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The xx On World Cafe : World Cafe The xx's sparse arrangements are built around chilling synths, pulsing rhythms, '80s-style guitar lines and R&B-influenced bass patterns. Hear a session from the Mercury Prize winners on World Cafe.

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Music Reviews

The xx On World Cafe

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The xx On World Cafe

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Oliver Sim, Romy Madley Croft and Jamie Smith are The XX. Torre Hallas hide caption

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Torre Hallas

Oliver Sim, Romy Madley Croft and Jamie Smith are The XX.

Torre Hallas

Set List

  • "Islands"
  • "Heart Skipped a Beat"
  • "Night Time / Infinity"

The three South London 20 year olds in The xx became one of last year's biggest underground breakthroughs on the strength of their dark new-wave sound. The group's self-titled debut cropped up on many 2009 Top 10 lists and won the 2010 Mercury Prize for best album from the United Kingdom.

The xx's style stems from a variety of mainstream pop influences, but its approach veers toward striking minimalism. Sparse arrangements are built around chilling synths, pulsing rhythms, '80s-style guitar lines and R&B-influenced bass patterns. Without a live drummer, The xx uses negative space to create an airy atmosphere.

This World Cafe performance originally aired on Jan. 29.