The XX

[SwedgeAntilles]

Only on A Violent Noise and I'm already loving it. Say Something Loving sounds better in the context of the album than it did as a standalone track. 

[reflekting]

I watched Phoenix in 2013 after a lot of deliberation. I sincerely hope a similar clash doesn't rear it's ugly face this time around. 

[sheffieldlady]

Their 2013 set is one of my favorites!

[Matt - Ed Banger Records]

Going against the grain a touch, not really feeling the opening track myself, couple of duff bits but a thoroughly enjoyable 39 minutes of music. I can't imagine that if they play I will be anywhere but front and centre.

[mjsell]

Think the albums class. Actually stayed up last night to listen to it when it got put up on spotify at midnight - never do that normally, I blame all your good comments on here.

Dangerous is cracking aint it? that will be mega live.

Will be rinsing this album for a while methinks

[Keithy]

24 minutes ago, sheffieldlady said:

Their 2013 set is one of my favorites!

Ditto for me too. Was on the barrier, surrounded by some really nice people. Was pretty magical and probably my favourite Glastonbury memory. Cannot wait to see them again this year.

[mjsell]

50 minutes ago, SwedgeAntilles said:

Only on A Violent Noise and I'm already loving it. Say Something Loving sounds better in the context of the album than it did as a standalone track. 

Completely agree with this. When they released it as a standalone after On Hold I didnt really understand how the two would connect - but the alubm works very nicely.

Think this review sums it up pretty nicely https://www.theguardian.com/music/2017/jan/12/the-xx-i-see-you-review-stepping-out-of-their-own-shadow

Its a change but still with their uniqueness.

 

[Spindles]

7 hours ago, Squonk said:

How wrong I was ! Mumfords were boring and I watched the XX set on TV when I got back and it was amazing. Lots of real tingles on your spine moments

2013 was the last time I went as a family group and all meeting up for the close of the festival headliner was something we were all agreed on, a mistake in retrospect.  I've watched/played as background music that XX gig dozens of times since.

As others have said A violent noise really stands out and there is plenty that I could imagine working really well live amongst other favourites from the first couple of records,  they are at the perfect point in their career for a big slot I think.  

[Tuna]

The record comes flying out of the blocks, fuck me. I hadn't listened to any of the songs beforehand either so everything was new. The production sparkles, I can't wait to listen on even better headphones this weekend. I wouldn't say the last half tails off, as such, but the dancey-ness gets replaced by the two voices to-ing and fro-ing, so repeated listens and actually taking in the vocals more is in order. But first impressions are absolutely fantastic.

[mjsell]

I think 'Performance' is absolutely beautiful as well.

The production levels are fantastic.

[ghostdancer1]

love love love Replica

hope they start playing it live now that the album is released.

 

[Nduja]

Halfway through. This is great.

 

Anyone got a link to the drake sampling bonus track Naive?

Edited January 13, 2017 by Nduja

[stuartbert two hats]

50 minutes ago, mjsell said:

Completely agree with this. When they released it as a standalone after On Hold I didnt really understand how the two would connect - but the alubm works very nicely.

Think this review sums it up pretty nicely https://www.theguardian.com/music/2017/jan/12/the-xx-i-see-you-review-stepping-out-of-their-own-shadow

Its a change but still with their uniqueness.

 

Yeah, I thought that review was really on point.  

Recently when the headliners thread ended up talking about Mumfords, I said that my ideal new album is one that unmistakably bears the identity of the band, whilst simultaneously not sounding like their prior work, a trick that Mumfords managed to fuck up both times (by recording their first album again for no.2 and sounding totally anonymous for the 3rd)  The xx have succeeded completely this time, after a misstep in Closer.  It's clearly like the xx, but it's hard to imagine any (except perhaps Test Me) of these new tracks being on their previous albums.

Only problem?  It's too short!

 

[mjsell]

10 minutes ago, stuartbert two hats said:

Yeah, I thought that review was really on point.  

Recently when the headliners thread ended up talking about Mumfords, I said that my ideal new album is one that unmistakably bears the identity of the band, whilst simultaneously not sounding like their prior work, a trick that Mumfords managed to fuck up both times (by recording their first album again for no.2 and sounding totally anonymous for the 3rd)  The xx have succeeded completely this time, after a misstep in Closer.  It's clearly like the xx, but it's hard to imagine any (except perhaps Test Me) of these new tracks being on their previous albums.

Only problem?  It's too short!

 

Mumfords have had 3rd album?? That gladly passed me by.

And yeah, all the best acts continually give each of their albums their own identity within the realm of their own sound. If a band makes more than 2 albums that sound the same its curtains in my music listening world

Agree on the shortness thing. I've managed to get through it about 4 times this morning already.

Edited January 13, 2017 by mjsell

[stuartbert two hats]

22 minutes ago, Scruffylovemonster said:

40 minutes is ideal album running time. Too long is never a good thing. 

Is that what Mrs Scruff says to console you post coitus?

[stuartbert two hats]

30 minutes ago, mjsell said:

Mumfords have had 3rd album?? That gladly passed me by.

And yeah, all the best acts continually give each of their albums their own identity within the realm of their own sound. If a band makes more than 2 albums that sound the same its curtains in my music listening world

Agree on the shortness thing. I've managed to get through it about 4 times this morning already.

Although Harvest and Harvest Moon get a pass for both being brilliant and 20 years apart.

Edited January 13, 2017 by stuartbert two hats

[stuartbert two hats]

Just now, Scruffylovemonster said:

She'd be over the moon with 40 minutes!

She's happy if we get to the opening vocals on Shine on you Crazy diamond!

I'd have thought getting to the guitar riff would be pretty good!

[stuartbert two hats]

8 minutes ago, Scruffylovemonster said:

Den dern den derrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrn!

Den dern den... ahhhhhhhhh, more like.

[Noeliam]

I love the album! 

Only one listen and I know that "I Dare You" is my favorite! Outstanding track!

[mjsell]

7 minutes ago, Noeliam said:

I love the album! 

Only one listen and I know that "I Dare You" is my favorite! Outstanding track!

I know its a good album because my favourite track changes on each listen.

 

[T-Mouse]

14 minutes ago, mjsell said:

I know its a good album because my favourite track changes on each listen.

 

This. It's gone from A violent noise to Replica to Dangerous. Performance live is going to be quite beautiful I imagine.

[st dan]

This album has again made me realise that three albums in, and I'm still torn as to whether I prefer Oli's or Romy's vocals. 

They both really are fantastic vocalists and work so well alternating between solos and duets. I feel the flow of this album captures this at its finest. 

[gmb1992]

What a fab album.

Is the Bestival slot confirmed or just a rumour? 

[eFestivals]

4 minutes ago, gmb1992 said:

Is the Bestival slot confirmed or just a rumour?

it's just people's guesses.

[Anderson19]

Just fantastic isn't it, stayed up until midnight for the album to be released on Spotify and going to get a physical copy today. 

Cannot wait to see these on the farm 1 band that has so far eluded my live, as many others have said went for Mumford over them in 2013, was that really almost 4 years ago.

Hard to pick a standout track as it changes with every listen but I really is a superbly produced album from start to finish and it's only going to sound better live.