Mercury Prize-winning South London trio The xx stunned the
nation into silence with their debut self titled album back in 2009
with a sound that can only be described as their very own. Pure
minimalism at its best, xx unfolded slowly and deliberately with
absolute refinement.
And despite confirmation that the new album would be taking a
different direction, influenced from the dubstep leaning dance
remixes of Jamie xx, Angels, the first single of new album Coexist
shows none of this. Instead, it delivers to us a stripped down
whispering vocal matched with trademark echoing guitar and quiet,
understated percussion. Angels could quite happily sit anywhere on
the first album - out lesbian Romy Madley-Croft's crystal clear
message immerses you completely in what is presumably a three
minute tribute to her long term girlfriend, Rachel.
"And the end is unknown/ But I think I'm ready/ As long as
you're with me/ Being as in love with you as I am." Whilst it does
sound a bit much when penned down, the earnest tone and sincerity
of the vocals recorded means that the track does remain resolutely
and profoundly simple.
Check it out for yourself, below.
Second album from The xx, Coexist, is due for release on
11September through Young Turks
