The xx: Sparse And Chilling

The xx, featuring four 20-year-olds from South London, has stormed the indie-pop scene with its dark, '80s-style new-wave music. After meeting in London's Elliot School, which claims alumni such as Four Tet, Burial and Hot Chip, the band began toying around with what would become its critically acclaimed debut album.

The xx.

courtesy of the artist

The xx isn't afraid to show love and appreciation for commercial pop music, but offers a different perspective. Its sparse arrangements are lined with chilling synths, pulsing rhythms, '80s-style guitar and R&B-influenced bass patterns. Without a live drummer, the band maintains an airily atmospheric sound by gracefully framing negative space to its advantage.