The XX - XX

9/10 
It's almost like this album came flying out of nowhere and smacked us all in the face to remind us that there is still hope for a simple four piece band, that likes to just play simple, good music, with none of that overbearing need to make a "massive" album filled with hundreds of layers of synth and lustrous symphonies. Though there is a very appropriate time and place for such albums, this one on the other hand reminds us that there is so much value and life found in the simple minute layers of an album. One of the most gorgeous elements is the underlying romantic feel of the entire work, the male and female responsive vocals tune you into the quiet intensities of two lovers whispering back and forth. Though it almost sounds starved of sound at times, it's done in the most perfect way, it's like a fit runner that is set to give us massive amounts of replay (I'm on my 20th listen this week). No doubt, it has my vote for debut album of the year.

xx - The xx