2009 debut album from the London-based quartet who combine beautiful, hushed vocal duets and a brilliantly inventive use of samples and low-end frequencies to produce stark, sweet melancholic Pop. Comprising Jamie Smith, Baria Qureshi, Oliver Sim and Romy Madley Croft, The xx came to prominence with their gorgeous 'Crystallized' single from earlier in the year. The song was possibly the best dueling boy/girl vocal track since... 'Nothing Better' by the Postal Service? 'No Hope for Us' by Arab Strap? Not like we're keen on hyperbole or anything, but the Big Pink and Micachu and the Shapes have both taken the band on tour with them, so they clearly share our excitement over this lot. XL Recordings. 2009.