Album Review: The xx - I See You

It's been four long years since the London trio's last album and their latest seemingly shrugs off the cloud of drifting, subdued dreaminess associated with their previous work.

All the familiar elements of their music are there, but The xx sound brighter than ever before. The trio embrace sweetly joyous tones as their brand of minimalism is jettisoned for a more maximal approach even though Oliver Sim and Romy Madley Croft are often singing introspective lyrics about the bittersweet sensations associated with love and relationships. Their breathy vocals intertwine to sensuous effect.

The mood isn't subdued. Much of this album embraces Jamie xx's dance beats and suggests that the outfit are in the mood to hit the dancefloor. When the arrangements aren't simply electronic, the outfit add plenty of orchestral detail to the mix. Dangerous, with its tight fanfare of horns, bumps along to solid house beats. The romantic thrill of Say Something Loving deals a carefree falling-in-love vibe that feels like cloudless blue skies. The gentle sway of strings and moody electric guitar support the drama of Performance, which highlights the vulnerability and intensity of emotion that The xx work into their music.

The xx come at us with a fresh new sound but, more than ever, their music has less to do with chromosomes and delivers two gentle kisses onto listeners' cheeks.