xx
by The xx
User Score
8.6

Universal acclaim- based on 426 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 377 out of 426
  2. Mixed: 26 out of 426
  3. Negative: 23 out of 426

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  1. Jeremy72
    Sep 17, 2022
    10
    When this was released and came on the scene. It changed everything. Everything any of these 3 do has that taste level and thought unlike most out there
  2. Crystalised94
    Sep 17, 2022
    5
    An all time classic. So influential to this day. To think they were just teenagers is mind blowing
  3. All_ButTrU4
    Jun 14, 2022
    6
    This records best quality is definitely not the singers. Their voices rarely emote beyond breathy longing and dead pan. It's unfortunate hut not detrimental as it somehow manages to be saved by the cool airy production. The songs are constructed as soft easy listening that would fit right in at a BBQ or the beach which contributes to why i like it. It's a very light record that takesThis records best quality is definitely not the singers. Their voices rarely emote beyond breathy longing and dead pan. It's unfortunate hut not detrimental as it somehow manages to be saved by the cool airy production. The songs are constructed as soft easy listening that would fit right in at a BBQ or the beach which contributes to why i like it. It's a very light record that takes heartbreak and uses it as a reason to still keep dancing. Favorites: shelter, crystallized & heart skipped a beat.… Expand
  4. pugowner
    Apr 24, 2018
    9
    This album is an minimalist pop classic, none of their subsequent albums or even Jamie's solo album can top this
  5. spacebear1
    Dec 18, 2017
    10
    xx is an amazing debut album for an amazing band. In fact, this band has become my favorite band since hearing this album. From the first track to the last, this is low, soft, ambient music is flawless.
  6. greekmatthew
    Mar 12, 2017
    8
    Emotional down to its very core. A renewing story of love, lust, and finding romance again. The sounds intertwined with its intimate lyrics are unique and bring a sound that no artist has created before.
  7. edhdxx
    Jan 7, 2017
    10
    É incrível como eles conseguem fazer um som maravilhoso com enorme simplicidade, e as letras são fantasticas, as batidas são divinas e com uma enorme possibilidade de remix.
  8. brockcheese
    Jan 6, 2017
    9
    This album is incredible. The sparse dissonant vocals, combined with the minimalist electronic beats provide for an atmosphere that feels isolated and calm.
  9. Mesmerize
    Aug 9, 2016
    8
    8.0 z
  10. normankant
    Jun 13, 2015
    9
    This record redefined pop.
    It is intimate, soft, elegant and moving.
    Its minimal style (which is a revisitation of Young Marble Giant's sound) mixed with the dark mood of the trio are what will become the unique characteristics of The XX and what will make you love this album.
  11. jotaeseche
    Aug 7, 2014
    9
    What makes this album so special is not its songs themselves, nor its lyrics or voices, nor even its instrumentation, but its special common, yet original rhythm and structure. The perfect example that (at times) less is more; way more.
  12. Muddsjr
    Feb 16, 2014
    8
    The XX's debut is a soft, beautiful and generally very, very good debut for a band that obviously aren't there to make loads of noise that the common band might do. This is an album that comes at its most enjoyable when played in the evening.
  13. 5thbeatle909
    Sep 1, 2013
    10
    This is such a simple album, with such simple instruments, simple singing, and simple drums. But I'll bet the producing wasn't that simple to make it sound like it does now. How can something so simple be so good?

    Now one of my favorite bands, I can't stop listening to the xx. That's another thing: their music doesn't get boring for me, I can't listen to it over and over and never get    This is such a simple album, with such simple instruments, simple singing, and simple drums. But I'll bet the producing wasn't that simple to make it sound like it does now. How can something so simple be so good?

    Now one of my favorite bands, I can't stop listening to the xx. That's another thing: their music doesn't get boring for me, I can't listen to it over and over and never get tired.

    A must-listen.    … Expand
  14. axelkoch
    Oct 25, 2012
    8
    Their music's working best when it's instrumental. I'm not saying their voices are bad but the Intro is the very best song on the whole album and additionally one of the best songs in the year 2009! It's just that their singing isn't necessary. In some songs, yes, but not everywhere. The lyrics are nothing special and especially the woman's voice was importunate to me. But enoughTheir music's working best when it's instrumental. I'm not saying their voices are bad but the Intro is the very best song on the whole album and additionally one of the best songs in the year 2009! It's just that their singing isn't necessary. In some songs, yes, but not everywhere. The lyrics are nothing special and especially the woman's voice was importunate to me. But enough negatives: this album is so recreative and great composed, also if I can only pick three special songs out of them 11. (Intro, Heart Skipped A Beat, Crystalised)… Expand
  15. charlesobrien
    Sep 8, 2012
    7
    Great debut album, however it manages to become dull over time. Coexist is a breath of fresh air for returning fans.
  16. frazilio
    Aug 28, 2012
    10
    Esse cd sem duvida alguma é perfeito. Eu ouço ele desde que foi lançado ate hoje ( 3 anos) e ainda me surpreendo. O Novo cd tambem ta excelente e manteve a mesma estrutura!!!
  17. LuizCC
    Jul 30, 2012
    5
    It's a bland album for me. The songs sounds boring, and often kind of inexpressive. Romy's voice is not suitable for the lo-fi scene, and the band sure enough sounds like over hyped. At least their songs are well-written, but the melodies and beats are saturated sound among so much strangeness. The metal strings are over produced. Maybe the band can improve musically, but now it soundsIt's a bland album for me. The songs sounds boring, and often kind of inexpressive. Romy's voice is not suitable for the lo-fi scene, and the band sure enough sounds like over hyped. At least their songs are well-written, but the melodies and beats are saturated sound among so much strangeness. The metal strings are over produced. Maybe the band can improve musically, but now it sounds just like nothing outrageous to me.… Expand
  18. Ricko
    Jul 5, 2012
    8
    Good ambient indie guitar record. It's got a very consistent style across the album with all the tracks slipping into each other smoothly. The best thing about this band are that they have a unique and distinctive style and have brought something new to the market. Received great reviews in general, I have to agree for the most part. Only thing I would like is a little more variation inGood ambient indie guitar record. It's got a very consistent style across the album with all the tracks slipping into each other smoothly. The best thing about this band are that they have a unique and distinctive style and have brought something new to the market. Received great reviews in general, I have to agree for the most part. Only thing I would like is a little more variation in the songs and perhaps a couple of more quicker paced tunes. The last third of the record goes at a crawling pace. Having said that the consistent style across the album is probably one of the main things that make it all sound so well put together and well thought out. The record gives a very specific vibe - always reminds me of darkness. It's like being in an empty night club or something. My favourite tracks are "Intro", "Islands" and "Heart Skipped a Beat"… Expand
  19. KeithG
    Apr 25, 2012
    7
    I really enjoyed this album when it came out a couple years ago, but I wonder whether or not it will stand the test of time. The tone may be a little one color. I get the nagging feeling that if you've heard one XX song, then you've heard them all. That said, "Crystalized" is a downright haunting track. The vocals are impossibly intimate, inviting us into a quiet space between twoI really enjoyed this album when it came out a couple years ago, but I wonder whether or not it will stand the test of time. The tone may be a little one color. I get the nagging feeling that if you've heard one XX song, then you've heard them all. That said, "Crystalized" is a downright haunting track. The vocals are impossibly intimate, inviting us into a quiet space between two lovers. Listen to The XX on those cold winter nights with a good book and a glass of wine.… Expand
  20. Everlong
    Apr 7, 2012
    8
    The xx have a sound that is very unique compared to other indie rock bands and that is a primary reason this album is so enjoyable. The songs are simple but soothing and overral are a refreshing change to the repetitive dribble of most indie pop bands. I look forward to the xx's follow up album.
  21. AdamJ
    Jan 27, 2012
    9
    Music unlike most anything I've heard before. Quietly confident, other worldly, spooky. It's too easy to label this as 'atmospheric', but the imagery this music creates is so magical. So easy to listen to, so easy to fall in love with.
  22. nathan46
    Jan 6, 2012
    10
    This album is really, truly and utterly one of the greatest albums of indie rock. It is an album with great compositions, great lyrics. It is an album worth listening to.
  23. maxhill
    Dec 27, 2011
    10
    Intro, VCR and Islands are the highlights, but all amazing... loved ever minute listening to it, and I would recommend anyone to listen to it, be good to have good headphones since the bass in some of the songs are out of this world!
  24. j30
    Nov 27, 2011
    8
    Even though the music feels simple and could be boring, this. vocally driven album cuts deep.
  25. Vampire25
    Mar 1, 2011
    9
    Completely different from anything I've ever heard. The XX debut's album is simply astonishing. Just so different from **** they have today. Each song is just so catchy. Romy Madley Croft and Oliver Sim's vocals are like sex. They are THAT good. All In All, The XX's debut album is amazing. A-
  26. MusiclyMade
    Sep 8, 2010
    9
    Well deserved Mercury Prize.
    I would recommend 'Crystalised', and a hidden gem from the album is actually the intro. 'Heart Skipped A Beat' is also lovely.
  27. fredphoesh
    Aug 12, 2010
    2
    A really excellent album spoiled by the female vocalist needing to be FAR less contrived, pretentious, and FORCED. Horribly over breathy and "choked up" to the point of extremely annoying. Otherwise, Hugo Largo & Tom Verlaine influences are lovely and sound fresh. A real pity about the terribly overcooked female vocals.
  28. ElliotM.
    Apr 12, 2010
    9
    An almost perfect album with mesmerising sounds and a brilliant flow. Songs have a lyrical beauty and are mixed to perfection making this one of the greatest début albums ever. Their next album is greatly anticipated.
  29. BenC.
    Mar 24, 2010
    6
    I completely agree with Alek O. This is yet another example of this longstanding trend of songs without music. It's very slow, very boring and though acceptable as background music while not doing very much, I couldn't listen to it in the car for fear of it putting me to sleep. It gets as high a rating from me as it does because this is an INCREDIBLY well done version of this I completely agree with Alek O. This is yet another example of this longstanding trend of songs without music. It's very slow, very boring and though acceptable as background music while not doing very much, I couldn't listen to it in the car for fear of it putting me to sleep. It gets as high a rating from me as it does because this is an INCREDIBLY well done version of this particular genre, though I disagree with the critics somewhat. I feel like album probably owes more to Beck or The Cowboy Junkies than it does to Portishead.… Expand
  30. SamuelV.
    Mar 15, 2010
    2
    Really boring album. I like only two songs here - 'Intro and' 'Islands'
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Awards & Rankings

9
#9 Best Album of 2009
10
#10 Most Discussed Album of 2009
1
#1 Most Shared Album of 2009

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
87

Universal acclaim - based on 25 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 24 out of 25
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 25
  3. Negative: 0 out of 25
  1. MSN Consumer Guide (Robert Christgau)
    Mar 4, 2011
    100
    It's hard to imagine their music getting much better. But it's not hard to imagine their lives getting much better. Which may be all their music needs.
    Read full review
  2. Lost At Sea
    82
    The XX is for lovers and non-lovers alike, though even its surefire appeal I wouldn't call this a pop album. I would deem it sensual, musical in-out.
    Read full review
  3. cokemachineglow
    86
    The album's explication of its own interest in contrast and conversation is perhaps its greatest virtue.
    Read full review
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