I See You

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.

Decent overproduced crap. Enjoyed it once. Won’t return

Une chance… seulement 39 minutes… j’ai perdu mon temps ici. Boring shopping music or better good elevator music…

Not sure if this wants to be dance music, or synth pop, or what, but it stays pretty forgettable for me.

so, the xx have three albums, I have listened to two of them through my first 80 albums on this project. That is 66.7% of The xx's discography. I never asked for this. No Beatles yet, no Dylan, no Zeppelin, no Soul Asylum.... Album is a whatever for most of it and then track eight (On Hold) is a banger

Dos temas y skip. Quizás me perdí de una perlita pero no es lo mío

The neo-soul influences are very pleasant--but enough to make this album feel like it belongs on this list? Jury in deliberations, doesn't look good for more than 3.

This benefits from multiple listens. It really changes and grows but I really feel it.

I liked the songs — I think. The production was really lacking. I was curious to see if there was some story to how this was recorded, but I don't know that it matters. I don't think it served the material at all.

This was fine?

This album made me realize what a big number 1001 is. This was OK but inclusion in this list? Not really hearing it. Brave For You downright bugged me. Still a 2 is not fair.

esto está tan atrapado en su momento...... creo que me gustaría para sentirme en esa atmósfera de voy en coche, cualquier cosa puede pasar, el mundo es infinito en este momento de madrugada.... o para bailar en mi cuarto como una chica blanca. yo no sabía que está banda era así... interesante escucha.

Sehr, sehr gut.

Fine

kaszana, wiem jaki efekt chcialo osiagnac, ale sie nie udalo nudne jak flaki z olejem dla mnie

I think this album is just not meant for me and that’s fine. I don’t really have anything negative to say.

3 Stars. 2-3 really good, maybe even great songs and then the rest is just okay. Yet another, "how is this on the list" entry

Pretty good.

On Hold is the only thing keeping this album from being a 1. Mind numbingly boring.

(83/100)

In contrast to their debut - which I love - this album leaves me without any emotions.

Pretty good chill-vibes on a quiet morning. My daughter is trying to get me to go see them (and 200 other acts) at Lollapalooza. We’ll see.

Favorite Song: none

One of the few new albums I have purchased in the past 10 years. Have listened to multiple times and really like it - so was surprised by all the negativity in the reviews. I know all the songs sort of sound the same and like their previous albums - but i like the vibe so if it aint broke .....

I See You Compared to xx this is pretty boring. Although xx is a bit one trick, it was a very well done one trick, with a reverby, atmospheric elegance and legerdemain. That well very much feels like it has run dry here, there’s a real lack of artfulness and interest, missing the enigmatic character of xx, and it all feels pretty rote and uninspired. The only song that really stood out was I Dare You, the only song hinting at the quality of xx. A bit of a disappointment, and I don’t think I’ll revisit, so a 2 for me. ❌❌ Playlist submission: I Dare You

I found this an odd entry and one that I can't see surviving past the 2026 update. Not because it's bad by any means - but because it doesn't have the same impact of its predecessors. That being said, I like the attempt at pepping up the formula of their debut with processed beats, and synthesised horns (particularly on the opener 'Dangerous'). At times the beats can feel a bit too much like polished 2010s 'RnB', the really soulless stuff, like in 'Lips'. Other times the beats make the song such as 'On Hold'. It's an odd inclusion and an inconsistent album but, like Mary Berry's meringues, has several fine peaks.

Electronic music with no soul. A couple okay atmospheric tracks but most of this was pretty boring. The songwriting and vocals just did nothing for me.

Occasionally hard beats with the worst lyrics ever. Hate these guys

It seems that somewhere between the debut album and this album they learned that music should maybe musical elements. That being said, it still sounds like 7th grade poetry for lyrics slapped over extremely uninteresting guitars and synths. I saw another review that said they were really cooking with this. Maybe cooking boiled chicken and rice.

Idk what to say about this one it's very 2010s tbh I like it but also am cringing a little. I could've guessed it's millennial british indie pop. Like it's not bad definitely. I probably wouldn't play it around other people though. I wonder why I have to listen to it before I die. Its only 39 minutes though praise be. I think there'll be some gems. Bring back the girl I don't like the guys voice. Yeah I honestly just don't think this is all that groundbreaking. Pretty mid if I'm being honest. Yeah I'm just not that into this. It sounds like they would perform this in a seedy club while they speak into a mic too close together and the audience is vaguely uncomfortable. Ykwim. Oh I'm not hungry. Like this is kindve just annoying me at this point. Ok wait on hold is actually pretty good. I like this vibe. Ok now I like the guy better than the girl. Favourite: Say Something Loving/On Hold Least favourite: Performance

I thought Performance, Brave For You and Test Me were boring. The best song was Lips.

5 stars

i did not like how experimental it sounds, while also trying to be 'mainstream'. it did not really have a clear identity so

decent album

This album makes me feel sad about the state of 2000s indie pop. Maybe I'll give it another chance at some point.

thought i would love it. didnt really at all. a product of that saccharine avicii-adjacent 2010's moment, except im not nostalgic for it because i didnt hear any of these songs in grade school so it doesnt really do anything for me. kind of youtube rewind-coded. honestly a similar level of energy/cringe for me as your 2010's hey ho stomp claps. favorite song is On Hold

Rating: 3/10 Known mostly for the intro song on their debut album, I’m not really sure what The xx’s third output is on this list for, besides what I think is massively undeserved critical hype for the band. This is a real case of boring uninteresting textures for me here with the songwriting just not being there and I have no positive opinion on the vocals, with lyrics that amount to nothing much. It’s not the worst thing ever but really just a whole lot of boringness

AI music made for bots to enjoy. Like if you're on a rooftop bar and the sun is setting and there's a warm breeze and this is on in the background, I could see how these songs are engineered to be enjoyed in that moment, but as songs made to be listened to, the album pretty bad. Additional points off for lame ass basic themes in the few lines of lyrics that I caught 3.8/10

Really darn good!

I really enjoy this duo. I.have yet to meet an album I dislike. Very good listen.

Not bad

A lot of great music came out in 2017. Surprised to see this one here and not albums like The Ooz and Big Fish Theory. Regardless, great album. I think On Hold is a perfect song. The record drags in certain spots. It's a solid 3.5/5. Not having In Color by Jamie XX on hear is criminal. One of the greatest records of all time.

I really love Jaime xx's stuff, and I was aware of the xx during their initial couple albums and enjoyed the singles at the time. I was a little let down by I See You. it was fine, and some of the tracks I really enjoy ("Say Something Loving," "Replica," "On Hold") but most of the rest felt well-produced without being particularly memorable or demanding repeat listens. I couldn't help but feel like there are plenty of other albums from this era that could have easily taken this one's place. I'd put this at a 3.5.

Glad I gave this one a second listen. In the first listen I didn’t really like the Jamie xx production paired with the two singers. I like their first album just fine, and a lot of what I like is its simplicity. The first listen few songs just didn’t seem like the different parts of the band meshed well. Somewhere around the fourth or fifth track the production gets a lot simpler and kind of clears out for the vocals. When I put it on again, something clicked and those first few tracks sounded fine. It’s weird how music works like that sometimes. I’m not liking an album, then I hear a song and the rest clicks, or I didn’t like an artists’ latest album but then see them play the songs live and all of a sudden like the studio versions.

This sounds like some millennial virgins made some trip-hop without having any concept of sexy. It's just so... banal. Zero real emotion of any sort. The backing tracks are somewhat interesting, which saves this album from being one star.

Psicodelia doesn’t rank well on my taste. Personal opinion only. I like the band post Barrett era

I thought it started out with it's strongest track in Dangerous, which got my hopes up a too high. The rest was perfectly serviceable, unoffensive. On Hold and I Dare You were the other 2 stand out songs. I just thought it was a little boring. 3 Stars, because I can't give it a 5/10

Too much emoting.

Its nowhere near the level of their more famous album. Infact if i heard both back to back, I dont think i would know it was the same artist Its nice enough but its very lightweight, and very thin. Inoffensive but forgettable Standard 3

Zzzzzz

weird and kind of like religious sounding?

Sexy, romantic, pathos; industrial’ish, electronic’ish.

This album is some sort of abstract piece of acrylic/plastic decor, dusted in glitter, glazed in a lavender and vanilla-infused lacquer, and then shrink-wrapped. It's mall-core, reminiscent of every Banana Republic-Hollister-Anthropologie excursion you've ever been subject to.

I didn’t think I’d listened to this before but I actually had it’s just painfully forgettable. When I saw ‘On hold’ in the track listing that rang a bell and I was looking forward to getting to it but it was a dud. I thought maybe it was the Jamie XX remix of it I like but nope, that was dull too. I remembered enjoying ‘I dare you’ also but I guess I just had worse taste in 2017! Their debut is without a doubt a must listen, this one can certainly be skipped.

This whole album sounds like the royalty-free electronic music that plays over those clickbait “top 10 [fill in the blank] of all time” YouTube videos that your mom shares on facebook. That is to say, it sucks.

3.5

I like them and I like these tracks. Its not their best but its good. Slower than I wanted or expected

I didn’t mind the first track but that was about it. Very dull album overall. Definitely will not live long in the memory.

I have lost all faith in the list by this point. I’m starting to think the it’s a punishment and we’re misunderstanding the title. Only after listening to these 1001 albums may we be allowed the sweet kiss of death.

Not my usual. Listened while getting ready to go out for dinner, had a good time.

'Say something loving / I need a reminder, the feeling's escaped me'; 'Now you've set the scene / High on intimacy / Drawing me a bath.' Tho the xx's third release is not especially interesting or memorable, it's better than the debut b/c it's less sleepy, less dreamy, more embodied, more about bodies & love & the necessities of intimacy, no matter how potentially dangerous or violent. 'Every beat is a violent noise.' Romy & Oliver have some soul to express on this one - it at least feels as if it comes from something real - & I find my ears perking up to hear what's next. It's no soulful masterwork, & at less than forty mins, it yet drags & variegates little, but for what it is, I do not disapprove. 'I will be brave / I know you want me to.' Sure, why not?

More dynamic and poppy than there self titled album, which is good. A chill indie pop album that veers heavy into pop a little

olvidable

Another surprising inclusion on the 1001 list. There are some really good tracks and some really forgettable ones all sandwiched together. It’s at its best when it moves in new directions like incorporating EDM elements.

Incredible

Much different from other tracks I’ve heard by them. Did not enjoy one bit.

An album so vapid, I don't remember listening to it. At least it wasn't offensive.

I liked the sound overall; one or two songs stood out to me.

Electronic glory!

Good news is they have a really cool song where no one sings, bad news is that it is not on this album.

Vocally good, just found it a little boring, not something I will be in a rush back to

Vrolijk, dansbaar, soms wat melancholisch. Originele kijk op elektronische pop, de individuele inbreng van de leden brengt ze verder.

This is both less stark and more varied than the xx's debut. Somehow, it's also duller. While the melodies on their debut were simple, they were also crisp and very engaging. Here the melodies are less intriguing and buried under a lot of added synths. The additions are often flat and rarely very detailed, so they don't really enhance the songs and instead just make them more anonymous. Many of the songs here would slot in perfectly on the local "alt" radio station that plays Hozier and Mumford. The added elements also make the subdued vocals fit in less. "On Hold" stands out as being the most engaging song, but it's balanced out by the absolute slog of "Performance." This probably isn't bad enough to deserve a 1, but the way it tries to expand their sound while making something much less unique than their early stuff pushes it down.

weird mix between house and pop and indie. fucked w it heavy tho

Seems ex(x)cessive to have two albums by The xx on this list.

Not bad but not for me

Enjoyable. I know some of their other songs better, but I still would be happy to put this on anytime.

Nice songs but to much the same tone

Some interesting arrangements and use of instruments. But i don’t like how the vocals sit in the mix — they are highlighted and centered so much that the overearnest lyrics become way too overearnest. I want to like this because it is an interesting blend of musical streams (electronic, dance, emo) that are usually less interesting to me— but in the end i don’t. A 2.

its a vibe, some songs are a bit boring tho.

I feel a bit conflicted on this album. On one hand, I thought it was beautiful. This was vocally so much stronger than the other xx album I got on this generator. On the other hand, it lacks any excitement. It stays at that soft, melodic state throughout with little to no variety. That made it, perhaps, a little boring at times. However, I like that this album actually committed to that sound. I gave the self-titled album a lot of grief for being a bit lifeless and inconsistent with its sound. This was the opposite. It was a pleasant, pretty album that I think I might be open to re-listening to at some point.

A more upbeat and full sound than their start, but still a solid jam! Love the more diverse scope of sounds.

It's not the worst thing ever... just a bit bland and uninspired. 2.5

Say Something Loving On Hold I Dare You

Not for me

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

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.

When I think of The xx, I think of "Intro." It's a great track from an album that is otherwise just kind of... fine. I thought this album was an improvement overall over the group's debut album, but I wasn't really impressed by it the way I was when I first heard "Intro." Favorite track: "On Hold"

A male female duo delivers pop lyrics back by a synth beat. Sounds cooler than it was. Needed more 80’s synth new wavey…could have worked.

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

3+

Favorite songs: Replica, I Dare You

Is it just me, or do many of these albums sound completely generic? I don’t know if double X or the initiators of the sound of this album, but it sounds like thousands of other bands. All of which I find boring.

Genuinely awful.

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.

This, unfortunately for me, sounds like something that came out of an algorithim. I get the bands need to expand / grow with their sound but there was something very pure about the debut. This just sounds like some indie chill wave spotify whatever. No bad playing, no bad production, but very bland / uninspired sounding.

An ok album that I didn’t NOT enjoy. But I don’t think I’d be in any rush to listen again or to more xx stuff. Just ok.

No idea who this is. Nice groove to start. This is a good pop album. Nothing I will seek out. I don’t hate it though.

Very bland and very corporate music

oloko de 2017 :0 FAVS (top 3): dangerous, a violent noise, on hold mençoes honrosas: performance, i dare you assim, o album n é mt grande e a track 1 deu MUITA expectativa do q seria o album mas ele é bem chillzinho, só a track 1 e talvez outra ai saindo da chill, acho q como é um album de 2017 podia ter dado espaço pra outros albuns pq nsei se merece o titulo de ser ouvido antes de morrer mas OKAAAYYY nota final: 2.5/5

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

High 4, love the album, I'm not sold on the last track as a closer

Pop was truly running on empty in 2017. Worst possible combination of whiny indie, soulless electronic production, and vapid RnB pop vocalizing. Retail music for a run down shopping mall barely clinging on.

I may have liked one xx song briefly but for some reason I’ve just never liked them and didn’t understand the clamour for them so I wasn’t best pleased when presented with this today. I’m more familiar with their debut, although I’m not sure if I ever listened to the album, but I remember the singles. They ought to be an artist I like given the genre and their influences, however, they just seem like some vapid representation of music I like. I was half expecting to begrudgingly like this, not knowing anything from it at all, but that feeling quickly evaporated. Every single song was downbeat and dull and I’m baffled by its inclusion on this list, and indeed that The xx have 2 albums on the list!

Sounds like a hogh school project. Horrible for me

intro ruled my life as a #tumblrgirl but this was just ok. i dare you was the best one

These songs were just in one ear and out the other. I was surprised to see how popular these were on Spotify, maybe I'm just not in touch with modern music... but the last "The xx" album stunk, so it makes sense they continue to stink.

Missed the boat on this

It's not exactly bad, just boring. It's not background music either unless you are trying to go to sleep. 2.5

Some songs sound vaguely familiar. Nice to listen to.

yawn

Pretty standard pop album. On Hold is a decent song.

Not too bad but the first album was better

Nothing album that feels more like half-finished ideas rather than stripped down indie-pop. Dull. I don't hate it, I just...don't really have any opinions about it at all.

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.

Inoffensive pop. Nothing too interesting, but I’m an idiot so maybe I missed it

This was fine, but not an album I'm going to seek out again or recommend to others.

Grabación del siglo XXI y poco más. Agradable pero totalmente prescindible.

Warm and mellow indie. Nothing special, but I liked it.

I gotta say, this was very very well made for what it is. The production is super clean, with some pretty rich and full instrumentals. Doesn’t push any boundaries, but does a great job of being what it is.

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.

Another terrible addition to the list. Not horrible music but certainly not super engaging or groundbreaking or interesting in any way. Boring.

6.5 / 10

Might revisit this was fun

Very VERY of its time. Reminds me a bit of The Chainsmokers, a little more mellow. Maybe that's just because of the alternating male/female vocals. I agree with a lot of other people; its not bad but kind of boring.

Kind of bland indie/pop. A Violent Noise stood out. 3/5

Joo ei tällanen konemusa/alternative oikein kiinnosta

I don't remember much about the first xx album I got on this list, but I don't recall it being quite as dull as this one. This felt and sounded uninspired, with equally bland vocals. There's just not much soul here. There's nothing remotely "dream pop" about this.

Once you've heard the debut album, which I really liked, that's all you need with the XX. Just more of the same with 'I See You'.

I enjoyed this album. The voices and music were really nice to listen to.

What? Why? I don't mind a challenging listen, but this album is so lacking in anything to hang your hat on. Meh and meh. There were hit singles off this? Oh yeah, I kind of recognise On Hold. I don't like it. I'm very tempted not to finish this album, which means it has to be a 1. Number of tracks: 10 Fave track: Errr... Least unfavourite track =

I was excited to listen to this album but I am now disappointed but also I don’t think I ever knew what kind of artists The xx are. I guess I kind of understand why people would like them but I really don’t like her voice and I can’t get past it.

Good vibes. Solid production. Pleasing vocals.

I like The xx, but always found this album a bit forgettable - the heavier sample sound not quite working for me, the songwriting a bit lacking. Listenable enough, with some moments I liked, but it shouldn't be on this list. Inessential.

sexy album but a bit more repetitive than their other one

it’s just not for me.

This was a really good album! Had fun listening to it!

Mind-numbingly boring

6/10 Favourite: Replica Least Favourite: Brave For You

Idk why they picked this one over their debut album. Still didn’t age well, but better than this shit

Fine as background music in a coffeeshop.

Ugh. This album was so boring and repetitive. I was hoping that the lyrics would be a saving grace, but they were not. The xx have lovely voices but simply nothing to say. Because I told myself I’d pick a favorite from every album, my favorite is on hold because it sounds a little different from the rest and because unfortunately I resonated with the lyrics

quite dull compared to the earlier albums

I liked it. It didn't hit me immediately, but it wasn't that bad. 4

I mean there’s nothing unpleasant here, but also nothing interesting

what a dull album. it's not bad in terms of quality, but my god is it boring. ethereal and ambient in a not pleasant way. the vocals have that 2010s indie sheen that make them sound too polished in an unpleasant way. pass.

Not sure why this album is on the list. Below mid, especially compared to the other XX albums.

This really did very little for me. I have two tracks which I semi liked and they were the opener Dangerous, and Replica. Other than that this style of music just doesn’t seem to be for me. The subtle and beats and baselines are fine, but the vocals to me just felt so bland and generic that it was hard to stay attached to each song. The singing really did absolutely nothing for me, and I was kinda counting the tracks until the end. Yeah just kinda boring.

This is not what I would thought it would be at all and I was pleasantly surprised! I want to listen to this one again but I’m surprised none of their songs became more mainstream.

I didn’t pay attention when this album came out in 2017. That was my mistake. It’s deliciously . . . languorous.

1st track is poppy and catchy. A real toe tapper. kind of downhill from there.

Coldplay left me well, cold

I much preferred their debut album; this got rid of everything that made them interesting to me and left a very average album

This had more groove to it, so I enjoyed it more than their debut album. Ultimately you'll never get me to really like an album where the songs are mostly about love and feelings, but I'm happy that they found the percussion tracks this time around.

Better than the debut at least!

chato, entediante e previsível

There's a bit of a nostalgia factor for this one to me, while I never listened to this album in particular, I smoked a lot of weed the year this came out and this album, or every other album just like this at the time, was an absolute staple of any session playlist. I wouldn't say that it's particularly ground breaking, but it is a pretty good representation for the time. Feels like everything coming out from like 2015-2019 was just low energy. This is the same time mumble rap was really big - I guess this is the peak of minimalism. Not sorry to see those times go to be honest.

Pretty good I like the woman's voice. 3.5

I like XX a lot more than this album, I find the lyrics very 2010s coded (derogatory).

I mean it started good but got relatively one note. Just a bit bored by the end. But I gotta listen to more XX songs cause there were some bangers

not as good as the original

the reviews on this had me laughing. It's not completely dull but it's not music that I'm itching for more of. I feel like I hear this when I walk by a car full of teenagers. Indie pop, edm?

Total waste of space. In Colour is a great album and should've been on here instead

I did not need to hear this album before I die

I gave the last xx album a three, which looking back was perhaps generous. I found this to be inoffensively bland.

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.

Okay, but not a standout

the indie darling Monarchs of Monochrome and Mid inject their material with new attempts at actual color and light. the results are probably labeled cleanly by some people as either Artistic Expansion or Selling Out but perhaps its both and neither. its totally fine in either case, definitely some good production and arrangement ideas (with synths, samples, and a variety of instruments) that would probably hit me as especially vivid if i was more bought into the band's music language as a whole but i was never rly into them sadly. nothing against it though...besides just being a random-ass pick for the list itself

A beautiful album that holds true to its own sound

The album sucked. End of story. This bowl of shit has no direction, no melody. Boring ass hell. Nobody needs to hear this trash before they die. The only thing that saved this from the fucking Gong was the gal singing has a beautiful voice. She needs to find a songwriter that actually has talent before she throws any smoother off a career away.

Borophyll

I am feeling unusually harsh toward this album, less for the content and more for its placement on the list. While I do find most of the tracks to be standard, samey, and at times boring, I don't think they're bad. More importantly, the album as a whole does not seem "important", "influential", or "best" in class to me. The band's debut (xx) from 2009 has a better case, doing many of the same things as I See You, only 8 years earlier and - in my opinion - much better. So I don't see how this record from 2017, that treads no new ground even when compared to The xx's own body of work, earns its spot here. In conclusion, Gaga was left off for this???

No strong feelings, nice background music for my commute.

The xx's music is so pretty and mellow; it's easy to love, hard to hate. There is very little here that could possibly be offensive, which usually annoys me. I'm familiar with all three of their major releases, but I've always felt they hit their high point with their debut self-titled album, and that their music has continued with the same cool vibe but hasn't offered much in the way of new ideas. Just yesterday afternoon, I was playing I See You in the car with my son, and I said I loved their music but that the songs seemed a little samey to me. As is often the case with me during this project, a dedicated, dark room listen to this album on headphones changed my perspective. The songs are very tender, very subtle, and I had to really pay attention to them to realize what The xx are doing and why they do it so well. Usually, I expect music that relies heavily on electronic sounds to be compressed with less separation between instruments. I want the sounds to be clear, but it's normal for them to be kind of smashed together in the mix, which can make them cacophonous for better or worse. Mezzanine, by Massive Attack, for example, is a masterpiece, but unlike I See You, it creates intensity through the overwhelming power of sound. I See You is much more delicate and minimalist. This album is a masterclass in the use of negative space in music. The songs use silence and separation to create atmosphere. Sounds are more like individual instruments on a soundstage rather than tracks spread across a computer screen. To me, this creates an auditory allusion of different instruments playing together rather than sounds being assembled. Many of the five-star albums I've rated in this project get their ratings through power, through overwhelming artistic triumph. This album earns its full marks for being perfect for what it is: sappy and sweet and sincere and beautiful. In "I Dare You," Romy Madley Croft outlines the entire band's musical philosophy when she sings, "I've been a romantic for so long / All I've ever had are love songs." I suspect that this will be a record that is lost and rediscovered many times over the years. Like other understated masterpieces, Nick Drake's Pink Moon, for example, I See You will have lasting power, not because of an unignorable artistic statement, but because many of us have a romantic streak that records like this appeal to. Five stars.

Fine background music.

first listen pretty cool

This is some very forgettable pop music. It’s perfectly inoffensive, I don’t mind giving it a middle of the road score, but I certainly could have lived without hearing it.

Tut nicht weh. Reißt mich aber auch nicht vom Hocker. Hintergrundmusik.

Well, you can't believe Wikipedia. They describe this lot as a "Rock Band" they aren't. Not sure what they are but I never want to hear them again.

It’s hard for me to believe that someone listened to this album and was like “people need to hear this before they die”

Favorite Track: On Hold

Some nice dreamy pop songs. Nothing overly extravagant. It’s well produced and a pretty easy listen, but I don’t find it very striking or mind blowing.

A rather underwhelming album. There’s nothing outright bad about it, in fact, I quite enjoyed Romy Madley Croft’s vocals. Unfortunately, the songs themselves just lack spark and fail to hold my interest.

melhor surpresa <3

This is the second album by The xx that they’ve suggested to me. Very atmospheric and all vibe. The vocals are well done, but I find them a bit too soft and breathy. The beats are solid and very close to some of my favorite dance hits from the 90s, though it’s missing some of the energy and bombast. And with all of that, I find I just don’t care. Their music has a definite setting. It’s just not one that I connect to. I’ll say they are competent and talented, just not my thing.

Music was both pleasant and depressing. I feel like you gotta be in a pretty moody mood to enjoy this. But it also works just fine as music to listen to while working. On Hold was my favorite.

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.

Va chier.

Genre de monde qui t'invitent chez eux et une fois rendu y proposent de faire de la thérapie de groupe pour passer la soirée.

Great album ‘Lips’ and ‘A violent noise’ are my personal favorites.

I wanted to like this but it got slow and boring!

Coworker music final boss

Not for me

That was all right. My girlfriend was more excited about it than I was.

an album i listened to a lot when it came out because my sister bought it on itunes, so some nostalgia for this one. I’ve never thought it was mindblowing, but some nice tracks on here.

wow a 2017 album i’m shook -the sound is VERY 2017 immediately i feel like im in high school -say something loving is pretty good WAIT LOWKEY BYLER CODED OMG -i like a violent noise also lowkey byler if you read the lyrics -brave for you is lowkey mike coded but like someone saying it to him get it -ON HOLD BYLER ANGST OMGGGGGGGGGG "my young heart chose to believe we were destined young hearts all need love call it a lesson" LIKE COME ON -i date you is lowkey will coded and that’s tragic

A second album from the xx? The first one mostly sucked, but it at least brought a minimalist mood that made it interesting. This one layers on a bit more sonic texture, to mostly ill effect. This is emotionless, Apple Store inspired homogenized adult contemporary indie with no heart or soul, and only a few songs that make it worth listening to ("Say Something Loving", "On Hold").

I love Jamie xx's production, but the vocals don't offer much in terms of improvement. It seems like a disservice to his music to add these middling vocals to it.

Very cold and reverb-heavy, minimalist indie pop. Each song sounds like it might build up to something but it never does. Very flat and boring. Marginally better than their first album but still not for me.

This may be the most boring album I’ve ever heard. It sounds like the score of a second-rate Netflix romantic drama aimed at twenty-somethings.

Good album and I’m in no way sad I listened but not sure about it being a must listen to.

If I could give this negative stars I would

3.75 will round up to 4, the whole album goes so well together

I believe this is the most recent album/band I’ve gotten by far. Sure, I got one from 2016, but that was Leonard Cohen, and he’d had a decades-long career beforehand. This band had their debut 2009, and this album came out 2017. I’ve honestly never heard of them before. I don’t follow much modern alternative because, honestly, I’ve found that the majority of it is really bland. The opening is pretty good. Odd production at the opening but my dislike could be a stylistic preference. When the beat starts, it’s quite good—reminds me of Portishead, but with less depth. Say Something Loving is pretty boring. The dual vocals are somewhat interesting, but, like…they get pretty old. The production is beginning to become grating. Same with Lips. It’s not that bad, but there’s just no soul. The production is way too much. It’s a minimalist style but somehow still manages to incorporate unnecessary elements. It feels like it’s trying to be transcendent, but it just falls flat. A Violent Noise is particularly flat, with an awful use of dual vocals. Dual vocals—especially with using both male and female vocals—can be done well, but this isn’t it. Something like Mary Christ or Death Valley ‘69 by Sonic Youth would be an example of a good use of this—or really anything by Sonic Youth. Or even looking towards features, with something like Don’t Hurt Yourself by Beyoncé, which features Jack White. They’re extremely different artists, but Jack White is brought on because his raw energy matches the raw energy of the track. Beyoncé sings in a way that matches his vocals as well, so it feels natural. Jack White’s vocals act as a break in the song to add some dynamics. With this album, however, it just feels as if they’re throwing it in just for the sake of it instead of using it to create more dynamic songs. Then there’s Performance, which has so many ambitions but falls on its face. The vocals are gorgeous, but sadly the production ruins it. This would be a good acoustic track, or a good track to really strip back on until the final build. But instead it feels like they just threw stuff in because why not? Replica is the first song that’s actually pretty good. The production is mature and the lyrics aren’t bad. It’s still very much elevator music, though. Brave For You is nothing music. It’s something that plays in the background of those inspirational videos they show at school assemblies and corporate meetings. There is a cool bass part, but that’s the only interesting thing. On Hold somehow manages to be worse. Then the final two tracks, I Dare You and Test Me, just kinda are the same as the rest. Going into this, my rating system meant that anything that wasn’t entirely unlistenable was at least two stars. But this has really convinced me to apply my “boring/soulless is worse than bad” ideology to my rating system. And that’s difficult. Who’s to say there’s no emotion here? I don’t know what these guys are thinking. I don’t know their emotions or motivations. But what art really does is convey emotions. It is meant as an outlet for expression. At least an awful poem by a middle schooler filled with cliche angst is genuinely from the heart and truly conveys what they are going through, allowing you to empathize. I have gained no empathy from this album. It does not let me connect with another living soul. It just sort of exists. So, even though I’m sure there’s emotion behind it, very little is expressed through the actual art. I’m sure some people will connect to what is there, but I’m not one of them. Similarly, there’s nothing new here. Most bad art at least have quirks that make it unique, but I hear ten songs exactly like the ones on this album on Alt Nation every time I go to the grocery store. There’s talent here. I try not to hate art (I mean, I haven’t given anything under a three) as long as it’s not a money grab or something that came from a place of bigotry/an embrace of clear immorality, so me giving this one star isn’t me hating anything—it’s me wishing those inclined towards creating art would stop being so safe with their creations. It really didn’t convince me that modern alternative isn’t boring. And I don’t mean that to say ALL bands/artists, of course—but a good majority. Honestly, I blame algorithms. Recap: Favorite song: Replica Least favorite songs: Lips, Performance, Brave For You, On Hold Comparisons: Dummy, Currents Rating: 1/5

61.91

An enjoyable album. Brave For You is a great song.

This was disappointingly boring

I love the xx! It's always such a groove. I prefer the debut album over this. Also, the arrangements are excellent but I don't love either of the singers voices. They sound like they are trying very hard to sing.

Ei oikein iske musiikkityylinä. Tunnelma ihan ok. 2/5.

Solid pop and compared to the previous albums I had the past few days, it wasn't too grating on the ears. Mostly relaxing vibes.

The interplay between the voices combined with airy guitar lines form the backbone of some very radio-friendly, pretty, indie pop. I'm missing a crescendo or catharsis from these songs but maybe I'm being overly critical here.

Like their earlier LPs. This one bores

For me The XX are a good example of a band capturing something really special with their debut and never quite getting there again. That first album was so singular and intimate, but the band has never really been able to better it. Each new album has added more, but it's always been a little diminished as a result.

Never heard of them or this album or a single song on it but other people have, it's got giant listener counts with none of the 10 songs under 20M listens. "On Hold" (stole Hall & Oates hook) and "I Dare You" have 175M and 112M, respectively, that's. This must be for the club people, I was cringing trying to get through the opener, "Dangerous" (54M). The slower jams like "Say Something Loving" (74M), "Lips"(43M) and "A Violent Noise" (35M) & "Brave For You" (20M) are god awful. It's just a BORING album, that's how I'd sum it up. I'd rather listen to nothing. I was unable to make it through a full song, it's just so not my thing. His voice blows, no way around it, and she's all breathy, it's like a bad soundtrack. It's amateurish. Even the production sucks. This is another British whiff, guess you gotta live on the island to appreciate some of this stuff. WTF, this list has some real turdburgers on it, I feel like I should get a monetary reward for finishing all 1001. 1 star, it's that freakin' bad. There are so many bands out there if you want good moody music that doesn't suck, try Still Corners, The Cure or Phantogram or anything other than xx.

fun

lo riascolterei solo per poi non ascoltarlo davvero. troppo pop, noioso

ZZzzzz...2 estrelas

I really kept wanting this to resolve into other, similar music that I *like*. But it never really did, just continued to be off to the side from where my taste lies.

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

eh, whatever. unsure if i don't think this is as good as their other album on this list, or if i'm just not nostalgic about this one. 1.5

Not really a fan of the xx doing vocals

Textbook definition of "fine", don't mind it but would probably never put it in myself

Sincero non pensavo fosse una band così recente Non mi è piaciuto

Такая музыка обычно нравится девушкам, я не девушка, но и мне нравится. Помню как альбом только вышел, уже давным-давно.

Not engaging in the slightest. Boring, insipid and very proud of itself (without justification), I drifted off several times while listening to this. Although it is not actively bad, this is one of the most blah records on the list so far.

porra muito ruim filho caralho

eh, medíocre. não foi inescutável, mas foi chato, viu. dancei de leve umas 2 vezes só e eh isso.

Unpopular opinion (apparently): This is NOT boring. 3.5⭐

It's ok, I guess.

Prvi mi je najbolji ali mi je i ovo simpa

Meh it’s very ok

I would never willingly listen to this

this might be the blandest album ive ever heard my mom would love it

Boring music for people who love to complain

Used to listen to this years back. Great memories

Utterly baffling how these guys got on the list once, yet here they are again, duller and more sterile sounding than the last time around.

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"

Not bad, but some of the songs felt a little empty. 3

Do you remember that old comedy sketch about going for an English, where a group of Indians go to a restaurant and challenge themselves to order the blandest thing on the menu? Well, this album is the audio equivalent. It’s aggressively middle of the road and unchallenging. Don’t get me wrong, it’s perfectly acceptable to listen to, just not very exciting. Apparently they came second in the Brit awards to Mumford & Sons, which tells you everything you need to know about where they stand in the pop firmament. On the positive side, I did enjoy the lead vocals from Romy Madley-Croft who reminded me of Sophie Ellis-Bextor. There must be something about singers with double barrelled names that appeals to me.

I really enjoyed that. It was melodic and catchy. It had a darker tone that you could feel the emotion even in poppier songs.

Not bad

Very basic super-compressed over-emotional late 10s pop. Also, the contemporary Christian music melody choices are so aggravating. 1.0/5.0: Embarrassing

if you asked me for an example of my least favorite genre id give you whatever this is

An average album from an average band

Ok band.

An album that passes you by and reminds me a lot of Houmous & Chutneys 38th studio album ‘Pay Attention (or you’ll regret it)!’ 2.0 9/10 I Dare You

Completely ok

First 6 tracks may as well be the same dull, uninteresting song, seemingly lacking most semblance of melody or musical direction. “Brave for You,” “On Hold,” and “I Dare You” are the only songs I’d want to hear again. “Test Me” acts profound but is realistically 1 minute of an actual song and 3 minutes of nothingness.

OK I listened to the wrong The xx album since they all kind of have the same cover. I liked the one I listened to first (2009's xx) a lot and give it 5 stars. This is less for adding more to the deal. The former makes the scene and doesn't exist at all. This: meh pop music.

Things get off to a good start with the leadoff track, with its trip-hop breakbeat and clarion call (synth?) brass refrain, but I kind of lost interest after that. The electronic production techniques are interesting, but the breathy-dreamy vocals lend the album a poppy, easy listening feel that just doesn’t speak to me.

Not sure what sets this album apart, particularly compared to their previous works.

Yet another "guess you have to have lived in the UK when this was a big deal to appreciate" album. It's fine. Didn't move me much and the singles that was obviously the single with the Hall and oats sample felt like a calculated lab-generated hit.

8 years after their debut it's nice to see the band still making boring crap

i dont like ts

Nice chill music

Decent but quite generic modern pop music with some good performances.

They both have terrible voices - dull

it was dull from beginning to end, vocal was suitable only for John Lewis christmas ad is was that bad

Musically is fine, but a bit boring. Definitely not one for the car. The voice is meh. I'd really have to be in the right mood for this sort of thing, and today isn't it.

Electronic pop from the 2010s Favorite track: on hold other picks: say something, a violent noise, i dare you

Quite a bit to slow and soft for me, it just doesn't have anything that I want to listen to.

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.

This felt very ambient and unremarkable. It’s the kind of music that blends into the background. Vocally unremarkable.

Very solid vibes. ethereal, soothing, substantial

It’s fine, but not my xx.

The first xx record being on this list makes sense. This one? Not so much. I know it's one of the band member's solo album, but I think Jamie xx's In Colour was much more deserving if you had to pick another record by them.

granny always said a shitty xx album is better than the best beck album

Forgettable.

why? WHY?

Not good or interesting at all. the type of so calledindie roxk i despise

Horrendous. How is this even on this list? Do better.

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 liked it. The duo created a well-crafted and genuinely high-quality record. The sound is balanced all the way through, and there is a calm confidence in how the music unfolds. At the same time, it felt a bit held back, as if they settled into a safe space instead of reaching for the full potential you can sense underneath. Still a good listen, just not as bold as it could have been.

For me, the first album by the xx is a masterpiece but I don't know what's going on here.

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

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!

The XX er fint, men har svært ved at svinge sig op på mere. Deres force er for mig klart vokalen. Både Olivers og Romys vokal både fænger og drager. Musikken er mere bare noget der ligger der i baggrunden.

Enjoyed this less than ‘xx’, found it a little boring and nothingy rather than intriguing.

Nothing notable about this album, not sure why it's on this list.

This sucks ….

It was meh for me. Jamie xx in colour - amazing. This was bland and the female vocal annoys me.

This record is making me question the 5 star rating scale I've been using. This isn't terrible but I don't see how it's noteworthy. I don't know how but 3 feels simultaneously too high and just right, I dunno. Like, why do I need to hear this before I die? Is it impactful? Unique? I'm leaning toward neither. Honestly this entry is again making me question the recency bias on the later additions to the list. Of the records that came out in 2018 that had were better... Sleep, Mark Lanegan, Shame, Cat Power, Kurt Vile, David Nance... Etc etc. I think there should be a 5 year grace period before something enters the list.

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.

Incredible discovery!

2.5

Throwback

Decent. Production value much enhanced when compared to their (Amazing) debut album, but some of the charm and novelty of their barebones production style is lost.

Dangerous and I dare you were 🫶🏻🫶🏻

4/5

Way too safe and boring. The first track and On Hold are decent. Little to no variety in the songwriting. Can’t decide if it wants to just be a mellow, chill album or try to say something interesting. The songs feel like they’re trying to be compelling but are flat as day old soda left at room temperature. Even with a couple of songs being OK this was a very long 39 minute record to get through. That plus the blandness of it all makes this closer to a 1 for me.

They lost it. Starts middling, down from there.

Biden would have won in 2024 if BBB stood for “Bring Back Baria” This is music for people who mistake their arrogance for autism.

Album #959 First time hearing of The xx. The male and female voices sounded good together, but there wasn't a lot to get excited about. I liked that it was clean. Favorite track: I Dare You

4/10

All bangers

More interesting than their debut, starts better than it finishes

It was just OK

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.

This was not for me.

No