The Elliot school in London has given us Hot Chip, Four Tet and… ehm… Pierce Brosnan. This year another band from Elliot, The xx has got the thumbs up from the likes of Pitchfork, NME ++ Their debut album, creatively called “xx” came out this august and they are currently touring with Florence + the machine.

Personally, I think the album has its up and some downs, where “Crystalize” is the highlight. Their dreamy, quiet and moodsetting rock, in contrast to much of what is released these days, makes a perfect headnodder. Where other bands go experimental and messy, The xx is quiet and tidy with a tight production and composition.

The band themselves list a wide range of influences from Aaliyah to CocoRosie and Rihanna to The Cure. Their love for RnB resulted in covers of the classic “Teardrops” by Womack and Womack, Aaliyahs “Hot Like Fire” and Kylas “Do You Mind”. (These are not on the album)

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The xx — Hot Like Fire (Aaliyah cover)

The xx — Do You Mind (Kyla cover)

The xx — Teardrops (Womack Womack cover)

The xx — Crystalised

The xx — Basic Space