xx
by The xx
User Score
8.6

Universal acclaim- based on 426 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 377 out of 426
  2. Mixed: 26 out of 426
  3. Negative: 23 out of 426

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  1. RG
    Sep 7, 2009
    10
    Simply great!
  2. JeffC
    Aug 28, 2009
    10
    Best album I've heard all year. Totally infectious. Has been on repeat for over a week. Love it.
  3. j30
    Nov 27, 2011
    8
    Even though the music feels simple and could be boring, this. vocally driven album cuts deep.
  4. NickV.
    Jan 20, 2010
    10
    Music these days is in essence utter shit. This is different.
  5. SteveL.
    Feb 11, 2010
    7
    While this CD is good, it is not as ground breaking or innovative as the critics suggest - I do know, maybe for 19 year olds. There are other low-key indie rock or pop CDs released during 2009 that are better; for example, Bat For Lashes - Two Suns and Camera Obscura - My Maudlin Career; also, I recommend the just released Beach House - Teen Dream. Additional better musical investments While this CD is good, it is not as ground breaking or innovative as the critics suggest - I do know, maybe for 19 year olds. There are other low-key indie rock or pop CDs released during 2009 that are better; for example, Bat For Lashes - Two Suns and Camera Obscura - My Maudlin Career; also, I recommend the just released Beach House - Teen Dream. Additional better musical investments from 2009 are Girls - Album and Dirty Projectors - Bitte Orca. I will keep this xx CD (I do like it) but I am debating whether I will still go see their upcoming sold out Atlanta show - I can get double face value for my ticket!… Expand
  6. CharlesW.
    Oct 6, 2009
    10
    Soothing, refreshing & simple.
  7. JonathanA
    Sep 24, 2009
    10
    Really surprised by this one. Dark, sensual indierock for the midnight hour. Four, five listens in, and I'm addicted to it. Best debut of 09, and one of the best of the year.
  8. DmitryS.
    Nov 12, 2009
    10
    Best album of 2009, no question about it!
  9. KolT.
    Dec 15, 2009
    10
    My album of the year. Love every song on this record.
  10. KeithG
    Apr 25, 2012
    7
    I really enjoyed this album when it came out a couple years ago, but I wonder whether or not it will stand the test of time. The tone may be a little one color. I get the nagging feeling that if you've heard one XX song, then you've heard them all. That said, "Crystalized" is a downright haunting track. The vocals are impossibly intimate, inviting us into a quiet space between twoI really enjoyed this album when it came out a couple years ago, but I wonder whether or not it will stand the test of time. The tone may be a little one color. I get the nagging feeling that if you've heard one XX song, then you've heard them all. That said, "Crystalized" is a downright haunting track. The vocals are impossibly intimate, inviting us into a quiet space between two lovers. Listen to The XX on those cold winter nights with a good book and a glass of wine.… Expand
  11. Mesmerize
    Aug 9, 2016
    8
    8.0 z
  12. Mike
    Jan 20, 2010
    10
    This is one of the best albums i have ever heard, not trying to recreate just another popular sound. This is in my opinion a groundbreaking album, and a huge breath of fresh air in what seems to be a fastly genre merging music market.
  13. Nick
    Jan 4, 2010
    7
    Putting it simply about this album is all you can do - just a simple, great indie album.
  14. MichalA.
    Mar 8, 2010
    10
    My favorite album of 2009. Sexy, addicting, energetic!
  15. GregT
    Nov 19, 2009
    10
    An extraordinary debut...seamless and seemingly effortless.
  16. ZaneS
    Nov 4, 2009
    9
    By far, the best album I've heard all year. It's absolutely stunning that it's only their debut. The gorgeous, melodic dream pop this young band creates is hard to compare to others. Each song is a pretty as the long. My favorites have to be "VCR," "Heart Skipped a Beat" and "Shelter." But that's only after two listens, so I haven't gotten to known the album By far, the best album I've heard all year. It's absolutely stunning that it's only their debut. The gorgeous, melodic dream pop this young band creates is hard to compare to others. Each song is a pretty as the long. My favorites have to be "VCR," "Heart Skipped a Beat" and "Shelter." But that's only after two listens, so I haven't gotten to known the album thoroughly, but I do know enough that you fall in love even after the first listen.… Expand
  17. Scott
    Oct 22, 2009
    8
    When your sound is this sparse and open, the focus goes to the lyrics. while these lyrics aren't bad, I think they could and should be the center piece of the album. in stead I think they hold it back a bit. that being said, I still enjoyed the album and it's among one of the best debut albums I've heard recently.
  18. TobyH
    Oct 27, 2009
    7
    Brilliant most of the time, though it does fade away a little at the end, like most albums this year (apart from Lungs and It's Blitz!). The gloomy and bleak arrangements remind me of Joy Division, but the beats and crazily overused bass give the songs a very modern feel. Indie meets r'n'b! Especially like Islands, Crystalised and Shelter.
  19. JanJ.
    Oct 7, 2009
    10
    Well build up songs, great basslines and super darkish atmosphere!
  20. chris
    Oct 7, 2009
    10
    Amazing, simply amazing.
  21. Pher
    Oct 8, 2009
    9
    Beautiful record!
  22. AlvaroS
    Oct 9, 2009
    10
    The Best album of 2009. And even more brilliant debut than the pains of being pure ate heart also this year¡¡¡¡¡.
  23. JenT
    Oct 9, 2009
    10
    This album is a game-changer. Period.
  24. CoreyB
    Aug 17, 2009
    9
    Excellent debut album; stripped down and sparse, but still absolutely captivating and unique. This will make a lot of critic's top ten lists this year, and it should. The male and female lead singers also complement each other quite nicely; give this one a chance, it may sound a bit boring at first but it's worth the investment to get to know.
  25. MichelleJ
    Aug 17, 2009
    9
    Unbelievable, literally speechless.
  26. RandiT
    Aug 18, 2009
    9
    Love this album. It borrows from many of my favorite sounds (New Wave, Alternative) while also managing to sound fresh and new. What is also astounding is the band members, comprised of 2 men and 2 women, are only 19!!! Check them out.
  27. CarlosD
    Aug 18, 2009
    10
    It's unique, it's elegant and it's just freaking incredible. It's baby making music for people with $300 headphones. The XX's debut stuns on the first listen and just keeps getting better.
  28. discombobulator
    Aug 19, 2009
    8
    I really enjoy the simplicity of the arrangements and the understated tone. So much music just sounds overproduced. Its like a reaciton to all that pop music with vocals treated with that god-awful autotune rubbish. NICE.
  29. KeithW.
    Aug 28, 2009
    10
    Great album, with absolutely no filler at all. Atmospheric and sparse, achieved without being pretentious or unnatural. The duet works extremely well, and the band's music and lyrics reflects its maturity considering their age and their probable experience with music. Amazing.
  30. PB.
    Sep 12, 2009
    9
    It seems simple at first. Repeated listening quickly disabuses you of that conclusion though. "Shelter" first to stay in my head.
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Awards & Rankings

9
#9 Best Album of 2009
10
#10 Most Discussed Album of 2009
1
#1 Most Shared Album of 2009

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
87

Universal acclaim - based on 25 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 24 out of 25
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 25
  3. Negative: 0 out of 25
  1. MSN Consumer Guide (Robert Christgau)
    Mar 4, 2011
    100
    It's hard to imagine their music getting much better. But it's not hard to imagine their lives getting much better. Which may be all their music needs.
    Read full review
  2. Lost At Sea
    82
    The XX is for lovers and non-lovers alike, though even its surefire appeal I wouldn't call this a pop album. I would deem it sensual, musical in-out.
    Read full review
  3. cokemachineglow
    86
    The album's explication of its own interest in contrast and conversation is perhaps its greatest virtue.
    Read full review
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