The xx

The xx. The xx are an English indie pop band formed in London in 2005. The group originally consisted of vocalists and guitarists Romy Madley Croft and Oliver Sim, bassist Baria Qureshi, and producer Jamie xx on beats. Known for their minimalist, atmospheric sound and intimate vocal interplay, they achieved critical and commercial success with their debut album.

History

The members met while studying at Elliott School in Putney, a notable institution that also produced acts like Hot Chip and Four Tet. They began writing music together, developing a stark, nocturnal sound. After signing to the independent label Young Turks, an imprint of XL Recordings, they released their debut album, *xx*, in 2009 to widespread acclaim, winning the Mercury Prize in 2010. Following the album's release, Baria Qureshi departed the band, with the remaining trio redistributing instrumental duties. Their sophomore album, *Coexist*, arrived in 2012, exploring similar thematic and sonic territory. After a hiatus during which Jamie xx released a successful solo album, *In Colour*, the band returned with *I See You* in 2017, incorporating more overt sampling and brighter production. They have since performed at major festivals like Glastonbury and Coachella, and their music has been featured in numerous films, television series, and advertisements.

Musical style and influences

The band's music is characterized by its minimalist aesthetic, spacious arrangements, and the duet vocals of Romy Madley Croft and Oliver Sim. Their foundational sound combines elements of indie pop, dream pop, and trip hop, built on skeletal guitar lines, prominent bass guitar, and programmed beats. Early influences included the melancholic pop of The Cure, the rhythm-centric production of Timbaland, and the sparse R&B of Aaliyah. Producer Jamie xx incorporates influences from UK garage, house music, and dubstep, using reverb and delay to create a vast, echoing soundscape. This blend is evident on tracks like "Crystalised" and "Intro". Their later work, particularly on *I See You*, integrated more expansive production, brass instrument samples, and influences from dance music, as heard on the single "On Hold," which samples Hall & Oates.

Discography

The band's studio albums are *xx* (2009), *Coexist* (2012), and *I See You* (2017). *xx* was recorded in the XL Recordings studio and produced primarily by Jamie xx, achieving platinum sales in the United Kingdom and gold status in the United States. *Coexist* continued their minimalist approach and debuted at number one on the UK Albums Chart. *I See You* marked a significant sonic evolution, featuring contributions from the session horn group The Mountain Man and co-production with Rodaidh McDonald. They have also released several EPs and singles, including "VCR" and "Islands". Their songs have appeared on soundtracks for projects like *The Great Gatsby* and series such as *Skam*.

Members

The current members are Romy Madley Croft (vocals, guitar), Oliver Sim (vocals, bass guitar), and Jamie xx (beats, production, MPC). Romy Madley Croft and Oliver Sim provide the band's signature vocal trade-offs and lyrical themes of intimacy and distance. Jamie xx, real name Jamie Smith, handles production, sound engineering, and live electronic elements, and has achieved notable solo success. Original member Baria Qureshi (guitar, keyboard) was part of the band from its formation until late 2009, contributing to the early sound and touring cycle for *xx* before her departure.

Awards and nominations

The xx have received significant recognition, most notably winning the Mercury Prize in 2010 for their debut album *xx*. They have been nominated for several Brit Awards, including Best British Breakthrough Act and Best British Group. In the United States, they received a nomination for Best New Artist at the Grammy Awards in 2013. Their album *I See You* was nominated for the Mercury Prize in 2017. Individual members have also earned accolades; Jamie xx won the Mercury Prize in 2015 for his solo album *In Colour* and has received Grammy Award nominations for his production work.

Category:English indie pop groups Category:Musical groups from London Category:Mercury Prize winners