Blog: The Key

The sparse simplicity of The xx 's critically acclaimed debut, 20092s xx , belies the kind of songwriting effort it takes to write such a consistently engaging album. Unlike some of the band's London-based, indie-rock contemporaries (such as previous tour mates The Big Pink )—which hit audiences over the head with bombastic hooks—The xx lures listeners in with a laid-back subtlety that is no less effective despite being significantly more economical. It's an even more impressive feat given the fact that the album is self-produced; there's no big-name producer or other outside influence telling keyboardist Jamie Smith, [...]