The xx are nothing short of superb. After being put on to their Mercury Prize nominated-album earlier this year, it stayed in my playlists for months, being played on a daily basis. Whilst it was actually released exactly a year ago yesterday, my exposure to them was late and I fear yours may still be non-existent.
Shelter is probably a good place to start. Combining elements of indie, pop and even R&B/soul into one uncategorisable package, Shelter is a smooth, sultry effort that will lyrically engage you and relax you simultaneously. It’s fantastically mellow, and a truly original sound that has the potential to be absolutely enormous, by virtue of it being impossible to dislike.
Even if this track doesn’t grab you as it does me, there’s bound to be something else on the album you can enjoy. Examples: if you like it even slower, Infinity is the way forward. Quicker? Go with Islands.
This is bloody good.