I See You

Not unpleasant but somehow boring.

Third album by The xx (formerly The twittertwitter). Modern production fails to disguise a lack of quality songwriting. Rating: 1.5/5 Playlist track: A Violent Noise Date listened: 20/11/23

Modern indie is just Lite FM for people with full sleeve tattoos.

Remember when this dropped as the first post-"In Colour" xx release and it was immediately clear how Jamie was doing 90% of the heavy lifting for the band's musical output. The move toward greater sample usage meant the songs felt fresh, kinetic, and a bit more inspired than those of the band's previous output, and several of these tracks ended up in my heavy rotation. Looking back, however, it almost feels like this could've been "In Colour 2" and almost suffers for the other band members being there. Romy at least has some great solo moments that feel heartfelt and genuine, but Oliver feels kinda like he's just there to provide the obligatory male vocal and maybe play a cool bass line before going back to playing the root for every single bar. The project had clearly transcended both of them by this point and this one feels almost like an awkward goodbye in recognition of that, especially since everyone went their separate ways following its release. Regardless, it's by far the xx's best album and has some stellar standout tracks.

I'm confused with this entry, as there's no reference in the 1001 book or even the ex-1001 list. So I'm unsure why it's on this website. 🤷 As for the album itself, I enjoyed it, it's subtly sublime. Though I preferred The xx's first album (which was previously listed in the book, now an ex-1001, or "xx-1001" for the dads in the room 🤦).

Having known Jamie XX for a little bit I never made the connection that he would be from this band. Honestly this album blew me away in how much it vibes and flows into itself. An album that feels like it was made for late night driving. Not an album for every moment but when this album clicks it's exactly what you need.

Here are some adjectives other than the word ‘boring’ to describe ‘I See You’ by The xx. dull mundane stale stodgy tame tedious tiresome uninteresting

didnt expect to be that good. loved that kinda sweet trip touch and pop/electric genre. 9.5/10

This was marginally better than their first two albums. The music utilized sampling very well and created a nice quasi club-like atmosphere. The musicianship was all fine but the album sounds like it should have been released about five years prior. The vocals are just dreadful though. The male voice was better on this album, but I just cannot stand the female voice. There's a fake soul-like quality to it that is just grating and thin sounding. The affection in general is just puzzling and there is an occasional awkwardness to syllabic placement. There are so many indie bands from this period who are more original and are much more deserving of a place on this list.

This is the music that comes on at 10pm when your driving home and your phones dead so you can't listen to your own music and your wondering if it's worth driving home in silence just so you don't have to listen to such trash.

I know this app is neither sentient nor, indeed, responsible even for the albums on the docket - but if I could appeal to its mechanical heart, I would way "please, no more of The xx". That this music is so highly esteemed is utterly, utterly baffling. It has as much heft as candyfloss. The vocals are annoying and churchy, though sometimes the guy sings like a robotic frog. No más. Avoid.

About as much substance as the royalty-free music that accompanies pre-teen contemporary dance recitals. The singers sound like they’ve never had a single emotion in their lives and are pretending they know what it’s like to feel but they’re don’t actually get it. I’m genuinely astonished this album’s not rated lower on this website. Sure, it’s more radio-friendly than most the stuff at the bottom of the global stats, but it commits a far worse crime than being “unlistenable”: being boring as hell

These guys again? I just rated their debut album a rounded down 2.5 stars 25 albums ago. I'm afraid they didn't get much better. They went from a toned down and uninspired yet pleasant shoegaze-meets-indie-pop to what seems to be toned down chill-club-muzak. The instrumentation might have worked with much better vocals. The vocals might have worked with more intense and touching instrumentation. The combination is lacklustre to say the least. This is probably still my most listenable 1-star rating on this list, but I can't bring myself to give it anything higher.

Jamie's rhythms and beautiful sounds, Romy's and Sim's gorgious voices are once again an immense joy to hear.

I liked xx by The xx (the previous album that came up on here) very much. While I’m always a little skeptical when a second album from a group I never heard of appears, this album is really terrific! I See You retains that kind of moodiness of xx but brightens things up without losing the feel. The album opens strong with Dangerous and after the first four songs I thought we were headed for another 4 rating. Then Performance played and the lyrics grabbed my collar and had my full attention. Who knew such a restrained song of heartbreak could be so devastating. After that Replica… “Your mistakes were only chemical. Do I chase the night or does the night chase me?” The moodiness isn’t completely dark on this album though. Brave has such strength and hope powering its sentiments. What can I say about On Hold? It’s phenomenal. As it started I thought we were in for another moody tune, but the beats fade in and Hall & Oats’ loop helps elevate this into a perfect late night dance floor tune. I can’t get enough of this song! I Dare You is so wonderfully joyous - these are the feelings that makes a relationship. And yet The xx’s trademark restraint is still quite present. What a compelling love song. Test Me closes the album leaves us with the quieter, restrained The xx style with those complicated feelings creeping back in. I See You is an incredible exploration of relationships and the complicated feelings one has while in them that had me spellbound. I’ve already listened to the album four times and I can’t get enough. So, so perfect.

Started off strongly but sort of melts into a puddle of sameness.

Why this

Ehhh

Not as good as they think they are

True wallpaper music.

it's like lift music. its a collection of sounds that don't offend but also don't arouse any interest.

Did this group really need 2 entries on this list? Thinking of all the other great artists that aren't included AT ALL, subjecting us all to another go-around of this boring vibe music feels malicious. If you like this sort of thing, great, but this isn't radically different from the other XX album here to warrant a 2nd inclusion.

i’m really trying to not give threes anymore and I feel like I either have to be harsher or more lenient and honestly for this one I think I’m gonna have to be harsher. I don’t think it gave me anything I was looking for it wasn’t anything new and that’s why I’m gonna give it a two I just feel like sure they were cool aspects to it but all in all it wasn’t a memorable experience and for just listening to it yesterday I don’t quite remember how it sounded and usually I can recall a little.

No you don’t. Wish I hadn’t heard you.

Really didn’t like this

This is not a very good album.

wank

This was pretty terrible and makes me reconsider whether whomever put this list together really understands good music or not. I could have gone my entire life without listening to this and would have been just fine. However, it still isn't as bad as Everything But the Girl.

loved!

Rating: 9/10 Best songs: Dangerous, Say something loving, Lips, A violent noise, Replica, Brave for you, On hold, I dare you

Great stuff. Was a big fan, still am.

Amazing album. Jamie xx puts on a master class of production. Oli sim and Romy have perfect contrasting voice that puts your soul at easy

This was great! I especially loved the lyricism.

So cool, some of my favorite songs, great production

Well holy cattle, batman. That was a sensational album. Loved it from beginning to end.

Wow! i think i like them! Crystalized is the one of those ive heard, but theyre all good so far. Ill give em a rare 5. Sometimes it just hits right.

incroyable si on me demande

Un 5 et rien d'autre

Beautiful voices, album is a mood.

Cool

Wonderful album, the best by The XX

Awesome!

Already an album well enjoyed.

Ethereal, haunting masterpiece. Loved it complete 10

best

Well now I can't stop listening to this. Cool club-ish grooves, great vocals, original sound.

So beautiful

Beautifully produced, great flow.

Great beat lyrics and mix of instruments

Perfecta continuación de uno de los mejores debuts de la historia y de Coexist. Un disco que suma el talento de Jamie y Romy proyectando lo que será su excelente debut en solitario (y los imperdibles de Jamie XX). Son los mismos The XX, pero diferentes, más coloridos pero igual de inspirados. Ya desde el inicio de Dangeorus te das cuenta de que es otro disco especial y con Say something loving coges altura y no bajas. Lips, ritmo bailable con cuerdas, guitarras y bajo marca de la casa. A Violent Noise y Performance remiten a los discos anteriores. Replica es un maravilla, esa guitarra tan The Cure ,tan The XX, y esas voces que juntas suenan celestiales. Brave for you sigue la estela. Jamie XX tira de samples como genial complemento, por ejemplo en On hold, la mejor de todo el disco (la Being Boring del siglo 21?), con I Can’t Go For That (No Can Do)’ de Hall and Oates (empleado también por Simply Red en Sunrise) aunque tanbién hay sitio para Drake en Naive (en la versión Deluxe). I dare you es otra de las gemas del disco, otra joya para la colección. Echan el cierre con la exquisita ambientación de Test me. 2017 tuvo otros buenos discos: Melodrama de Lorde, Slowdive de Slowdive, DAMN. de Kendrick Lamar, Arca de Arca, Los Ángeles deRosalía, MASSEDUCTION de St Vincent Cigarettes After Sex de Cigarettes After Sex, American Dream de LCD Soundsystem, Pure Comedy de Father John Misty, A Deeper Understanding de The War on Drugs, Sleep Well Beast de The National ...

фантастика

Love me some XX. 5 stars.

really good album

Beautiful, I loved it!!! Fave track: on hold

cool

Had never heard of this one or the musicians—very pleased with the listen. Actually playlisted it and would never heard of it without this experience. Just the right tempo and style to get this old girl off the couch and moving around. Really steams me to hear folks ‘my age’ complain about ‘music these days’ when no effort is made to crank the radio dial past the Oldies channels. Kill me now… I may not care for all of these albums, but listening to them is broadening my brain instead of grouching my disposition and I thank you for that.

Another superb album by The xx, I have no words to describe how this band always impacts me.

Sounds a lot the first days of Florence. Great music

I enjoyed this one. I didn’t think every track was strong, but on the whole I liked the sound and would probably listen to it again if I was in the mood. It turns out I have listened to The xx before without realising it (on the Great Gatsby sound track - which is great btw) Nice to listen to something more recent - so far the challenged has been 30% 70s!

Another album that I wouldn’t pull first but for a day of listening, this should be on the stack.

No deep thoughts or analysis, I didn’t recognise the band or album but with a blind listen through was pleasantly surprised. Enjoyed this and kept on repeat for much of the day.

First listen for me. Lush-sounding album: the duo's vocals are great. I particularly liked "On Hold", which has the catchiest tune.

Very chill

I really connected with this album.

the xx at their best. Best track: I Dare You

A very easy listening album

Solid album. I've never heard of this band before yesterday. The two vocalists do an excellent job.

I do like this album and it's definitely got that XX style but it feels like the structure has become much more generic and sounds similar to a lot of other stuff. The vocals and lyrics are definitely them but feels like they lost a bit of what made the XX so original and good in places.

full review on ig: @musicwithnessa

Rimelig lækker moderne elektronisk indie pop

Jaimie XX carries.

Most of The xx sounds like two estranged lovers singing over the phone, their faces tear-stained, their choked sobs off-mike. This was a nice collection of that evocative sound.

I’ve listened to The xx previously, but hadn’t heard I See You until now. This album was a chill start to my morning. My favorite tracks were “Dangerous” and “A Violent Noise.”

Delicate and Powerful, this has a more mature feel to it compared to their previous albums. Dangerous is an absolute banger.

Based on the first track, I was really worried that this was going to be an EDM/House/Dance album, which I would have not enjoyed. BUT it was just a fakeout. A real emotional album, excellent lyrics, and instrumentation that supports it. A really wonderful surprise (as I've never listened to the xx before).

Wow, does this album sound different than their first. I'm pleasantly surprised!

Very enjoyable. It sounds very different to their classic debut album, but not in a bad way. They're able to still sound like the same band but explore some more upbeat songs and ideas

yeah sure okay!!

Lovely album. Great sonics and powerful lyricism.

It's paradoxical. Their voices are amazing, the vibe is cool, the beat/instruments is lean and ethereal. This so much feels like my jam, but the hits aren't too strong here. It's perfect vibe background music, but there's not a ton that is forever memorable. I like Dangerous and On Hold the best, but it needs a bit more of a hook to get me to the next level. Still, because everything else is so well balanced for me, i'm excited about what comes next.

This is my first time listening to The XX and I really enjoyed this album.

The XX are very good at creating atmosphere and vibe. The album sits very consistently in that atmosphere. I always like the contrast of male/female vocals together. Definitely enjoyed it. I also appreciate its not too long.

Good listen! First new album I’ve really liked

Dance rhythms. Horns. Keyboards.

I like this. It feels new and experimental and fun. Very cool. Shame they only have three albums, currently. 4/5

First album that I had never heard of the musicians, but I actually really liked it. I think that’s what this entire thing is about. Yea!!

Dream pop, alternative dance. Me ha gustado. Un 4.

Sterkt, men når ikke opp i katalogen.

Nice chill music with male and female vocals. I like this a lot. Nice to play with a date 4

8/10. Pleasantly surprised by a solid 2010s pick. I didn't realize "On Hold" had a good album to back it up, and in fact I liked some of the other songs a fair bit more.

Love the instrumentals and vocals

I enjoyed listening to this. The pacing / beat is slower than I typically prefer, but the ethereal nature of the music kept me interested and engaged. I struggled between 3 and 4 on this one, but ended up going with 4. If half stars were an option, 3.5

In the best possible way, all The xx songs sounds like openers or closers. It's grandiose, moody and atmospheric to boot. It also leaves me longing for the actual body or essence of the record which all of the tracks seem to be nicely wrapped around. Like a well-wrapped gift with nothing inside. But damn it's well-wrapped.

It grew on me. I thought it was another middling English record but Jamie XX created something more interesting by the end. Another sound scape to float thought this season of my life to.

Not bad. A kit of reverb, synth and clean guitar and good chord progressions. Where are the drums though?

I dig it! An electronic pop album with very solid songs. A nice suprise given the release date and the style

Zeer aangename sfeer op dit album. Ik hou van hun dromerige stijl

Not what I expected and that's a good thing. I want to check out their other albums.

This was almost a 5-star album for me. So close. It's great. Legitimately great. It's just a smidge too dated to earn full marks, though. For an album released in 2017, so many of the songs feel like they were released in the mid-aughts. That's enough to dock it a star. But only barely. It's a great album that I'll be revisiting.

Awesome.