Review Summary: Incorporating old and new, The XX create a fresh album that was certainly worth the wait.
The XX have been away for a long time. Although their presence has lived on in the form of Jamie xx and his more dance-inspired debut
In Colour, the band decided to take a step back following the slight disappointment that was
Coexist. That isn’t to say
Coexist is a bad album; quite the contrary. The issue, however, was that the trio (quartet at the time) had already released
xx, an incredibly relaxed and expansive album that found the perfect combination of melody and calmness without boring the listener. So when
Coexist came around three years later, listeners were surprised to find more of the same which, as stated before, isn’t exactly an issue, but fans were expecting, perhaps, progression. Something to keep people engaged. Seemingly, The XX realised this too, as
I See You finds the trio incorporating sounds found on
In Colour with their signature relaxed vibe to create an album that shows the band creating something new without forgetting their past.
Jamie’s deviation into solo work, and his subsequent increased exposure to further influences in his music, has brought forth a far more professional sound to his production on
I See You. Whether it be the cheerful horn sections on opener “Dangerous”, the dots of electronic on “Lips”, or the progression throughout “Performance”, his care for melody adds a new sense of character to each of the tracks. At several points throughout the album, the production has the chance to overtake the vocal lines and build up and up, but instead it is left to the much improved vocals of Romy and Oliver to expand on the environments already established. Instead of relying on a lower-octave, both vocalists expand on their range, breathing new life into an otherwise tired formula. The Romy-led “Performance” is a clear standout, slowly building but never drowning out her vocals, with violins fading in as she sings: “Did you think I had a place to go/Since you’ve stopped believing/I’ve had to put on my own show”, all building up before easing back down to allow her guitar to lead the last minute and a half of the track. And Oliver is no slouch either, providing some great performances, particularly on “On Hold”: “When and where did we go cold/I thought I had you on hold”.
Although many of the tracks tread familiar territory, it maintains a fresh sound without compromising what the band has previously maintained. If it weren’t for the subtle inclusion of keys and drums on “Brave For You”, the song could have snugly fit into either one of the band’s previous efforts. If it weren’t for the bass/drum combination or the vocal sample found in “On Hold”, the track would easily be found on
Coexist. The album’s ability to mix old and new is its greatest strength, as all three members hold their own without sounding rehashed. Miss the old duo vocals but want something fresh? “I Dare You” is perfect for you. Craving a slow, drawn out track that doesn’t tire you out? Listen to closer “Test Me”. Everything an old fan could want from The XX is present on
I See You, allowing to both stand tall next to their debut and completely blow away their follow-up.
The slow, methodical pace that “Test Me” presents perfectly encapsulates
I See You as a whole; full of beauty and wonder, but never too taxing on the listener. Throughout its runtime, not once does the listener start to bore. The environments built by Jamie’s production, in conjunction with the subtle implementation of guitar and bass from both Romy and Oliver, allows
I See You to breathe new life into The XX. Their mix of old and new presents something truly its own, willing to stand tall as such.
Recommended Tracks: Dangerous, Lips, Performance, On Hold, Test Me
