Number 4
'Xx' by The Xx
Trotter’s Top Ten position : 2 in 2009
UK Chart high : 3 in 2009
Sometimes less is more and sometimes even less is even more. Sneaking in at the end of the decade The Xx's debut had plenty of people talking in 2009 and then even more people talking this year. Such media saturation as this record has been getting over the last 18 months pretty much polarises people, giving people plenty of time to discover and 'get it' and also plenty to get sick to death of it. Thankfully, I'd plop meself in the former category and while it's possible the number four ranking might partially be down to its (relatively) recent release its also fair to say I'm still playing it as much now as when I ranked it at two for the year that was 2009. So for those of you who've been down a Chilean mineshaft for the past 18 months, what's all the fuss about? 'Xx' is definitely its own thing, perhaps wearing influences on its sleeve (Mazzy Star, Massive Attack, Portishead) but creating something very different and surprisingly unique in these 'everything's been done before and then covered by Westlife' times. Minimalism is the name of the game here - moody basslines, electronic codas, whispered, breathy, empassioned vocals (both male and female) and blissful guitars all combine to create a late-night, chilled atmosphere that is both dark and seductive at the same time. Not enough praise is given to both Romy and Oliver's vocals though, Romy like the moodier sis of Tracey Thorn and Oliver as the well-behaved little bro of Jamie T. The alternating of vocal duties also has the benefit of keeping the record from getting too samey given its parse production as is seen to best effect on 'Crystalised' where both combine to sing diferent verses on top of one another. There're also some very brave choices here, not least the frst track on the album being an instrumental which sounds like the lost soundtrack to some cold-war era spy film - all glacial percussion and building tension. In fact that's one of the greatest strengths of the album - that it allows you to wander and imagine settings for the sounds you're hearing, not bombarding you with everything all at once in an effort to keep you entertained and engaged. The music also lends itself to some great visuals, the best of which is on display in their hypnotic video for 'Islands' and on the swiftly-iconic album cover. Inevitably questions are starting to be asked about whether The Xx can follow this perfect debut up, whether we'll just get more of the same and that the well's now bone dry. For me, I think there's enough talent on display here and potential scope for further explorations (if not new directions) not to worry an awful lot about their future. The ease of which they adapted this rather intimate sound to stadia and festivals seems to support that too. In brief then, if you're looking for the ideal late-night debut album then, look no further...you did lock that door though didn't you?
Look at Islands ; Crystalised ; Basic Space ; VCR ; Night Time (live on Later...)
Listen to a sampling of the Top Fifty on Spotify as we go or the 'one from each album' version
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