Released amid the cacophony of 9/11 murmurs, the newest release by south London trio The xx features an online interactive map that records where the album is streaming, whether Beijing or Scandinavia. The album, titled “Coexist,” was initially shared with only one person and has since reached the modern world through Twitter, Facebook and Youtube. Coexist, indeed.
The album is unassuming not only in its lack of marketing intervention but also in its abstract minimalism. “Coexist” was not created in a vacuum, but rather profoundly influenced by other recent releases by The Portico Quartet and James Blake. The group deters from the sexy, indie-pop tracks of their debut self-titled album three years prior and instead focuses on dark, brooding soundscapes which require a fine-tuned ear and a very dark room.
The album is about love, that much is certain. In contrast to the youthful desire of the previous release, “Coexist” is riddled with dark themes and the tough realities of lost love. There are no flowery choruses, and their trademark chimed hook is nowhere to be found. However, the familiar thumping bass is still a staple of The xx’s repertoire, providing a firmness and a chilling beauty.
The xx have always featured cinematic and resounding minimalism with a dash of sincerity. The trio doesn’t take themselves too seriously, despite their unexpected stardom. The remarkably vivid piano sequences and gradual crescendos and decrescendos suggest maturity and finesse. The unfinished edges of the previous album have been sanded down to create a refined, sinister storm of an LP.
Essential tracks: Tides, Sunset, Swept away
Rating: 4/5 stars