Reviews (page 2 of 7)
Great album. Not my favourite XX album (the self-titled one gets that nod) but it’s right up there for me and happy to have this on in the background while making dinner or hosting a dinner party.
Never got around to this one before. I love the debut by The xx and was expecting to enjoy this. Unfortunately it didn’t hit me on my first listen. I’m very happy I gave it another go. Dangerous, Lips and Replica were great but On Hold blew me away. Amazing album. For sure I’ll be looking for vinyl
Pas beaucoup d’amour pour The XX ici. Dommage. De mon côté j’adore. J’ai déjà écouté cet album 100 fois. J’aime le jeu entre la voix feminine et masculine, ainsi que la production de Jamie XX. Est-ce que son album solo sera dans le palmarès? Mes compatriotes ici présents seront pas contents! Replica, quelle chanson! J’ai des frissons à chaque fois.
It’s cinema 🙌
I love the XX, I finally saw this live in 2018 when they were touring this album, and it was magical and amazing. The video clip for Islands from their debut has stayed with me, and Coexist, their second, was the more significant album for me emotionally in the throws of teenagehood (Angels is one of the most beautiful songs ever). That being said, I See You has a lot to love also, Say Something Loving is stirring and addictive.
Impeccable timing from the generator! I watched their livestream from Coachella yesterday morning (I think one of their first shows in nearly a decade) and it was such a good performance, capturing songs that soundtracked a wide span of my teen years. And then here was this album a few hours later. I really love how they opened out their sound here, and start exploring a lot of the dance music sounds that each of them would individually pursue later. Enjoyed a lot of the songs more than I remembered and it was a great vibe. I Dare You is an all time fave for me, and I always think about the music video with very young Millie Bobby Brown finding the band performing in this abandoned LA temple?? Such an underappreciated song I think, and On Hold (plus the On Hold remix) holds up too. Hoping their fourth album is in the works?
Sehr, sehr gut.
5 stars
Electronic glory!
Vrolijk, dansbaar, soms wat melancholisch. Originele kijk op elektronische pop, de individuele inbreng van de leden brengt ze verder.
So good! Love the chill vibes and the smooth voices of this album. Id like to listen to this a lot more! Good for late night's and low key hangs. 9/10
High 4, love the album, I'm not sold on the last track as a closer
melhor surpresa <3
Такая музыка обычно нравится девушкам, я не девушка, но и мне нравится. Помню как альбом только вышел, уже давным-давно.
Used to listen to this years back. Great memories
I really enjoyed that. It was melodic and catchy. It had a darker tone that you could feel the emotion even in poppier songs.
Kendte p6 numrene on hold, og i dare you, men resten var nyt for mig. Åbneren er da for fed! Jeg er endt med at høre hele albummet 4 gange, takket være en kort spille længde, og catchy og finurligt lyd univers. Det er en lille 5er, men den er der helt klart!
Incredible discovery!
All bangers
The XX are definitely the best discovery to which this project has led me. I really like their debut album, and I have enjoyed this one just as much. It's going in my Tidal library and I know i'll listen to it often.
OHH okay here we go, i loved a couple of songs from their 2009 album! - oh i LOVE her vocals - "Dangerous" and "Say Something Loving" were a different sound than i expected, but then "Lips" played and it was like OH okay this is what i think of when i think of the xx - the vibes of "A Violent Noise" brings me back to my early 20s, really nostalgic - OH that synth line after the chorus on "Replica" my goodness - "Brave For You" is so ethereal, her vocals and guitar on this track is so lovely - "On Hold" ooh like the layering of disjointed vocals - the last track, "Test Me", feels like i am walking through my consciousness all in all, both what i expected and not! and i'm going to be that person, but it was SO nice listen to some non-male vocals after a long stretch of only men. four songs in and i threw this album in my saved list on spotify- will definitely listen to again :)
Another 5 star for me. This one is a whole vibe, I love the sound it’s going for. A beautiful melancholy, it’s a subtle sound that really hits emotional and I’m not a huge fan of electronic. Music. I think it tows the line so well all the way through.
9.5/10
Really love The XX. The beat and her vocals are so good
Outstanding
01) Dangerous - 9,0 02) Say Something Loving - 9,0 03) Lips - 9,5 04) A Violent Noise - 9,0 05) Performance - 9,0 06) Replica - 9,5 07) Brave for You - 9,0 08) On Hold - 9,5 09) I Dare You - 9,5 10) Test Me - 9,0 TOTAL: 9,20 (92/100) Current ranking: 35/661
Love 💕
Beautiful. One of my favourite chill out albums. Pleasantly surprised to see two xx albums make this list.
Such a nostalgia album for me. Big fan of I Dare You and Lips, they've been on many playlists since this came out
Absolutely fell in love with this... instantly became a favorite. I love the melody each song has and each song eases my soul a bit. Nothing harsh, not trance, this is mellow and mature. Feels good.
9/10 I love the xx. The dreaminess appeals greatly. 7-15-2025
own
Listening to The xx is such a dreamlike experience, it's really hard to describe. Their sound is so lush and sensual, and just manages to transport you to a completely different world while you can just fall asleep to some of the best and softest vocals out there.
Das gefällt mir sehr gut. Ruhige Musik, schöne Stimmen.
This overcomes what held back the first two xx albums, namely being too 'chill' or lacking exciting. Not to say that this is stuffed with bangers, but there is certainly more life here. Lots of solid hooks and a bit melancholic at points but still really good. Production from Jamie is basically flawless as well. 9/10
Lovely album.
Älskar det här soundet!
Loved this!
Not for everyone but I really liked the vocal interplay.
These guys are just great vibes. Massively helped listening outside on a hot sunny day.
I absolutely love how creative Jamie xx is. I know him from his solo production work, and to see him harness those inclinations into some smooth, funky, relaxed pop only makes it more accessible, not less interesting. Perfect use of duet, and my personal bias -- I love women with deep, raspy, or unique singing voices. When a record is this fully and completely realized -- I have to respect it. Did not expect to give this a 5, but here I am. What a pleasure to listen to.
Nice, always liked this album. Short but soft and somber with great beats
The XX brings the ideal version of pop for the modern age. Heartfelt, passionate and musically inovative.
Perfect album.
I especially liked On Hold, though I had never heard of the group.
Loved this album. Listened to it while shopping at sherms.
A very special album for me. On Hold does many things to me, as does I Dare You. This is one of my most valued CD's I still have at home and sometimes listen to. I wish the XX would reunite sometime. Until then, I give this album a 5 - because I know almost every single word, because 'On Hold' is one of the most melancholic tracks ever, because it's sexy, because the samples are great and because you really should listen to this with an open mind.
I loved the duet and it was beautiful
cool
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 ...
best
Wonderful album, the best by The XX
Beautiful voices, album is a mood.
Already an album well enjoyed.
Ethereal, haunting masterpiece. Loved it complete 10
Cool
Awesome!
Well now I can't stop listening to this. Cool club-ish grooves, great vocals, original sound.
Beautifully produced, great flow.
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.
Beautiful, I loved it!!! Fave track: on hold
Rating: 9/10 Best songs: Dangerous, Say something loving, Lips, A violent noise, Replica, Brave for you, On hold, I dare you
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
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.
Sounds a lot the first days of Florence. Great music
Great beat lyrics and mix of instruments
So beautiful
So cool, some of my favorite songs, great production
фантастика
Un 5 et rien d'autre
incroyable si on me demande
This was great! I especially loved the lyricism.
Great stuff. Was a big fan, still am.
loved!
Another superb album by The xx, I have no words to describe how this band always impacts me.
really good album
Love me some XX. 5 stars.
I was surprised to see this album instead of their debut but it was a joy to hear. You can really hear the soloists they’ll become. The sound has developed so much from the first album.
This was one of my favorite albums the year it came out. It’s a solid album and maybe the xx’ best album.
I was expecting myself to say something pretentious like "not even close to their first album" It isn't... but, god damn, they know how to play a chill mono-voiced sound to perfection.
I liked it, but not sure that I needed to hear it before I die.
always liked them
I enjoy the minimal production and both of their voices, very enjoyable vibes.
Enjoyable! Quite liked it
Downvoted by your standard thick prog/dad rock loving American. If having to listen to British albums annoys you then maybe this list isn't for you. Oh and be quiet, you are all annoyingly loud.
I wasn’t familiar with The xx, and although I’d seen their album *I See You* before, I hadn’t actually listened to it. In terms of their basic sound and vibe, The xx remind me a bit of the Eurythmics - in other words, *I See You* isn’t half bad for an electronica album. The “trick” here, as there, is the use of real instruments, which simply make everything sound more alive. Add to that Romy, a singer who strikes a good balance between emotion and control (and in this respect, too, reminds me of Annie Lennox). Did I actually like an electronica album? I have to admit that after the rather weak start with “Dangerous,” there’s quite a lot of good stuff to follow. It’s not exactly my new favorite album (it’s too quiet for that, and the concept doesn’t work with more drive - see “Dangerous”), but it’s a very pleasant surprise.
As a gateway into a particularly appealing form of electronic pop with terrific vocal performances, you’d be hard pressed to argue that the xx doesn’t belong on the short list. Olive Sim and Romy Madley Croft’s vocal melodies highlight Jamie Smith’s danceable soundscapes making this record thoroughly enjoyable. Not all songs work perfectly but they all have something to say. Say Something Loving, On Hold and I Dare You are the standouts for me. 4/5
What a pleasant surprise it was to see a The XX album (from 2017?!!!) and it’s thrown my listening schedule into disarray. Talk about a unique sound. Who else has produced such moody music, and can replicate the vocals of Romy and and Olly Sim? Some of their tracks can be a slight dud, but the power of the others (want to be on a road trip screaming Dare You) definitely overcompensate. And even then, this is an album I’ve overlooked from them.
из легендарного 2017 с душой. в свое время как-то не обратил внимание на сей шедевр
A solid album, start to finish. I especially liked Say Something Loving. Nothing that I wouldn't want to hear again. 4 "consistently great singing" stars.
Great vocals and nice easy music!
I like every album this band put out. Good vibes.
Forgot how much I love On Hold!
I remember liking their debut album when it came out. This is pretty enjoyable as well. Love the vocals.
Relaxed with a bit of pump. Nice experience.
When this came out it wasn’t my favorite. I am a little surprised to see it here, but it is British so… The thing is, it’s actually grown on me. Maybe I am just nostalgic for the feeling of this time, but I found myself really getting into this album. So 4 it is. My cheerleading continues. Boolean: yes, actually very glad to hear and hear again before I die.
Knew what to expect going into this after their last album, which incidentally has grown on me since my first listen. Don't think this is quite as good, but still a good listen. Recognised "on hold" but the rest was new to me. Somewhere around 3.5
It wasn't in my book...but dayum was it great.
Nicer groove
Bangers maar niet xx
Yllättävä musatyyli, mitä lie hienommalta nimeltään mutta olkoon nyt sitten indie poppia. Ehkä vielä yllättävämmin pidin tästä kovasti! Pitää kuunnella joku kerta kuulokkeilla. Hyviä biisejä, iso äänimaisema pienellä bändillä. Mielenkiintoinen, tunnelmallinen. 4/5
this is THE xx album, the first on here does not even compare
1 - Dangerous (some pretty off-kilter sounding chords and beats welcome us into this album. This one is a very groovy and moody track that offers an immediately captivating entrance into this album. An excellent opener by all metrics) 4.5/5 2 - Say Something Loving (some atmospheric chords and ambient washes to start this one. It has a similar shuffling beat to the opener but it's made more emotionally poignant by the heartfelt albeit imperfect vocal performance from both singers. There's something distinctly human about this one which I feel adds to the weight of this album) 4/5 3 - Lips (this one's beat veers close to the Latin and reggaeton beats that had overtaken mainstream pop at the time. This song uses the beat to help the song float along calmly, and the wiry noise squelches briefly wake us up. I must say this album is full of fun little details all bolstered by the strong production) 4/5 4 - A Violent Noise (sort of aimlessly drifts for the first half before a downbeat EDM instrumental gives the song some much-needed momentum. The singer sounds like he's reflecting on his life choices during a DJ set, having abandoned his turntables for this existential moment. Oddly evocative as an image, and the sound of the song itself is rather immersive if a little restrained) 4/5 5 - Performance (ending the first half is a forlorn ballad with the female singer giving a detached but still emotional solo performance. She kind of reminds me of FKA Twigs on this one for some reason. Instrumentally this song is a little too ambient for me and lurching violin stabs aside, there isn't too much to make this memorable) 3.5/5 6 - Replica (the bass thumps throughout this track and this whole song is rather downcast. There's some very pretty 80s inspired synths that offer brief moments of light, like moonbeams through dark windows. A good enough song to start the second half) 4/5 7 - Brave for You (somewhat aquatic in its sound, this is another downbeat ballad from the female singer about putting on a show and being someone she isn't for her partner. It would stand out a lot more if there wasn't another similar ballad 2 tracks ago, but the instrumentation is much more vivid on this one) 3.5/5 8 - On Hold (there's a nice buildup on this one until the first sort of restrained "drop." The whole thing sounds like a Bizarro World Calvin Harris song, which neither improves nor detracts from my perception of this song. I can see why it became a bigger hit than the rest of the album considering it came out at the prime moment for songs like this) 3.5/5 9 - I Dare You (carried by its synths and distant post-punk styled guitars. The song drifts from minimalism to a fuller, echoey sound. This one could have been a low-key single all things considered. Here it works just fine as a mid-tempo track late into the album's runtime, with the production really bringing everything to life) 4/5 10 - Test Me (a sparse, scornful closer about undue anger and a sincere wish for a partner to have become a different, better person. This song takes 2 minutes to build into this trippy, wild instrumental full of voices flinging out of everywhere. It's a memorable effect that neatly wraps up this very consistent album) 4/5 OVERALL - 7.8/10
Very enjoyable and unfortunately for other albums, this artist has some bias working for them
Well somebody made some money and bought some new toys. This band’s debut album was on heavy rotation in my house when it was first released. I loved the simple but effective production touches that dressed up the clean guitar lines. The melodies were beautiful and catchy. There was a sparseness, a use of silence to create drama and longing that underpinned the sexually charged vocals. When I started this album I was afraid they had lost there way and honestly I think Dangerous is just a mistake despite them obviously being proud enough to start the album with it. Similarly I could dismiss the next two songs though they’re fine enough. However with A Violent Noise and the aching Performance the album takes a remarkable turn. They suddenly rediscover what makes them great. The drama, the sexiness, and the compelling interplay of loud/quiet, noise and silence return to their palette, and the rest is incredible. I had to listen to it twice just to be sure I liked it as much as I did. Their sound has grown and they have a lot of tools at their disposal. Interested to listen to the album between this and the debut and to see where they go in the future.
No. 175 I enjoyed this album. The voices and music were really nice to listen to.
Showing my ignorance having heard of the xx. Excellent album beautiful music and the interplay of the vocals is mesmerising. Again the word that comes to mind is beautiful.
Not as good as their debut, but decent: 3.5
Similar quality to XX. Still really enjoyed this album. Slow and sweet sounding. A bit tragic/sad. Really liked Dangerous and I Dare You
On initial listen, I thought this was somewhat compelling and I wanted to listen to it again, which is always a good sign.
I didn't enjoy this as much as the XX's debut, but I see you was still decent fun. I think the slightly dancier, 90s house elements didn't fit the laid back vocals brilliantly but the music as a whole was just about enough to get a four.
Interesting style change but it works beautifully
I really loved this - taking a more electronic turn seemed to have revitalised them a bit and this is way less somber than the (also very good) first and second albums
Only good thing to come out of texas
This is excellent. Instead of listening to the other album I have for the day, I listened to this three times and then let the algorithm play. It's feeding me a bunch of Frank Ocean, Massive Attack, James Blake, The Acid, and Radiohead. Overall an excellent morning, thanks to this album. It's an easy 4, maybe even 4.5 if we had half stars. I think the guy's vocals don't mesh with me as well as the woman's, but musically this is really well done.
Released on January 13, 2017, *I See You* represents The xx's first studio album in over five years and marks a significant evolution for the London trio. Following the breakthrough success of their Mercury Prize-winning debut *xx* (2009) and the more subdued *Coexist* (2012), this third album finds the band navigating new territory—both sonically and emotionally. Co-produced by Jamie xx (Jamie Smith) and Rodaidh McDonald, the record attempts to balance the group's signature minimalist aesthetic with the expansive electronic palette Jamie explored on his acclaimed 2015 solo album *In Colour*. --- ## Production & Sound The most immediately striking aspect of *I See You* is its sonic expansion. Where previous xx albums were defined by negative space and restraint, this record embraces fuller arrangements and bolder production choices. **The Jamie xx Effect** is undeniable throughout. Opening track **"Dangerous"** announces this new direction with bombastic brass and a thumping bassline that would have been unthinkable on earlier records . The production maintains the group's atmospheric core while incorporating elements from Jamie's solo work—samples, dancefloor-ready beats, and more complex arrangements. **"On Hold"** exemplifies this approach, building like a commercial dance track around a manipulated sample of Hall & Oates' *"I Can't Go for That (No Can Do)"* . The album makes strategic use of sampling that enriches its emotional landscape: - **"Say Something Loving"** incorporates Alessi Brothers' *"Do You Feel It?"* alongside an homage to Sade's *"The Sweetest Taboo"* - **"Lips"** weaves in David Lang's *"Just (After Song of Songs)"* in a call-and-response structure with the vocalists However, this sonic evolution creates tension. Several critics noted that the dance-oriented tracks sometimes feel like Jamie xx solo productions awkwardly retrofitted for The xx format . The steel drums and tropical synth textures that appear on tracks like **"Replica"** directly recall *In Colour*, occasionally making the other members sound like visitors on their own record . --- ## Lyrics & Themes *I See You* represents The xx's most personal and specific lyrical content to date, moving beyond the universal romantic abstractions of their earlier work into confessional territory. ### Personal Revelations The album's emotional core lies in its unflinching examination of individual struggle: **Oliver Sim's Addiction Narrative** unfolds across multiple tracks. **"A Violent Noise"** offers one of the darkest moments in The xx's catalog, as Oliver confronts his partying behavior as unhealthy coping: *"Now I go out / But every beat is a violent noise"* . The song captures the isolation of depression and substance abuse with startling candor. **"Replica"** extends this exploration, questioning generational patterns of destructive behavior: *"Do I chase the night or does the night chase me?"* **Romy Madley Croft's Grief** surfaces in **"Brave For You,"** her first song addressing her parents' passing. The lyrics are almost startlingly direct—*"Do the things that I'm afraid to do / I know you want me to / I will be brave"*—transforming personal loss into motivational force . **"Performance"** stands as perhaps the album's lyrical peak. Romy's solo vocal performance examines the masks we wear in relationships: *"If I scream at the top of my lungs / Will you hear what I don't say?"* The realization that *"The show is wasted on you / So I perform for me"* offers genuine emotional arc . ### Relationship Dynamics The album maintains The xx's central preoccupation with romantic connection, but with greater nuance. **"Say Something Loving"** explores anxiety within new intimacy: *"Here come my insecurities / I almost expect you to leave"* . **"Test Me,"** the closing track, addresses the strain fame and personal struggles have placed on the band members' own friendship, with Romy singing directly to Oliver: *"Just take it out on me / It's easier than saying what you mean"* . --- ## Vocal Performance The interplay between Romy and Oliver remains The xx's defining characteristic, and *I See You* showcases their growth as singers. Their voices—Romy's liquid alto and Oliver's delicate tenor—blend with greater confidence and dynamic range than on previous records . However, critical reception to the vocals was divided. While some praised their emotional delivery and smart phrasing—accentuating words like *"unfamiliar"* and *"sinking in"* to sell feelings of infatuation —others found the breathy, semi-whispered approach increasingly mannered. One critic described certain moments as "cringe-inducing," comparing the effect to "hip parents crashing their son's party" . The SNL performance of "On Hold" was particularly cited as evidence of the vocalists' awkwardness with the album's more upbeat material . --- ## Influence & Legacy *I See You* arrived at a moment when indie pop was increasingly embracing electronic production, and the album contributed to that conversation by demonstrating how atmospheric minimalism could coexist with dancefloor ambition. The record showed that "mood music" could achieve density and assertiveness without sacrificing its essential character . The album's influence lies in its attempt to bridge two worlds—The xx's intimate, headphone-oriented aesthetic with the communal experience of electronic dance music. While not entirely successful in every track, this hybrid approach opened possibilities for subsequent indie-electronic fusion. Commercially, the album performed well, with "On Hold" becoming one of the band's most recognizable singles. It demonstrated that The xx could evolve without completely abandoning their established identity, even if that evolution created internal tensions within the band dynamic. --- ## Pros & Cons ### **Pros** | Aspect | Details | |--------|---------| | **Production Evolution** | Jamie xx's expanded palette brings new energy; samples are integrated thoughtfully; tracks like "Dangerous" and "On Hold" successfully merge atmospheric and dance elements | | **Emotional Candor** | The specific personal revelations—Oliver's addiction, Romy's grief—provide weight and authenticity previous albums lacked | | **Vocal Chemistry** | Romy and Oliver's interplay remains distinctive and has grown more confident; their combined timbres create fullness neither achieves alone | | **"Performance"** | A standout track that transcends the album's limitations—genuinely moving examination of identity and masking | | **Cohesion** | Despite stylistic variety, the album maintains thematic unity around seeing and being seen, risk and vulnerability | ### **Cons** | Aspect | Details | |--------|---------| | **Tonal Inconsistency** | Dance tracks sometimes feel like Jamie xx solo productions with xx vocals grafted on; the balance between individual vision and group identity remains unresolved | | **Lyric Limitations** | Despite moments of specificity, many songs revert to familiar romantic abstractions; some lines suffer from generality or awkward phrasing | | **Vocal Constraints** | The breathy, restrained delivery that defined The xx's early work sometimes sounds mannered or emotionally flat when applied to bolder production | | **Mid-Album Sag** | Tracks like "Replica" and "I Dare You" divide critics—some find them elegantly simple, others tedious and underdeveloped | | **Risk vs. Safety** | The album's "proper xx" moments can feel too cautious compared to the experimental production, creating a sense of the band holding itself back | --- ## Final Assessment *I See You* is an album of genuine evolution hampered by internal contradictions. It succeeds when Jamie xx's production serves as foundation rather than foreground—when the electronics create space for Romy and Oliver's voices rather than competing with them. The personal revelations regarding addiction, grief, and identity represent meaningful artistic growth, even if the lyrical execution remains uneven. The album's central tension—between the group's minimalist origins and Jamie's maximalist solo work—never fully resolves. Yet this friction also produces the record's most compelling moments: the horn-driven opener, the sample-based euphoria of "On Hold," and the devastating intimacy of "Performance." For fans of The xx, *I See You* offers enough of the familiar to satisfy while demonstrating that the band need not remain frozen in 2009. For skeptics, it provides evidence both for and against the group's continued relevance—moments of genuine beauty alongside stretches of what critics variously described as "boring," "style over substance," or "cardboard" . Ultimately, *I See You* is a transitional work: not the masterpiece it occasionally promises to become, but a necessary step in The xx's ongoing negotiation between intimacy and expansion, silence and sound.
This benefits from multiple listens. It really changes and grows but I really feel it.
Pretty good.
(83/100)
Sexy, romantic, pathos; industrial’ish, electronic’ish.
3.5
I like them and I like these tracks. Its not their best but its good. Slower than I wanted or expected
Incredible
Enjoyable. I know some of their other songs better, but I still would be happy to put this on anytime.
A surprisingly good album. I'm not usually a fan of Indie Pop, but this album is really good. Sounds slightly like Radiohead in the early 2000's.
Chill electronica that didn’t get in your face. Perfect length so it wasn’t overwhelming, a little variety in feel so the music ebbed and flowed over the course of the album. No specific outstanding tracks to me but as a whole I enjoyed this. 3.5/5 this one benefits from the half-star boost
A good album overall. It’s not their best work, but I enjoyed it from front to back. The atmosphere and mood are consistent throughout, making it an easy and engaging listen even if it doesn’t quite reach the heights of their earlier material.
Don't judge an album by it's cover. I saw this and was expecting a boring slog. But it was actually kinda nice. Love the male and female vocal combination, especially when they go back and forth. Dangerous and Say Something Loving were really nice. Lips had a great beat. Perfomance was sweet and chill. On Hold was really good, nice beat and it has the good back and forth between the two singers. Overall it was pretty fun to listen to. Best song: On Hold
I’ve heard of The xx. Favorites: A Violent Noise, Replica, On Hold Thoughts: FIFA music but in a good way, pop for ravers. This electrical guitar hits me in the feels, nostalgic for a different time.
Despite being formulaic and saccharine (as the music of this genre and era tends to be), I enjoyed listening to this album. The lyrics all tie into a certain theme, and the production succeeds in giving this a chill atmosphere.
Might revisit this was fun
I enjoyed this album. The voices and music were really nice to listen to.
Good vibes. Solid production. Pleasing vocals.
sexy album but a bit more repetitive than their other one
This was a really good album! Had fun listening to it!
I liked it. It didn't hit me immediately, but it wasn't that bad. 4
I didn’t pay attention when this album came out in 2017. That was my mistake. It’s deliciously . . . languorous.
Me gusta más su anterior disco, pero este también tiene sus momentos. Me guardo «Dangerous», «Say Something Loving», «A Violent Noise» y sobre todo «On Hold» que está a otro nivel.
A beautiful album that holds true to its own sound
first listen pretty cool
Favorite Track: On Hold
I guess I like Indie Pop. Back in the day these guys would come up on my Pandora playlists and I really enjoyed them. Excellent background music to use to focus. I think I'll like their other album stuff and though I like them, I am not sure this is something you need to listen to before you die.
Great album ‘Lips’ and ‘A violent noise’ are my personal favorites.
3.75 will round up to 4, the whole album goes so well together
fun
who told the xx they could be this loud!!!! it's not as good as their debut but it's still such a good production of interesting and fantastic vocals and spooky instrumentation
This album was a fun vibe! I really enjoyed it!! The vocal harmonies were awesome and it felt fresh! Liked Songs: "Dangerous" , "Say Something Loving" , "Performance" , "Replica" , "Brave For You" , "On Hold" , "I Dare You"
Two albums by the same band in ten days? Okay then. Anyway, this is a considerably more interesting album than XX or Coexist - the soundscapes more memorable, the lyrics more evocative, and the range of influences more expansive. On Test Me, there's a sharp floaty synth that is transporting, like gliding over the cosmos; Dangerous features an infectious off-kilter jazz-house beat; A Violent Noise strikes a perfect balance between noise and silence. If The xx ever release a fourth album, I hope it leans even further into the band's maximalist impulses, because that's where they shine most.
Very solid vibes. ethereal, soothing, substantial
This indie pop album moves with quiet precision like tracing breath on cold glass with its minimalist instrumentation and whispered vocals suggesting intimacy held at arm’s length. The emotional nuance is delicately crafted, fragile and subtly affecting. At the same time it tips toward detachment. Like tracing breath on cold glass, the warmth of the mouth uttering its breath never breaking through.
I think I like self titled more. But same XX, but a little more energy, which truth be told I don’t like as much LMAO. “performance” is so good though
I have always liked this band, but I have to admit I was surprised to see how many plays some of these songs had. I think I am just old enough that I know who they are and enjoy them, but think of them more as mood music than as a cultural force. Still a lot to enjoy here and I liked listening to it.
Throwback
Dangerous and I dare you were 🫶🏻🫶🏻
4/5
Third time out and you can hear the band starting to pull in slightly different directions. The first track is almost a false start, as the overt dance beats are dialled back for the rest of the album. On Hold is a sad slow banger for the ages and like their first the second half is stronger than the first. Not surprised its been solo activity since this.
80
Jamie xx is such a great producer. While it’s technically indie, it leans heavily on electronic elements, creating a dreamy and ethereal soundscape with an almost ambient vibe. The music manages to be both experimental and accessible, while the keyboards and synths add so much texture and depth to the music, giving it layers of color and atmosphere.
Nice clean production
I do like the xx but actually hadn't listened to this album - I tapped out around Coexist (their second album). You know what you get with the xx - blissfully light vocals across minimalist electronic backdrops. It's great to chill to, but equally none of the songs really stand out.
Atmospheric
spell icup
Toppen! Nittiotal! Mjukt så det förslår! Hitten är en d u n d e r h i t
These guys are so awesome. Great supergroup. And this album is great!
Liked this album more than most
I am already a fan of this album (& by extension so is my family, especially my son), so it's no hardship to listen again. Whilst I admired them with their first album and the second was still acceptable (although more wallpaper music), this really broke free and became more expensive, possible thanks to Jamie XX success and more expensive sound. This added excitement to the XX mix paired with their intense introspection. Romy's album then went even further with club beats and euphoria, so who knows what is to come next (which may be forthcoming in 2026 as they are playing Primavera).
Eu curti demais, muito a minha vibe atual, posso mudar de opinião, mas gostei da melodia e apesar da crítica fala sobre faltar profundidade emocional nas letras, achei que acontece sim e, principalmente, na dosagem certa.
great
Beautiful. I remember when their debut was massive. I sort of liked it but I really wanted more drums. The start of this record with big club drums really excited me. That gave me enough that when the drums died out and the emo indie resumed I had a lot more patience for it. A high 4 for me, but I really struggle with the 'can barely be bothered to sing'/'to cool' indie singing style which is sort of happening here
nice, fresh way to start the week
With I See You, The xx expand their intimate, minimalist sound into something bolder and more dynamic. The album blends the group’s signature sparse vocals and moody atmospheres with brighter, more rhythmic production, showcasing Jamie xx’s influence. Standout tracks like “On Hold” highlight this evolution, balancing emotional depth with pop accessibility. While not every song hits as hard, the record feels fresh and confident, marking an exciting progression for the trio.
This one was funny to me, because I felt their self titled album was stuck on idle. And while this didn't necessarily stray from their sound, or identity, it seemed like it was curated so much better. The flow, the feel, the variety was super catchy. SAY SOMETHING LOVING, LIPS, REPLICA all had enjoyable hooks. ON HOLD especially was particular catchy!
I liked this album more than i thought that I would. I don't know much from the xx but very vibesy
Excellent album, I really enjoyed it. I have heard some of their other work and liked it too. Overall chill vibe with great vocals and subtle but good music to go along. It's the kind of album that I would listen to the whole thing in a sitting. I actually listened to this one twice because it really suits me.
I See You was a shockingly great album. This is one of the few examples where there is an ambient sounding album which still manages to have every song stick around in my head unlike so many others that leave my brain the moment they end. Of course, every song here managed to sound incredibly relaxing and dreamlike but still had enough energy to make them never feel like they are just dragging on. And unlike this band's first album, there are absolutely no hiccups at any point as the music always remained great and both Romy and Oliver's voices managed to fit the song while not sounding like they were completely bored. This one is more like "You had it all and you always did". Best Song: Dangerous Worst Song: Test Me
Wow this was surprisingly enjoyable. I've never been into indie music all that much, but this band resonated well with me. I'm gonna be exploring their discography=)
What a jewel.
This was great, I’d listen again
Fascinating, an album I like a lot, but oddly I like it more when I play the tunes back in my head, than when I listen back to them. Go figure.
"I See You" is the third studio album by English indie pop band the xx. Indie rock, dream pop, alternative dance are the Wiki-listed genres. OK. Relative to their previous two albums, this album was intended to have a more progressive, wide-ranging music concept and, in hindsight, was influenced by bandmember Jamie Smith's (Jamie xx) 2015 club-influenced album "In Colour." The xx are Romy Madley Croft (guitar, vocals, keyboards, production), Oliver Sim (bass, vocals) and Jamie Smith (production, mixing, engineering, programming, synthesizers, drums, keyboards, string arrangements, violin, piano, vocals, guitar). The album had wide-spread critical acclaim and hit #1 in the UK and #2 in the US. An overarching horn (synth) anchors the melody in the opener "Dangerous." An electronic dance beat. Sim and Romy on vocals in a song about desire: "They say you're dangerous but I don't care." A bigger sound from them. A nice vocal sample from Alessi "Do You Fell It" opens "Say Something Living." A fluttering synth in a song that builds. Sim and Romy in a song about growing older. They add a Latin flavor in the beats and melody in "Lips." Another song about desire. The album really comes alive in their two outstanding singles. "On Hold" is dreamy and uses a sped-up Hall & Oates' "I Can't Go For T (No Can Do) sample" A synth melody. Sim sings and Romy answers. He took her for granted and now she's moved on. Sim and Romy's harmonization is just excellent in "I Dare You." A handclap-type beat. A romantic song and one of their best songs. I like the xx's first album, found their second album kind of boring but this is their best album. The sound is bigger, more dance-oriented. Jamie's details in the production, beats and melodies are great. Romy and Sim nail their co-lead vocals and harmonization. It is mostly synth and electronic oriented but the songs are structured not strictly dance. I had kind of forgotten them by 2017 but this is an outstanding album. One definitely worth checking out.
Really smooth enjoyable songs, I'm usually not into electronic music but I was really grooving to this. Every song felt really good in my ears I guess is an odd way to say it.
it's really cool to see how they developed musically from their first album to here! an enjoyable listen but not a perfect 5/5 for me
4.1
I looped the xx's debut endlessly between 2009-2012 like the dutiful wannabe indie teen I was. Some decent tunes but mostly vibey "background music". THIS album - which I wasn't even aware existed! - slaps. They are best for me when then lean more chill than depressing, but I guess I will now be looping this until 2028.
Moody indie-house. I like it.
not as good as their self titled but never bad work from the xx
Ganske chill, kumme hørt på dette ellers også
Really liked this. Never heard of them but they're getting added to my playlists.
• more expansive, less subdued sound than their debut album • good throughout and ends with the best tracks
As someone who hated the xx previously, I believe them to be an acquired taste. Slow, minimalist, but such pure production. The end of this album was the highlight, like finally acclimating to a cool pool.
I really liked this. This is like if 2010s college pop went a little dark and also decided the vocals could be a little imperfect. I know this 1001 list loves imperfect vocals and usually I really dislike those entries in here, but the modern production of this one fully separates it from the muddled 80s new wave garbage I've heard doing this. I really prefer the darkwave vibe I get from this album and while none of it stands alone past the first track, it's consistently enjoyable.
A pretty good album, I liked Replica the most.
The xx’s self-titled album was my 14th album to review, and 849 albums later, I finally get to review their other album on the list. I love their aforementioned self-titled album, and I also own their second album, but somehow, I completely missed that this album existed. However, I do love Jamie xx’s In Color, which I sadly have not listened to in a hot minute. Either way, I’m very excited to listen to I See You today, and I’m hoping I’ll love it just as much as The xx’s first album. I didn’t love I See You as much as I love xx, but I still think it’s a very good album. As a whole, I See You is beautiful, hauntingly melodic, and full of excellent vocals. The xx are a band that I could enjoy listening to no matter what mood I’m in, and I See You falls squarely into that category. But from song to song, I See You feels a little uneven in terms of quality of sound. The highs on this album are incredible, but the moments in between those highs quietly fade into the background, too polished and stripped down to make any impact on me. The xx’s sound is still beautiful on this album, but some of it just leaves me wanting more. Would I still feel this way if I had never heard their self-titled album? I have no idea, and unfortunately, there’s no way to know. I thought the best songs on this album were “Say Something,” “A Violent Noise,” “On Hold,” and “I Dare You.” Each one of them really utilized the lighter sound on this album in a way that was absolutely beautiful, and they all showed how great of musicians The xx are. The rest of the album, while good, just wasn’t as noteworthy to me. Still, I See You is a solid album, and a beautiful addition to the post indie sleaze era.
really good album. I didn’t have a lot to say about it, other than I liked it.
Toppenbra och väldigt omlyssningsbart, som vanligt!
Quite melancholic, but nice if in the right mood.
Thought it'd improve on a second listen & glad I gave it one. Not quite 5 stars but a very strong 4 stars.
Good listen. I did the entirety on headphones. I’m not a superfan of the vocals, but the compositions are tight, well structured.
I think this album is really interesting and has some winners but compared to their older albums i do think this one has fewer songs that I can really really get down with you know what I mean
A more grown millennial sound. They don't own a house but it is at least a better apartment.
Another one of my favorites. Burned out my earbuds on this one in its prime. Own the lp. I love synth beats and breathy vocals and to be honest, even if there isn't a single song here with the power of Cherry Flavoured Funk, the energy here stays consistently ahead of Heaven or Las Vegas which is a plus for me.
We've done both these XX albums within a week, and I definitely prefer this one. It is a lot poppier, and less focussed on mood, and the prominence of the male vocalist lifts it higher for me.
This album always makes me feel warm inside
One of those albums where you just can't help but SMILE when you see it come up. Haven't listened to it end-to-end in years, but it's so good.
Good stuff, not their best, but still good.
I’m really fond of the XX.
4.0 3x great album and less listened to by me from XX
Alright
mielestäni tämä on aika hyvä mutta olen närkästynyt. närkästyttävä. luulee että sykähdyttävä mutta ei ole koskaan sellainen, se että laulatte retardimaisesti ei tarkoita että sydän pysähtyy hetkeksikkään figuratiivisesti... ei ole atmosfeerista vittu vittu, liikaa laulamista.. haikea instrumentaali = omg atmospheric ambient awesomesauceness.. ei. ei. omg so sad tho. niin surullista kuitenkin, vaikka, vaikkakaan, vaikk', vaikkakin... omg itken niiin perkeleeeestii täs.. perkeleesti itken vaaan omg... haista vittu. sydämeni on lempeä mutta tämä mitään saatanan tunteita tuo esiin vittu.. herkkä on sieluni mutta saatan mitään pinnalle saa uppoaa vaan kaikki.. performance
This was an interesting album for me. It gave me new age club vibes.
Like earlier one better
I started listening to this and the word "indie" materialized in my mind like a genie out of a freshly rubbed lamp. It got me thinking about the concept of an indie band and I was all... Wait, what does "indie" even mean? You know, you hear a phrase or concept and you just accept it without ever stopping to examine its origin? For example, there's this book called "the art of the deal" which is supposedly about how to run a business. So I'm all, what does art have to do with business? I have a business degree and clearly says right there on the front in calligraphy "bachelor of science" and not "bachelor of arts". Maybe that's why the author of said book is not doing a great job because he doesn't fully understand the difference. Sorry, got off track there... What were we talking about? Oh yea, so I googled "indie" in the context of bands and it stands for "independent", as in independent from the influence of record labels. Self produced, in other words. Turns out, when you try to take the business aspect out of making music you create art. This album is art.
Very good album. Everyone showed up to play and remind everyone why they are the xx. I think "Say Something Loving" is my favorite. Jamie and Romy's voices are made for each other. Their harmonies are like audio honey. Love it.
It might be that I listened to this while driving on a sunny day with a long weekend to look forward to, but I actually enjoyed this; it made for a very pleasant and relaxing drive. Other albums on the drive weren’t as enjoyable so I have to give this a 4
I liked this! Have always enjoyed The xx vibe. Simpsons: No
Maybe it deserves a 5 and it may have got it on more listens. Loved the use of male and female vocals, felt very unique.
Gutes Album, bisschen Slow manchmal
I love Jamie XX so much i dont know why i have never given the xx a shot. But I really like this album. IDK why i was sleeping on them as a band.
Great album, but a weird choice as they made 3 albums and I'd suggest this is the 3rd best. It doesn't have the same atmosphere the first 2 created.
Atmospheric, well-produced and packed with interesting moments. However it does feel a bit underwhelming and at times down right boring. As an album to have on in the background, which sadly is the context it was written for, it's perfect. I'll remove one star as a protest of the way the world is moving.
The xx are very easy listening and minimalistic. I've always liked Romy and Oliver's soothing voices. My favorite here that I didn't already know was probably Dangerous. It's a pretty high energy song for this group and I just like the groove in it. Some of the slower songs sound similar, but they're still nice to listen to (On Hold and I Dare You are very similar).
Modern alternative pop album. Catchy melodies with melancholic tone.
Great follow up less moody and more built around a loop, decent evolution of songwriting
This one’s cool, but I don’t like it as much as their first one.
I listened to this when it came out. I'd say I enjoyed it more on this listen. Their first album is still better.
I really like The xx. I’m a huge fan of their first album which is immaculate, and this is kinda the opposite in terms of sound, but it’s still a really good album.
A good indie record from the 2000s
4.5
Enjoyable
Love the second half of this album
Great band, not their best album
XX nezklamou, skvela hudba, ale teda ty jejich prvni alba jsem si uzil o trochu vic
At this time of writing, it's been eight years since the release of the xx's I See You and when that album came out, it had been eight years since their eponymous debut album came out (not withstanding Coexist). In between those times, a lot can change. Things must open up, as have they and it shows on this album. As of it time it may seem in regards to the urgency and need for inclusion amongst audiences (not that there is anything wrong for that), I See You is chock full of genuine bangers and, for close to forty minutes, that's all one needs. Favorites: Dangerous, Say Something Loving, A Violent Noise, Performance, Replica, Brave for You, I Dare You.
Great album, but just falls short of the original
Ja, top album he. En 't is nog niet eens hun beste. Geweldige stem, geweldige beats. 4.4
Enjoyable and catchy
British group the XX make atmospheric pop, with a distinct sound coming from dual lead vocalists: Romy Madley Croft and Oliver Sim. Their vocal exchange is a defining element of the moody, soulful songs they create, with extensive production from Jamie Smith, who performs as a solo electronic producer as Jamie XX. I See You includes a few of the XX's hits, like "Oh Hold" and "Dangerous," which made successful pop songs out of down-tempo dance tracks. Their ballads, like "Say Something Lovely," drift closer to an ambient electronic sound.
I'd heard of this group, but wasn't really familiar with their music before this. I like it a lot. The male and female voices sound great together, and they harmonize really well. The music tends to be a bit ambient, which makes for a pretty cool pop album 4/5
Pleasent music, doesn't stand out much to me but I enjoyed the whole listen. 7/10
Quite like a lot of his other stuff, but that's not exactly a complaint
Once again, the intimacy level of this album by XX is 11. They make me feel I've been invited to hover etherial over their bedroom as the conversations of loss and pain and love and passion are floating by me. Absolute delicious observatory of love.
Not at all pornographic and easy listening for the most part. The Hall and Oates loop is mildly annoying on the 'On Hold' track.
The xx certainly expanded their sound palate compared to their debut album. Initially I was afraid they had pivoted into house music. But by the time Performance came around, the songs felt a lot more like the sparseness of XX was back, but with slightly more forward electronic elements. Overall I like the evolution of their sound and appreciate the opening couple tracks knowing that their signature ambiance is still present.
This is an album I solidly appreciate having earbuds in for. I think it opened a range of the sounds I would not have heard if I was simply playing it through speakers. I liked the mood of this album. A sonic soundscape that was ethereal
Space and timing used to maximum effect….
Interesting to see this, in my opinion, worst The XX album on the list. Maybe we will see the other albums as well then? Regardless, it was still much better than I remember it. Obviously I have quite a sweet tooth for The XX. The opening track 'Dangerous' is a really good way to kickstart this album. Cool horn sequence that goes straight into a very cool beat, and then we the familiar XX vocals we love. Following up is 'Say Something Loving', which is also a good song, but not as groovey as the first. The mid part of the album is perhaps the weakest part of the album, but it's still quite good, and 'Replica' is an example of a really good song that sounds like something from the previous XX albums. The album finishes very strong with 'On Hold', which is perhaps the coolest song of the whole album, and then 'Dare' which is also lovely. This whole album definitely sounds different (perhaps more poppy?) than their previous albums. I remember being a bit on the fence when it came out, but hearing it again now I am not sure why I didn't like it. I also can't really come up with any reason to not give it a very high rating, it's just that good. I am obviously biased, but to me The XX is a band that has managed to be very consistent throughout all of their released material so far. And all of it is very very good in my opinion. Was debating between a 4 and a 5, but unfortunately 'A Violent Noise', 'Brave For You', and especially 'Test Me,' are not that good, which drags it down a bit. So it's going to have to be a strong 4. Time will tell if I regret it or not.
I like The XX. This album is also good.
Really enjoyed this album. Would definitely listen to again
On their third album, the London trio finally sheds the excessively hushed and incredibly influential electronica of their 2009 debut. Instead, they turn to the kind of vintage samples producer Jamie xx has long used in his solo work, setting richer, more uptempo backdrops against mournful dialogues about romantic disappointment and isolation.
Virkilega góð plata. Smooth og slakandi. Hugsaði samt þegar síðustu 3 lögin komu með smá beat hvað restin væri betri með smá stuði.
Einhver allra besta vinnutónlist sem til er. Mjög fín og þægileg plata, þó hún sé ekki alveg jafn góð og fyrsta platan þeirra.
Probably the worst XX album, but that is still decent overall. 4/5
There was a lot I liked about this one at first. I liked the horns in the first song and I liked that it was almost electronic, but still very indie and alt. It seemed like it would almost fit betters in the 90's. The other problem is it kind of drug and just went on and on. I would prefer to listen to this band with one or two songs at a time, but not the whole album. I enjoyed pretty much all of the songs but just too much of one thing.
https://open.substack.com/pub/richcain/p/project-1001-i-see-you-by-the-xx?r=4ztyq&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false A terrific album that has whetted my appetite for more. I’ll be checking out the rest of their catalogue soon.
Honestly shocked to get more than one album from the xx on this list. Then again, they are British. Anyway, this one does have my favorite track from them, "Say Something Loving." Outside of that, some other great songs too. It's a really solid album, I'm feeling generous in giving it four stars today but I really don't think we need two from them on here. Favorite tracks: Say Something Loving, I Dare You, Lips, Dangerous, Brave for You. Album art: The classic X, but it's a reflective surface and I take it that's the band members in the obscured reflection. Here I thought it was just a duo (brother and sister? not certain). 4/5
This is at the same time niche and four quadrant Chainsmokers, indie-(something) in an inoffensively cool way. It will be interesting to see how the later albums hold up, because I can't really tell when this list is okay with popular works, or for the critics. This seems like the most boring middle ground, praising the most popular album from a respected mid-tier artist, like the flipside of Youth & Young Manhood. I'm curious to see how the later additions hold up a decade or two down the line. As for the album itself, I like it more than I should. It hits in kinda the same way Chvrches does. It's either a high three or a low four.
Electropop profonde et dramatique, avec voix féminine veloutée et voix masculine posée. Certaines pièces m’ont fait penser aux pièces de Billie Eilish
Hyvä indie pop/rock levy. Kappaleet tunnelmallisia ja hiukan haikeamielisiä, ja siitähän mä tykkään. Kaikki kappaleet oli kyllä tosi jees. Parhaat: A Violent Noise, Performance, Brave For You, I Dare You
I can completely understand why people may describe this as boring, and maybe once upon a time I'd have done the same. When I was 16 and was discovering the world of heavy metal, I would have probably dismissed this as utter shit. I wanted more from my music. I wanted it to be exciting, full of huge guitar riffs and soaring vocals. I most likely would have said about this album something along the lines of: "Nothing happens. It's dull. Monotonous". But now I'm older I have to say I like this sound. It's lo-fi, but also adds something a bit more. It transports you to another world. It sounds slightly ethereal. a delicate dream like sound in places, which I enjoyed. I like both the male and female vocalists. they definitely help keep the sound that the music is pushing. At the risk of sounding cringe as I'm now 30 years old. It's vibes. It's pure vibes. Before I knew it, it was over. A short album at just under 40 minutes long, but it seemed to go by quick as a flash and didn't drag at all. A delight to listen to.
I am a fan of Jamie xx's production and this album has allot of sampling and producing in his vein which i guess is due to the success of "In Colour". It's not as great as In Colour and aren't as memorable. But it is still a great album and well produced.
I tried getting into this when it came out but it didn’t really happen; enjoyed it much more this time around. Thanks, list!
This is the first album I've heard by The xx. I was familiar with the name, as well as front man Jamie xx. But I hadn't really predicted what I've be hearing. I expected something a bit more dance pop. And The xx clearly have all of the elements of that but packaged in a surprisingly slow and sparse format that fits better in a quiet bedroom than a lively dance floor. For that reason, I didn't initially connect to 'I See You' but it really shines on repeated listens. There's something beautiful and open about the sounds. It's not only room to breath but room to reflect, which is certainly unusual in this genre. The rhythms fill the empty space and sometimes tempt you to get up and let them run through you. But it's never demanding and also lets you rest well before the point of exhaustion. The four singles are the perfectly curated high points of the album. The rest is perhaps a bit of filler but the album works as a whole very well regardless. It took a bit of listening but I'm now impressed enough to seek out more.
Really really great. Interesting, vibes, good stuff
Beautiful album. Always loved The XX and I'm glad to see them on this list
I didn’t love at first, but on my second listen I heard it through headphones and really enjoyed it. Maybe even better than their self-titled album.
Pleasantly surprised
Funny how we see almost back to back selections. Enjoyed this more than the previous one.
Their 2009 album came up only a few days ago so I was a little annoyed to see another album pop up so soon, but I liked this one a lot more! What a great listening experience.
This album started a little slow for me, but as I continued to listen I started to really enjoy it. This, again, is not an album I listened to when it came out and yesterday was the first day listening to it. I liked it. It was a good vibe, and I could see listening again.
Jamie xx is such a great producer. While it’s technically indie, it leans heavily on electronic elements, creating a dreamy and ethereal soundscape with an almost ambient vibe. The music manages to be both experimental and accessible, while the keyboards and synths add so much texture and depth to the music, giving it layers of color and atmosphere.
Would spin again
Oon aina valmis kyllästymään xx:n levyjen aikana, mutta tässä en ollenkaan kyllästynyt. Erinomaisesti sijoitetut kappaleet: hitillä kakkosbiisinä sisään, ja On hold nostaa b-puolen ennen kuin menee liian hiljaiseksi. Mietitysti nais- ja miesäänen vaihtelu. Arvostan.
Pretty nice, especially at 5:30 am
Love it! Unique vibe
4/5
Very chilled album, i liked
- Kannte das Album schon aus persönlichem Konsum und weil Lasse Say Something Loving mal in der Liste hatte mein ich. - Einfach eine tolle Platte, so stilsicher, wie man es von the xx gewohnt ist, trotzdem abwechslungsreich. Nicht ganz so catchy wie ihr legendäre self-titled - Aber auch wie beim self-titled packt es mich am Ende leider nicht zu 100%. Weiß nicht woran es liegt. ist einfach ein Gefühlsding und sehr subjektiv* 4/5
Pretty good. I remember when their first album came out, listening to it and meaning to keep up with them. I didn't so this was an interesting listen.
I hadn't listened to this one before, but am a big fan of their debut, and Jamie xx's solo work. I went into this expecting to have a grumble about them not deserving a second spot in the book, but was very wrong. Although this isn't quite the breath of fresh air that their first album was at the time, it's such a significant departure from their past albums and really shows a lot of growth. It's also a good representative snapshot of pop and electronic music in the late 2010s. I think it will age well. There are some great songs on here; Dangerous, Say Something Loving, Replica, On Hold, I Dare You. Equally danceable and intimate, with some fantastic instrumentation and sampling alike.
For as many times as I have listened to xx and Coexist, I simply cannot ever remember having listened to I See You.. Weird tinny horn fanfare to open Dangerous that quickly gives way to a very XX sounding moody exectro-pop instrumental. Swapped my earbuds for over-the-ear for this one to capture all that wonderful low-end depth. Say Something Loving is familiar. Distinctive production at work, but feels much "bigger" than their earlier songs in a similar vein. Performance is another big and beautiful one -- Romy's vocals front and center with strings screeching uncomfortably in the background. I've heard On Hold before -- probably in a commercial or something. Solid enough synth pop song. Test Me is a nice sound-system test of a closer. Jamie XX doing what Jamie XX does best. I really enjoyed this one and am left scratching my head as to why I haven't given it more play. It feels much bigger overall than xx, but does not feel diluted. I think for me, the highs are higher on xx, but ultimately this was great. Solid 4 / 5 -- closer to an 8 than a 9.
Not quite as good as their other album, but that's a high bar to surpass. Still enjoyed it a fair bit, but if I'm feeling like The xx I'm just going with xx. Low 4 for me.
The xx rules for sure now that this is the second album to come up. The mix between the light instruments, electronics, and harmonizing male and female singers is exactly up my alley of my type of music. Every song was great on here but I think Replica may have been the best with it incorporating everything up above perfectly. This will definitely be on my re-listen radar for the future. It was pretty fantastic but just like their other album it was missing a little something to get it to a 5, but it is a 4.99.
Impeccably crafted
No lo conocía. Muy interesante. Amerita una segunda escucha para definir
Grew on me
Atmospheric and cool, but none of the tracks demanded attention and hooked me. On Hold was the most interesting moment and definitely worth a listen.
Gode stemmer men allerede her er det så tydeligt hvem stjernen i the xx er
Har et meget positivt nostalgisk forhold til den her plade! De spillede på Orange Scene det år og gav en af de bedste koncerter jeg har set på Orange. Jamie xx produktion er SÅ fed
Fedt produceret, det hele lyder bare lækkert. Deres stemmer er rigtigt gode sammen.
Yndisleg plata frá upphafi til enda. Það er eitthvað svo fáránlega hlýtt og gott við sándið hjá The xx.
Cardinal Rule of Music: never listen to the xx during the day. The first album is better, but this is good. Although at points it was mostly the Jamie xx show
I thought this was good! Modern, catchy, over before I got bored of it. Good beats in the background and I liked the singer.
I’m already vaguely familiar with this record, but I confess that it’s better than I remember. Pop-leaning IDM that retains a lot of the charm of their earlier successes while not settling or sounding stale.
Very interesting, this album feels light and reflective. There is a minimal feel, which I like. It has a touch of Bon Iver's vibe. The mix of electronic and acoustic sounds is smooth, it's a quiet journey through feelings.
SCREAMING CRYING THROWING UP I luv this album so so so much, I was so cool in 2017 Would die for Jamie xx Favs: Dangerous, say something loving, lips, On hold, I dare you
Dream pop, alternative dance. Me ha gustado. Un 4.
No me ha emocionado mucho. Pero bueno.
Dangerous // Say Something Loving // A Violent Noise // Performance // On Hold //
3.5/5