The xx - I See You Album Review

Story posted January 15, 2017 in CommRadio, News by Allison Wulfhorst

An album filled with a variety of tracks, while holding onto similarities to make the piece more cohesive is what best describes The xx’s newest and third release, I See You. It puts together tracks that go hand and hand with one another, while each song still remains unique and its own. This prevents most of the tracks from being lost and forgotten in the whole feeling of the album.

The xx are considered an indie/electronic pop group from London, England made up of three members: Oliver Sim, vocalist and bassist, Jamie Smith, drummer and producer, and Romy Madley Croft, vocalist and guitarist.

I See You begins with the funky and upbeat first track, “Dangerous”. The band mixes a trumpet with the alternative instrumentals and even electronic effects to create a sound like no other. These effects last during the majority of the song and when combined with Sim’s and Croft’s vocals, sound wonderful. Their voices blend well during the whole track, but especially in the chorus. Both their vocals are mellow, which show off a contrast with the effects that turn the song upbeat.

There are other songs similar to “Dangerous” that take the upbeat effects and instrumentals to create a song with enough balance between the relaxing indie sound and a funky rock one. These songs are “A Violent Noise” and “On Hold”. Both contain similar elements, but each stand out with their own sound, while blending with the overall feeling of the record. “A Violent Noise” has parts where there are softer vocals and effects, while in others faster and more intense ones. The instrumentals and vocals equally speed up and gain intensity to match some lyrics in the chorus. “Every beat is a violent noise.”

“On Hold” is the most upbeat and rock sounding song on the record. This makes it stand out, but the way the instrumentals are used allows it to fit into the sound of the album as a whole. What makes it unique is the use of the electronic effects. All the other songs on the record utilize them, but this is the one where they are the most prominent. They also sound different compared to the relaxing effects that make this album sound calm overall. These effects sound like they belong in a pop-electronic track instead.

The remainder of the album follows a calm sound, especially in the tracks “Performance” and “Replica”. Each one has a similar feel to them because of features like they each doesn’t have many complex electronic effects like another track, “Lips”. “Replica” is instrumentally driven, as the effects and instrumentals overpower the vocals at times and tend to lead the song in the correct direction. However, overpower is not meant negatively in this case. Somehow, this element works in these parts of the song since its focused on the relationship between the instrumentals, effects, and vocals.

The album concludes with “Test Me”, the mellowest song and one that does its job of wrapping I See You up completely. The vocals only last until about two minutes before the song ends and the rest is a combination of electronical effects and instrumentals. They sound dark and dramatic, which creates a somber feeling. Similarly, to when something good comes to an end. It closes out this record in a way that is truly unique. The length of pure instrumentals give the listener time to reflect and think about the album and the lyrics.

I See You is a great listen for anyone looking for a relaxing record to chill to, and especially for fans of the indie genre. It does not contain as many rock elements as other bands considered part of the indie rock genre and the use of electronic effects makes them unique when compared to other artists. This record is one that is cohesive and at the same time blends different elements together that wouldn’t seem to make any sense. The xx makes them work in a way that wouldn’t be expected.

Rating: 8/10

 

Allison Wulfhorst is a freshman majoring in Journalism. To contact her, email her at akw5392@psu.edu.