Coexist by The xx

Coexist by The xx

With hushed tones, beautiful duets, and an uncanny knack for innovation, the xx is back and gently seducing its listeners in a manner that anyone who has heard their first LP has missed since 2009. After xx, their immensely popular and critically acclaimed debut album, the band shot onto the indie scene. The xx avoids the sophomore slump by stripping their songs down to their fundamental elements; staying true to their original sounds while still continuing their evolution as an indie powerhouse.

                  The record kicks off with a quiet love song that’s emotionally engaging and still musically interesting. Whispered vocals immediately command attention in a way that is difficult to describe. Instead of the swinging guitars that you can’t help but sway in time to, this album replaces them with reverb-drenched guitars that fill the room.

                  The main theme of the record is love found and love lost and the different manners in which it affects the person involved. Their first record was very direct and focused more on sex, but this record takes on a broader approach of the subject, which I think helps it appeal to more audiences without diminishing the value of the music. The xx have an undeniable beauty in their minimalism; not a note is out of place. Their instrument choices, timing, and structure are impeccable. The album is wispy, beautiful, and catchy, an odd but brilliant combination that everyone can enjoy.

                  “Reunion” is another super catchy track that has one slight flaw, which is their incongruous use of a steel drum. Tonally it fits after much equalization, but sadly the instrument itself is too piercing for such a smooth record, but if one of the few critiques I can think of is that the band is experimenting with new instruments and it only half worked, then that is an excellent sign.

“Tides” is one of the standout tracks on the album based almost solely on its delicate duet contrasted against a background of what appears to be industrial noise as the song develops into a much catchier tune. That’s what great bands do; they take an already good song and make it so indelible that you just have to hit repeat, and the xx have nailed that target.

                  “Swept Away” continues the beauty of the album, however cheesy the lyrics may be (“I get swept away/ When I think of you/Take me to that place/Where it’s control I lose”). Unfortunately, this lack of lyrical depth is exactly what keeps the album from being brilliant. Its lyrics are adequate, but disappointing. From such a stellar album, you expect more compelling and well thought out lyrics. Those here left me a bit underwhelmed and well, again, disappointed.

This sophomore LP is wonderful, but still has its faults.       

  8.2/10

Reviewed by Merrick Marquie