The xx - "Basic Space"

2009 is approaching its completion and who would have thought that one of the year's finer releases would come from a group of twenty year old art students? Well, not such a farfetched idea but what about them also being British? Ok, also not a reach but moving on. The xx released a simplistic album (ingeniously it is self-titled) of beauty that excels on a number of levels; it has the ability to be both catchy and chill, the lyrics are straightforward enough that a casual listener can't help but focus in on them, and even though songs are (somewhat) ripped off (the riff of "VCR" sounds exactly like Glasvegas' "Geraldine") the tunes hit and the album runs the perfect length of time (just under 36 minutes). The video for the second single "Basic Space" is nothing more than the bandmates (including the unfortunately underbite-stricken female singer) trading notes/vocals. It also embodies some groovy psychedelic effects but the real treat is the song itself. Great album from an extremely promising young band.