xx is one of those odd records that I could not have gotten more wrong. I had previously only listened to “Intro” and “Crystallized,” the xx’s two best-known songs, and I had somehow taken them for an indie electronica group. Part of this may be the result of my having listened to some of Jamie xx’s In Colour, which leans further into electronica and house than xx does, but this isn’t an excuse. I also might have, shamefully, confused them with M83, although I have no idea how I could have done that–the two groups sound entirely different.

The soothing bass lines on the album combined with airy, almost haunting vocals makes the album a must-listen. My favorite tunes here are “Islands,” “Shelter,” and “Infinity,” which–if Spotify is any indication–shows that my taste is in line with that of other listeners.

All together, xx is a great album to merely chill to. It’s lack of energetic, high-tempo beats is a blessing: it’s a respite from much faster-paced music.