Your Personal Soundtrack: The XX - Basic Space

posted by Chris on September 17, 2009 2:36 PM in Music

I've been listening to The XX's debut album approximately twice a day for a few weeks now, and there's no end in sight. I can't get their simple, elegant melodies out of my head. If anything, it's perfect mood music. I've been stressed out at work and my commute in the morning is more of a death march than anything. The XX serve as a relaxing respite before and after the hell that is a less-than ideal work environment.

Pay attention to the very last riff of Basic Space. I had a difficult time choosing just one song from their album (mainly because I believe you should listen to an album all the way through, just as the artist intended) but the riff at the end clinches it for me. Any other artist in the same vein would repeat that riff over and over again, drilling it into your head. By using it sparsely, building to it until one final release, it becomes more effective. It resonates and reverberates in your mind until you can't take it anymore and you set the track to repeat. Be sure to listen with headphones. There's an intricacy to the sound that can't be missed. It's spartan, detailed, precise and lovely.

The worst part is the band is comprised entirely of 19 year olds. It smacks of early Portishead and I can't wait to hear more from these talented youngsters. Now get off my lawn.

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