Thursday 19 July 2012

-Music Videos on my Mind- The xx’s “Angels”

If Shakespeare could compare his love to a summer's day then it makes total sense for The xx to use imagery of oil mixed in water to echo similar sentiments.

It's hard to know what to make of The xx. Even before their eponymously titled album won the prestigious Mercury Music Award in 2009, it seemed the band was making the kind of stuff designed to appeal to those too cool for comfort. Their music was everywhere, from political promotional ads to crappy American teen movies, making them look like a new Coldplay.

The xx are back with Angels, the first single taken for their sophomore effort, Coexist. It's a brave release to have made as the song is totally stripped to bare essentials, favouring minimalism and mood over fireworks. The no frills video and spartan production arrangements mean all attention is drawn to singer Romy Madley Croft's vocals, utterly convincing in its meditation on love and longing. As a song it doesn't really go anywhere or build up to anything big, it just dwells, lingering on cosmic thoughts and deep emotions. That's not something widely done in pop music anymore.

4 comments:

  1. First off I want to say superb blog! I had a quick question which I'd like to ask if you do not mind. I was interested to know how you center yourself and clear your mind before writing. I have had a tough time clearing my mind in getting my thoughts out. I do take pleasure in writing but it just seems like the first 10 to 15 minutes are lost simply just trying to figure out how to begin. Any recommendations or tips? Many thanks!
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  2. I really don't understand that what is XX ? It is video album or movie. I saw first album and it is really good.

    Russell Solomon

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  3. I am really surprised at how much I like this song. The XX's last album I loved at first, but then grew to loath. Like delete from my itunes loath. I got tired of the breathy vocals, the instruments being more interesting than the vocals...But this...this I like! I'll come back and listen a few times to make sure it's not a honeymoon phase ;)

    PS
    have I told you incredibly STOKED I am that you know and also love Electric Boogaloo 2?? I have never found another soul who loves it as much as me - let alone knows about it!

    I'll see if I can get Jennifer to watch it..

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  4. It's different from the synthetic sounds that seem predominant these days, which is a good thing. I prefer songs with a buildup, but I like this.

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