The XX
Thu 27 Aug 2009
The XX- XX
8/10
Minimalist guitar parts, earthly rhythmic beats and sterile vocals all create a unfamiliar mix of Tricky-style trip-hop, The Cure’s Gothic post-punk and The Chills’ indie fantasy pop. The Manchester group has burst the British indie bubble, refusing to be held hostage to the stadium chant and has served a well-timed fusion of musical genres that help reignite interest in British underground indie music. Clearly influenced by Bristol’s dark suicidal trip-hop, The XX centre their sound around the bedded sexual tones, but instead use perfectly timed guitar notes to elevate their music and pressure themselves to enter a new era, post-’90s Bristol and infused with elements of jazz and indie pop. At times dense and rooted with an inorganic drone (‘Fantasy’), The XX skip along a tight-rope, avoiding confrontation and building on a relationship that will kindly lend its ear during times of desperation. With moments of sadness (‘Heart Skipped A Beat’, ‘Infinity’) interspersed with moments of hope (‘Crystalised’, ‘Basic Space’), XX revels in the emotional environment of wasted youth and desperate times, offering a sympathetic voice to help make sense of change.
Nick
Posted by Nick Fulton under Album, Reviews
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