me on a normal day, and a 4 if i'm really jonesin for this sound. i'll round up since intro is such a banger. favorites: intro, vcr, crystalised, islands

i kind of enjoy a lot of the sounds. the intro is soo good. but i really can’t get with the vocals. i don’t know why but i just find them too boring and sleepy, unfortunately. fave song is shelter. i don’t mind the vocals and it’s a really nice song.

How bout the Intro, I’m sure no one’s mentioned that one yet. It’s very of its time already which doesn’t bode well for the aging of this album (2.5/5)

En av mina favoriter för alltid

Was okay. May listen to more.

sempre achei esse especialmente chato the xx sempre foi hype demais e pouca qualidade

eh...... falta tempero. mas tem algumas pedradas pra ouvir enquanto compra roupa na renner

Definitely not my style.

My guess is the average XX fan sits in the corner of an independent coffee shop, reading the Bell Jar, spends his days patronising women and thinking he is superior for listening to the XX

Nah. Didn’t enjoy it at all

I think crystalised and the intro hold up, but I had forgotten how sleepy most of the album is.

Okay.

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

Phew I bought this when it came out, really nice memories attached. I am happy to see it here and I don’t care what anyone else says

Boring

The sound is very sparse and clean. Sounds very ethereal, dreamlike. Something that rewards close listening, but also works fine as something to zone out to. The lyrics don’t stick out much to me. The vocal duetting adds a nice touch. Everything sounds like it’s floating. Fantasy sounds like a conversation with a ghost. Perfect album for a rainy day. It is not exactly my kind of music but I like it. I wouldn’t go out of my way to listen to it again but if I heard it I wouldn’t mind. Also the cover is perfect for the music, aggressively minimalist.

4+ Stars (12/15)

One of my faves. Easy album to listen to.

Chill vibe, almost too chill? Sleepytime music

💯

Chill minimal indie electronic.

diabolical that there’s two albums by them on this list? i said it before and i’ll say it again: retail music. i feel like im in a tjmaxx. it’s by no means the worst thing ive ever heard but i also do not care for it

Cortito, ligero, sabroso. Buen pop electroso bastante disfrutable. Lo único es que las canciones se sienten un tanto iguales en cuanto a temas, parece que cantan lo mismo en todas, pero aún así lo disfruté.

Good music to work to

Amazing, hypnotic. Heart skipped a beat stands out as best track.

One of the best albums ever

Doesn’t feel at the same level as the rest of the list but it was relaxing and I liked it.

I love how sweet and earnest it is. Demerits for that dude’s kind of whiny voice though.

a lovely, unique, genre-defining album. Never reached these heights again but is a very fitting record for this list

Somehow never listened to it before, it's nice enough but I can't say I'm fussed

What a debut. One of those albums where I listen i'm transported back to a moment in time. 4.5

It's been years since I last listened to this, but my opinion on them basically remains the same. They sound so so good for one song then I just get bored.

Favorite track: intro. Overall score: 3.5/10

Very calming album, love the bass on the album. My only gripe is that the songs are all pretty similar. They're all good though

Trochę mnie dziwi, że w tym zestawieniu jest więcej niż jedną ich płyta. Ale ta zdecydowanie jest lepsza - mocniejsze kompozycje, spójność i fantastyczny wokal (szczególnie damski). Nie jest to specjalnie ambitna muzyka, ale Pop też może być porządny i tu (moim zdaniem) jest. 7.5/10

This wasn't bad, it was just forgettable. It's ambient and overall pleasant, but none of it really stood out.

Not bad. I recognize it from the 90s. It’s completely 90s.

I did not use a private session for this one. Lots of mumbling which I think was supposed to come off as sultry and sexy, but instead me tired.

It’s official, I’m a fan of The xx. Two 4s in a row!

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

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