The XX are one of the bands of the moment. The four 20-year-olds from South London dress in black to make stripped-down music with the biggest impact.
When the first cassette demos featuring a cover of Aaliyah’s Hot Like Fire by The XX started to grace the blogsphere and desks of record labels, a buzz was in the air. Here were four young kids making pop music that sounded like a strange puzzle perfectly put together.
XL Recordings offered them the chance to work with super-producers Diplo and Kwes, but the band refused and produced the debut all by themselves instead. Now, they have released an album that seems to bring the art of distilllation to perfection. The XX take all their influences, strip them down to their essentials and then use them to make a truly original sound.
The XX – 'Basic Space'
There are sounds of early-era The Cure and post-punk, Timbaland and London's grime, or the dreamy folk from Mazzy Star. The songs are quiet, there is room to breathe, and the sparse guitars, broken beats and vocal duets between singer Romy Madley Croft and Oliver Sim create a simple intimacy.
In their Headphone Highlights on Red Bull Music Academy Radio, the four play us some of their favourite tunes, including current R ’n’ B productions like those of Kelis, some punk, and, as they point out, also some calypso rhythms.
See more at thexx.info
Article Details
Related Content
Red Bull Music Academy Radio Presents Pearson Sounds
Red Bull Music Academy Radio, touches down in Brighton on 11th November 2011 and is proud to...
Go To EventRed Bull Music Academy heading to Spain Apr 12, 2011
The Red Bull Music Academy 2011 will be held in Madrid, with the Academy building to become a permanent cultural hub at one of Europe's leading spaces for contemporary creation, Matadero Madrid
Red Bull Music Academy 2011 to relocate Mar 30, 2011
With Japan's capital still readjusting after the country's troubles, on April 11 the Red Bull Music Academy will announce a new location for 2011 instead of Tokyo, while applications for this year's...
Live At The Boiler Room: Jamie xx & Yasmin Feb 21, 2011
The Boiler Room and Red Bull Music Academy Radio have been spreading the love with exclusive recordings from their Valentines special. Today's offering features performances from Jamie xx and...
Red Bull Music Academy Radio on Mixcloud Aug 12, 2010
Red Bull Music Academy Radio has been selected by UK-based radio cast Mixcloud to provide an audio panorama...
Lucky Numbers: Red Bull Music Academy Mar 4, 2010
With the London Red Bull Music Academy class in full swing, we headed next door to the maths class and worked on a few sums
Comments
Add a comment