LogFAQs > #975240596

The xx - xx results

The participants sorted by deviation from final results:
FoolFantastic (14)
Johnbobb (14)
HBJDubs (21)
Fluttershy_Pony (26)
MaxGalactica (26)
Seanchan (37)

General Album Comments

FoolFantastic: I first really got into popular music in 2008 with the 1-2 punch of GTA4 and Rock Band 2, and xx was one of the first albums I discovered when I finally started listening to that format in 2010. 2010 was also the year I came out as gay, and though none of the songs here are explicitly about queer subject matter, xx casts an intense sense of isolation through both its lyrical themes and sparse instrumentation that I found familiar (so it was no surprise when I later learned the two vocalists are gay/lesbian). The band was fresh out of high school when they recorded this album, but there is a greater gravity here than typical high school angst (which, vocalist Oliver Sim had very good reasons to be so intense; last year, he came out as having been diagnosed with HIV at age 17, two years before this album was recorded). Yet through all the dire sounds, this album also carries a sense of hope.

On a cultural level, this operates as the immediate precursor to the minimalist pop sound that became an unexpected powerhouse during the 2010s with artists such as Lorde and Lana Del Rey. But it's the dueling vocals between Oliver Sim and Romy that set this apart. Even when they are lyrically cast as opposing forces, their voices carry one another. The minimal instrumentation helps keep their voices centered, but the simplicity also makes every track distinct and instantly catchy. Making such an intense soundscape with so few elements takes serious talent.

And then there's "Intro," the little song that could. So many albums start with a short little piece that is easily forgotten by track two, yet "Intro" has become an unexpected cultural force, sitting at over half a billion streams on Spotify (just 2 million shy of Single Ladies by Beyonce from the same year, for reference). It does what every instrumental intro song wishes it could do, capturing the spirit of the album that follows with such power that it stands on its own. With "Intro," it was no surprise Jamie xx would launch a successful solo career as an electronic artist.

Seanchan: A lot of scattered thoughts on this one, but I'll say overall it was an enjoyable first listen. I felt like I was halfway through it before I had the thought that I was kind of enjoying it. But this album is a great example of why I've fallen away from doing my listens while I'm out for a walk; it's just not the way to absorb an album like this. And then, at the same time, I'll say that this struck me as an album that would be great as a background piece; it's got a mellow vibe but just enough little cool riffs and beats to make you want to listen closer from time to time.

Johnbobb: This is a very weird case where the instrumental intro song is the only song on the album I recognized going in. I feel like seeing these guys live anywhere bigger than a coffee shop would kinda be a downer

HBJDubs: This album is what got me into this style of music as a whole, so I definitely have a soft spot for it. I've shuffled around the rankings for this quite a bit over the years, but Intro is legendary and remains my #1 pretty easily.

MaxGalactica: Honestly wasn't a big fan of this one. I like minimalism a fair amount, but this felt more like an indie pop-rock album that wanted to have a fuller instrumental, but it just didn't. Just not a lot for me to latch on to unfortunately, and the vocalists didn't really make up for it either. I wouldn't say this is a bad album though, just not interesting enough for me to want to go back to any of the tracks from it.

Fluttershy_Pony: I think I like this album. It is very minimalistic in ways I wouldn't be normally drawn to, but it makes it a quite relaxing listen. Not one of my favorites, but still quite enjoyable.

Seanchan: Ultimately I never liked this album more than I did with my first listen, where I was able to just enjoy the vibe/tone. Once I started listening more closely and trying to rank things it kind of came apart for me a bit. I found this to be a tough one to rank but overall I think it's a generally good album.