the xx
Lots of praise going out to a bunch of 20-year-olds from London, as after their singles 'Crystalised' and 'Basic Space' The xx finally released their debut album 'xx'. (Yes, that all needs to be lowercase.)
Sparse and atmospheric electro / dream / mystery pop, or whatever label you want to apply, comparisons with post-punk (Young Marble Giants) and new wave are easily made. But mix that with a dose of R&B influence - they've done covers of Womack & Womack's 'Teardrops', Aaliyah's 'Hot Like Fire' and Kyla's 'Do You Mind' - and the result becomes seductively unclassifiable.
Their self-produced album manages to sound both dreamily timid and amazingly assured, stripped down and restrained but rich in its mood of nocturnal longing. No doubt this one will end up in many best of the year lists.
For more xx treats, check their 'Basic Space' dub remix, 'Space Bass', and their FACT Mix 70.