I See You [LP]

by The xx

Overview

In music and love, routine can be deadly. The exquisite stillness of the xx's music was so distinctive and influential that, by the time of Coexist, it felt dangerously close to confining them instead of defining them. Given the half decade between that album and I See You, change wasn't just necessary, it was inevitable. Jamie xx's solo work signaled that something different was on the way, and in retrospect, Romy Madley Croft and Oliver Sim's cameos on In Colour feel like previews for these songs about being musically and romantically bold. I See You unleashes the xx's passion with swifter tempos, fuller arrangements, and a newfound heat in Sim and Croft's vocals on songs like "On Hold," which also showcases Jamie xx's audacious production skills as he turns a snippet of Hall & Oates' "I Can't Go for That (No Can Do)" into an irresistibly jittery hook. The band's commitment to taking chances reaps rewards elsewhere: "Dangerous" kicks off I See You with a brass fanfare that's about as far as the xx can get from the plaintive seduction of their early work. Indeed, the album's happiest songs are among the best, whether Sim and Croft are falling in love all over again over contrail guitars on "Say Something Loving" or letting a relentless beat give their flirtation momentum on "I Dare You." When the xx pare back, they do it with purpose, and still find subtle ways to push themselves. In another act's hands, the propulsive self-doubt of "A Violent Noise" would be a club banger, but they opt for simmering tension instead of drops and peaks. Croft shows off her seldom-heard upper register on "Lips" and "Performance," one of several moments on I See You where the band's self-awareness borders on meta. Sometimes, this becomes too literal and repetitive; as enjoyable as the sultry swagger of "Replica" and heartfelt balladry of "Brave for You" are, it's hard to shake the feeling that the xx are retracing their steps. Nitpicking aside, the risks they take on this album pay off: I See You is some of their most captivating music since their debut. ~ Heather Phares

Product Details

Release Date:	01/13/2017
Label:	Young Turks
UPC:	0889030016119
Rank:	36717

Tracks

1. Dangerous
2. Say Something Loving
3. Lips
4. A Violent Noise
5. Performance
6. Replica
7. Brave for You
8. On Hold
9. I Dare You
10. Test Me

Album Credits

Performance Credits

The xx   Primary Artist
Emma Owens   Viola
Laurie Anderson   Viola,Viola
James Underwood   Violin
Jamie Smith   Drums,Piano,Violin,Vocals,Keyboards,Synthesizer,Drums,Piano,Violin,Vocals,Keyboards,Synthesizer
Ben Somers   Saxophone
Eos Counsell   Violin
Neil Waters   Trumpet
Peter Gregson   Cello
John Smart   Violin
Romy Madley Croft   Guitar,Vocals,Keyboards
Oliver Sim   Bass,Vocals
Stella Mozgawa   Drums
Hal Ritson   Guitar (Bass)
Oliver Langford   Violin
Charlotte Eksteen   Cello
Iskra Strings   Strings

Technical Credits

David Wrench   Mixing,Programming
Sara Allen   Composer
Jamie Smith   Mixing,Composer,Engineer,Producer,Programming,String Arrangements,Mixing,Composer,Engineer,Producer,Programming,String Arrangements
Phil Lee   Design,Art Direction
Romy Madley Croft   Design,Composer,Art Direction,Additional Production
Oliver Sim   Composer,Photography
Hal Ritson   Engineer,Programming
Rodaidh McDonald   Engineer,Producer
Paul Frith   Orchestration
Marta Salogni   Engineer
Caius Pawson   A&R