The xx | "Open Eyes" (Demo) [Stream]

While we were enjoying our Christmas holidays, The xx decided to share a demo of a new song entitled, "Open Eyes". They also happened to mention that they're in the process of recording their sophomore album. Grab some headphones and enjoy. (via)

Gorillaz Performing a Cover of The xx's "Crystalised" (Live on BBC Radio 1 Live Lounge)

Gorillaz appeared on the BBC Radio 1 Live Lounge recently and performed a fantastic cover of The xx's "Crystalised". Watch for yourself down below. (via)

ACL 2010 | After Parties: The xx After Party at Malverde (10/9)

The XX host their official ACL Afterparty this Saturday night, October 9, at Malverde. The night will feature DJ sets from Jamie XX and Fantastic Mr. Fox from 10 pm - 2 am. The first ten people in line will receive FREE tickets to the Ghostland Observatory show at the Cedar Park Center on October 28. Tickets for this party will be $10 at the door.

Video: The xx | "Islands"

SXSW 2010: The xx at The French Legation

The xx | "VCR" Video

The xx's debut still gets regular rotation on our iPods. Checking in at #2 on our favorite albums of 2009, we've already seen videos for "Crystalised", "Basic Space", and even a fan-made video for "Heart Skipped A Beat". Now the band has released a new video for "VCR".

Catch The xx in March during SXSW. Supposedly there's a rumor they'll be at the FADER party (which is always awesome by the way) this year. Can't wait to catch them again! Don't forget they'll also be at this year's Coachella too.

[The xx Myspace]
[The xx Official Site]

Last Night: The xx and Friendly Fires at The Mohawk

The xx

Friendly Fires

The xx | "Heart Skipped A Beat" (Unofficial) Video

One of our favorite new bands to surface this year, The xx are building up quite the following and it's just the beginning. Expect their debut album (purchase from iTunes) to show up on numerous best-of-lists at the end of 2009, including ours. Here's an unofficial video of The xx's "Heart Skipped A Beat" set to some beautiful scenery. (via)

The xx is currently playing a bunch of shows at CMJ this week and will be performing throughout North America from November into the first week of December. That includes a stop here in Austin at The Mohawk opening up for Friendly Fires on Thursday, Nov. 19th. Tickets ($10) are already on sale, purchase them here.

[The xx Myspace]
[The xx Official Site]

Previously:

• The xx Performing "Islands" on Jools Holland
• The xx :: "You've Got The Love" (Florence & the Machine Cover)
• The xx | "Crystalised" (Performed on Amsterdam Acoustics)
• The xx :: "Teardrops" (Womack & Womack Cover) & 2009 North American Tour Dates
  
• The xx | "Basic Space" video & debut album details
• New music from The xx & video for "Crystalised"

The xx Performing "Islands" on Jools Holland

Yeah so if your read our blog regularly we're pretty sure you can tell we kinda love The xx. Here they are performing "Islands" on the Jools Holland program.

The xx :: "You've Got The Love" (Florence and the Machine Cover)

We're still haven't been able to take The xx's debut album out of our ears yet and now we get their stripped down version of Florence and the Machine's "You've Got the Love" (listen to the original), even leaving a few of the original vocals (although remixed) in. Looks like we're gonna stay obsessed. Take a listen down below.



Don't forget The xx will be performing at the Mohawk (outside) on Nov. 19th, opening up for Friendly Fires as they tour North America. Definitely not a show to be missed, so be sure to circle it on those calendars!

The xx | "Crystalised" (Performed on Amsterdam Acoustics)

Last Friday, we posted The xx's amazing rendition of Womack & Womack's "Teardrops" along with their North American tour dates with Friendly Fires (they'll be in Austin on Nov. 19th at Mohawk). We seriously cannot get enough of this band and we found a live acoustic version of Oliver and Romy performing "Crystalized" on a bridge for Amsterdam Acoustics we'd like to share with you.

Purchase The xx's debut album or visit them on their myspace/official site. Be sure to check out the official video for "Crystalised".

The xx - Crystalised (mp3)

The xx :: "Teardrops" (Womack & Womack Cover) & 2009 North American Tour Dates :: w/ Austin date (Mohawk)

We haven't been able to stop listening to the debut album from London band The xx. It will definitely be on our favorite albums of the year list, and may even end up cracking the top 5. It really is that good! The album is currently on sale at the iTunes store and even includes a bonus cover of Aaliyah's "Hot Like Fire".

We'd like to share a track with you that's not on the album. It's a cover of the 1988 song "Teardrops" by Womack & Womack (listen to the original version here), which also appeared on Elton John's Duets album in 1993 (he sang it with K.D. Lang).



[The xx Myspace]
[The xx Official Site]

The xx 2009 North American Tour Dates: (Updated)
10/22 - New York, NY @ Apple Store (SoHo/103 Prince St.)
10/23 - New York, NY @ Music Hall of Williamsburg #
11/11 - New York, NY @ Bowery Ballroom
11/13 - Philadelphia, PA @ Making Time at Pure
11/15 - Washington, DC @ DC9
11/16 - Chapel Hill, NC @ Local 506
11/17 - Atlanta, GA @ 529
11/19 - Austin, TX @ Mohawk (outside) [Purchase Tickets] $10 *
11/20 - San Diego, CA @ Casbah *
11/21 - Los Angeles, CA @ Henry Fonda Theater *
11/23 - San Francisco, CA @ The Independent *
11/24 - Sacramento, CA @ Sacramento State University *
11/25 - Portland, OR @ Doug Fir *
11/26 - Vancouver, BC @ Richards On Richards *
11/27 - Seattle, WA @ Neumos *
11/30 - Minneapolis, MN @ Triple Rock *
12/01 - Chicago, IL @ Bottom Lounge *
12/02 - Toronto, ON @ Phoenix Concert Theatre *
12/03 - Montreal, QC @ Les National *
12/04 - Boston, MA @ Paradise *
12/05 - New York, NY @ Webster Hall *

# w/ School of Seven Bells
* w/ Friendly Fires

Previously:

• The xx | "Basic Space" video & debut album details
• New music from The xx & video for "Crystalised"
  

New Video from The xx :: "Basic Space" | Debut Album Details

The first time and the last time we checked in with The xx was back at the end of the April when they first graced our ears with "Crystalised". Now the foursome has released a new video for their song "Basic Space". The single is limited to only 500 vinyl copies and can be purchased through Young Turks for £3.00. Enjoy the video down below. (via)

The xx's self-titled debut drops in the U.K. (pre-order it here) on 08/17 and will also be released as an expensive import as of 8/18 here in the states.

The xx Tracklisting:

1. Intro
2. VCR
3. Crystalised
4. Islands
5. Heart Skips A Beat
6. Fantasy
7. Shelter
8. Basic Space
9. Infinity
10. Night Time
11. Stars

[The xx Myspace]
[The xx Official Site]

New Music from The xx & Video for "Crystalised"

We've been digging The xx (pronounced "ex ex") since stumbling upon their video "Crystalised" on The Fader earlier (they also have an interview with the band too). Although the video is pretty lackluster, as it just features the band leaning against a wall playing their instruments with projections going across their faces and behind them, the song on the other hand is very entrancing. The music is simple, yet works with the guy and girl vocals just right.

The band are four 19 year olds (Baria, Jamie, Oliver, and Romy) from South West London. They list their influences (according to their Myspace) as Aaliyah to CocoRosie, Rihanna to The Cure, Missy Elliott to Chromatics, The Kills to Ginuwine, Pixies to Mariah Carey and Justin Timberlake to Tracy + the plastics. Their first single "Crystalised" was just released a few days back on Young Turks and the b-side includes a cover of Aaliyah's "Hot Like Fire" (purchase it here). The foursome are currently working on a full-length due out in September.

The xx - Stars (bedroom demo)(mp3)
The xx - VCR (bedroom demo)(mp3)

[The xx Myspace]
[The xx Official Site]