I See You - New Album Release by The XX
ALBUM TITLE: I See You
ARTIST: The XX
GENRE: Electropop / Indie
After a long four and a half year wait, The XX's highly anticipated album I See You was released on January 13th, 2017. Expressing a more expansive and ambitious sound, the dramatic album reveals The XX's continued growth and evolution throughout their musical career.
The XX's newest album is louder, bolder, and a lot more confident. Everything Oliver, Romy, and Jamie have been holding back from 2009 until now has been released into this sensational, overpowering album. In 2009, their self titled album was full of delicate hesitancy. The soft and dreaminess of their album Coexist in 2012 made you feel like you were floating in clouds. But here is 2017, the year of widespread activism, of finding your voice, and of finding pride in who you are. The XX in I See You is stronger and more self assured than ever. With song titles such as "Brave For You", "I Dare You", "A Violent Noise", and "Test Me," the album speaks for itself. Both Romy and Oliver step out of their comfort zones and present bold vocals over Jamie's confident and more experimental synths and rhythms.
The innovation in instrumental sounds are likely influenced by Jamie's side project. Between the album release for Coexist and recording for I See You, Jamie had the opportunity to dive deep and develop a distinctive trip electronica groove on his solo project Jamie xx. This is really reflected in I See You, with Jamie bringing back those sounds and incorporating it into the album. This is evident right away in the album's opening track Dangerous, which starts off with a series of trumpet horn blares that are also incorporated throughout the rest of the song.
I See You also features the new found outspoken individualism of Romy and Oliver's vocals and songwriting. The lyrics are as emotional and personal as ever, but the difference is that Romy and Oliver don't sound afraid of voicing it this time. On Hold quickly became one of my favorite songs on the album, which prominently displays the confidence of Romy and Oliver's assertive voices perfectly entwined. In Brave For You, as Romy sings 'I will be brave...do the things that I'm afraid to do,' the strength that gains in her voice makes it sound believable, and as you listen you start to gain a feeling of comfort and confidence with her.
I See You, while staying true and holding on to the original essence of The XX, presents something refreshing and new to both old fans and new listeners.
My personal favorites from the album, in order:
1. Dangerous
2. A Violent Noise
3. Performance
4. On Hold
Tracklist:
1. Dangerous
2. Say Something Loving
3. Lips
4. A Violent Noise
5. Performance
6. Replia
7. Brave For You
8. On Hold
9. I Dare You
10. Test Me