Coexist [Digipak]

Performer: The xx
Producer: Jamie Smith...
Distributor: n/a

Notes: Lyricists: Oliver Sim; Romy Madley Croft. Personnel: Romy Madley Croft (vocals, guitar); Oliver Sim (vocals). Audio Mixers: Jamie Smith; Rodaidh McDonald. Recording information: Our Studio, London (11/2011-05/2012). Photographer: David Evans . Releasing a debut album as instantly iconic as the xx's self-titled effort was could be intimidating, but the group's second album, Coexist, shows no signs of caving in under pressure. Between albums, the band's status -- and expectations for their follow-up -- grew as Jamie Smith worked with Gil Scott-Heron on the remix album We're New Here (which in turn spawned the Drake song "Take Care," which sampled the pair's "I'll Take Care of U"). Fortunately, as songs such as "Angels" and "Chained" showed, the group hadn't lost any of their deceptively simple, restrained-yet-mysterious allure while they became famous.

Rolling Stone (p.78) - 3.5 stars out of 5 -- "The musical minimalism is matched by the lyrics. The songs are vignettes, about little things -- a glance, a gesture, a murmured word -- that mark big romantic sea changes." Entertainment Weekly (p.140) - "[I]t's exciting to hear the minimalist U.K. trio approach their new-crush odes with such austerity -- just a few steady-droning Casios and an 808 rhythm that buh-bumps like a heartbeat." Billboard (p.32) - "Repeat spins reveal COEXIST to be a more emotive, ever-so-slightly more rhythmic outing, as exemplified by lead single 'Angels'..." Q (Magazine) (p.100) - 3 stars out of 5 -- "[A] tender, touching record. The trio's sound, born in the basement, has served them well." Mojo (Publisher) (p.80) - 4 stars out of 5 -- "The combination of Sim and Madley Croft's vocals creates a tough emotional alloy, their collaged vocals and lyrics ensuring that it's never too sentimental..." Paste (magazine) - "[B]y paring down, letting silence find a foothold and linger awhile, the band has crafted a follow-up that's often as arresting as the debut."

Built around the dueling vocals of the sultry Romy Madley Croft and deadpan Oliver Sim, the XX's signature brand of moody, soulful indie rock first appeared on the public radar in early 2009 with the single "Crystalised," which created a huge buzz among critics and fans alike. Formed the year before while its members were still in high school, the cool, captivating foursome cites influences that run the gamut from R&B (Aaliyah and Rhianna) to classic alternative rock (the Cure and the Pixies).

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