The xx - Crystalised · Song Exploder summary

Key takeaways

The xx’s formation was rooted in long-standing friendship from childhood, emphasizing the importance of genuine connections in creative collaborations.
The creation of 'Crystalised' was driven by resourcefulness, limitations, and a desire to preserve a raw, authentic sound that could be performed live.
Self-production allowed the band to maintain control over their sound and emotional expression, emphasizing the importance of authenticity in music.
Vocal layering and emotional storytelling are key components of 'Crystalised,' reflecting the complex dynamics of relationships and personal growth.
Reconnecting with early work offers valuable insights into artistic evolution and the enduring significance of shared history in creative pursuits.

Summary

The Origins of The xx and Their Early Friendship

This section explores the foundation of The xx, formed in 2005 when the members Romy Croft, Oliver Sim, and Jamie xx were still in high school. Romy and Oliver met in nursery school, while Jamie met the other two at age 11 on their first day of school. Their shared interests, like skateboarding and discovering music through skate videos, fostered a deep connection. Their family's musical backgrounds, such as Romy's uncles who were DJs, influenced their musical development. Initially, they pursued individual musical projects and only later started collaborating, driven by a shared love of music and a desire to perform live.

Creation of 'Crystalised' and Musical Process

This section discusses how the song 'Crystalised' was created, beginning from early demos—initially just Romy and Oliver playing acoustic guitars—recorded in unconventional ways like using Photo Booth. The songwriting process was personal, involving sharing lyrics that were poetic and reflective of their feelings and experiences. Due to limitations with their instruments and resources, they developed a pared-down, raw sound that prioritized what they could perform live, influencing the minimalist style of the song. The production involved experimenting with electronic tools like the NPC and working within constraints, which shaped their signature sound.

Recording and Production Challenges

Here, the conversation details their experiences with trying different producers for 'Crystalised,' including Diplo and Lex, but ultimately preferring the demo’s authentic sound. The band’s inexperience and desire to maintain their original feel meant they leaned towards self-production. With access to a studio and engineer Rodin McDonald, Jamie took the opportunity to produce, focusing on making electronic production sound organic. His efforts involved meticulous work to make electronic drums feel live, with an emphasis on subtle variations to mimic human play, capturing the raw, emotive quality they wanted.

Vocal Performance and Song Dynamics

This section covers how Romy and Oliver recorded their vocals separately and together, experimenting with live singing and multiple takes. They describe the recording of layered vocals at different points in the song, including the contrasting emotional states of the characters in the lyrics. The discussion highlights the emotional complexity and the narrative of love, vulnerability, and intimacy reflected in the song’s structure. It also touches on their personal growth since recording as teenagers and how their voices and perspectives have evolved over the years.

Reflections on Growth and Connection

In this final section, Romy and Oliver reflect on their journey from adolescence to adulthood as musicians and friends. They express nostalgia for the early days of making 'Crystalised' and appreciation for reconnecting with their past work. The conversation emphasizes how the song and the album serve as a window into their emotional and relational development. They discuss their ongoing efforts to reconnect with their youthful naiveté and learn from their early creative decisions, as they now work on new projects. The song remains a meaningful marker of their shared history and evolving musical identities.

Show notes

The xx formed in 2005, when they were still in high school. They signed to the UK label Young, and put out their first album in 2009. It won the prestigious Mercury Prize, and was named one of the best albums of the year by Rolling Stone, Pitchfork and more. Since then, the Guardian has named it one of the best albums of the 21st century. This year, the three band members, Romy Croft, Oliver Sim, and Jamie xx played together as The xx for the first time in 8 years. I spoke to them in between the weekends at Coachella, where they were opening their sets with the song “Crystalised.” It’s the first song they ever released, back in April 2009, when the lineup also included Baria Qureshi on guitar. I spoke to Romy, Jamie and Oliver, here at my studio, about how they first found each other, and how they made “Crystalised.”

For more info, visit songexploder.net/the-xx.

The xx - Crystalised