The more music we listen to, the more we refine our likes and dislikes. Yet, there is no guarantee as to which emotion we’ll feel for that is equally elusive; a somewhat puzzling conundrum I explored in Music Isn’t Always The Universal Harmoniser. Hence, when I came across The xx, a band that I had completely ignored until their 2017 release I See You, I was left in a state of emotional flux for I was intrigued, but as I sampled I See You, I simultaneously felt as though something was missing.
It turns out that there wasn’t anything missing in the music, but by listening to I See You on a relaxing Sunday drive, everything fell into place and allowed me to connect with the music in a manner that I was incapable of via any other method. It was such a revelation that I couldn’t help but wonder if other albums, that I had dismissed, wouldn’t have appealed more to me in different listening situations.
While I acknowledge that The xx isn’t your typical driving music, escaping from my familiar surroundings ensured that my mind was ready to accept a new musical experience, one that allowed the music to intertwine with my outdoor surroundings thereby permitting a greater sense of connection, realism, and appreciation for I See You and The xx.
The real lesson here is, of course, there is no perfect way to listen to music.
Dangerous sets the tone of the album with a horn introduction that is pure perfection. The bass beat throughout, while predictable, is pleasing to the ears and has more than enough depth to captivate your senses.
Say Something Loving has a unique vocal introduction that is well-suited to the track and as the song progresses the vocal tonality and variance in the beat is superb. It’s an exceptional song, but I would be lying if I didn’t say that it could be more dynamic as the soundstage is a little too shallow and subsequently fails to completely absorb the listener in the music.
Lips launches with a glorious vocal interlude, reminding me why, more often than not, I consider vocals to be akin to a musical instrument. Lips has a perfect harmonic presentation and is thoroughly engaging. If you only listen to one song from I See You, make it this one!
A Violent Noise slowly builds to a sonic masterpiece. It pulls you in, captivates your soul, and is nothing short of spectacular!
Performance is a lovely ballad-styled song that presents Romy Croft’s vocals so clearly and forward in the soundstage that one would believe she is present in the room with you. It's a performance, no pun intended, that has to be heard to be believed.
Replica follows the ballad pace of Performance beautifully and is equally compelling. Simply Magnificent!
Brave For You is perfectly tracked and isn’t merely there to provide filler for the album as it, along with the previous two songs, are amongst some of the best compositions on the album. The bass tracking throughout Brave For You has an incredible timbre, amazing me every time I hear it.
I simply love On Hold.
I Dare You has a fantastic rhythm that would make a perfect addition to any road trip playlist.
Test Me, while not as upbeat as the rest of the music, is a lovely song to close the album with.
While it may have taken listening to The xx’s I See You in the background, on a Sunday drive, for me to fully appreciate their musicality, I See You is a sonic masterpiece that has become a valued addition to my music library.