Music Endorsement: The xx :: I See You
Sometimes good really does come to those who wait. The xx made sure the beginning of 2017 hit a sweet spot by releasing I See You, even if it includes their signature somber and tried tone. This album sounds and feels like a typical The xx album, but it provides their crispest listening experience yet. During their off-period, Jamie xx found individual success while Oliver and Romy laid low. However, when they got back together they found a way to bring out the best of their individual production and storytelling talents.
I See You makes no new thematic strides. Rather, it sticks with themes of relationship struggles and relies on their signature vast musical landscape, sampling, and call and response singing to draw the listener in. The album continuously shines because each artist is free to roam with their unique sound. Romy has her sultry guitar and voice, Oliver has his consistent bass line and airy vocals and Jamie mixes it all together and peppers in samples.
The album’s best moments come when the production matches the lyrics. This is evident on the first track “Dangerous.” The upbeat and blaring horns create a claustrophobic space that generates anxiety as Romy and Oliver race together to figure out if the love they experience is doomed. This quickly transitions to a sprawling, sample-filled song in “Say Something Loving” that relaxes the listener as the record adopts a more somber tone.
With beautiful soundscapes in the background, I See You takes you on a journey of finding love, suffering heartbreak, rediscovering yourself, challenging yourself and finding love again. It packs a complete relationship cycle into a crisp 39 minutes. The conversational tone drives the album forward, making it easy to slip in and out of songs as Oliver and Romy fight to love someone else as well as themselves. Their messaging ranges from a deep love on “Lips” to a threatened love on “On Hold” and they wrap it up optimistically on “Test Me”. The latter song solidifies Oliver and Romy’s portrayed relationship as they finally find positive moments within themselves and within each other.
Each song allows the singers to experience something new and this makes for an intriguing listen. Their introspection is met with well-timed guitars, bass and samples to create a whole package. Each song is a treat that plays into their overall message of love and relationships. This album was well worth the wait.
Favorite songs: Say Something Loving, A Violent Noise and Performance
