The xx released their new album, Coexist on Sept. 11. While the songs were consistent to their style, the band failed to mature their sound. Graphic by Natalie Hicks/The Minaret
British indie band The xx have come out of hibernation. They released their self-titled album in August 2009 which ranked numerous “best” lists from Rolling Stone to NME. Their music has been featured on television commercials and shows, movie soundtracks and more notably the 2010 Winter Olympic Games. The band toured but were relatively quiet in terms of new music.
After a three year wait, their second album Coexist dropped on Sept. 11 with more of a hushed awe than a bang. The xx’s second album tickles your inner ear with wispy lines like “I will give you me and we’ll be us” from “Our Song.”
While named Coexist, a new xx dynamic is explored. The album showcases Romy Croft’s and Oliver Sim’s voices separately for the first time. They are brought together for the rest of the album. However, they bridge an audio chasm with longing in their voices.
“Angels” opens Coexist with sweet nothings voiced by Croft: “You moved through the room like breathing was easy” and “They would be as in love with you as I am.” Heartbeats of a drumline pulse under Croft’s quavering voice which is lonely without her vocal counterpart.
Back and forth duets return as Sim’s husky musings in “Chained” bring a peppier yet still subdued vibe. “Fiction” lets Sim go solo, but the duo return and stay together in “Try” and throughout the rest of the album’s tracks.
The album in its entirety laments on a love lost or pulled apart by some unfortunate event, as demonstrated in this punchy line in “Sunset”: “I feel like you knew me/now it feels like you see through me.”
The xx becomes more infamous for their repetition in a way that doesn’t tease the mind like a Top 40 artist does, but lulls you into a dreamlike state, pushing and pulling at your senses.
On Coexist this repetition seems to hold back xx at points when they could go in different directions. This album has similar elements that the first one did, aside from moments where something more raw breaks through.
These very instances occur with Croft’s solo track “Angels,” Sim’s “Fiction” and the duo’s “Reunion,” “Missing” and “Our Song.”
“Reunion” uses steel drums to create a more complex sound for the group. It is the most intricate track on the album in both lyricism and composition, taking a pause in the middle to become a club remix of itself. “Swept Away” similarly remixes itself halfway through, becoming a little more upbeat than the usual xx fare but not really pushing the envelope in terms of lyrics.
“Missing” is experimental for xx in its own right with several drops coming back with a new energy. Sim and Croft take turns as ghost voices moaning in the background while the other contemplates the chorus.
The album passes by, however, without ever being shocking, which may delight fans who feared this album would leave behind The xx they know and love. While some subtle musicalities distinguish Coexist as new, it just doesn’t make jaws drop. To be fair, The xx isn’t something you listen to for shock factor. Instead, you turn them on when in need of zen or thoughtful meditation.
However, despite giving the people what they want, I think the group could have pushed a little harder. They do go for riskier beats, but, for the most part, you could play their first album and Coexist back to back and never notice the progression.
Since their first album was so successful, true fans have been holding out for three years with high anticipation. Instead, their sound remained fairly stagnant which made the long wait somewhat of a disappointment.
“Our Song” sweetly ties Coexist up in a rose-colored bow. The chorus bites with alternately bitter and sugary overtones: “Well I know all the words to take you apart/you know I know your heart/I want to mend your heart.”
The xx played their hand well, knowing the hearts of their fans, but perhaps lost a chance to take themselves apart and see what’s new and vibrant inside.
Critic’s Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars