Many bands nowadays produce one, maybe two, really good songs (these are referred to as the “singles”) and then they go on to fill the rest of their catalogue with obnoxiously mundane carbon copies. But once every blue moon, there will be a band that has a whole entire catalogue of “singles”, where every song is a favorite. These bands are extremely rare, like bloody, gooey filet mignon rare. Once their music graces my ears, I get on my knees and give  thanks to the music gods for giving birth to such amazingness (I am not exaggerating … seriously, his does happen). So ever since I downloaded The XX’s debut self titled album, I’ve been joyously shouting at the skies. I strongly suggest you do the same. The XX are a three-piece band including Romy Croft (vox/guitar), Oliver Sim (vox/bass), and Jamie Smith (percussion/synths). Their sound could easily be traced to indie pop, post-punk, R&B, electronica, and even dubstep influences. Their musicality strongly suggests ages of experience & practice, yet remarkably, each member is in their early twenties!!  Like simple elementary math, each lyric & note that is sung & played can be clearly identified and distinguished by the listener. The breathy vocals perfectly complement plucked guitars and soft yet destructive percussion. Songs like “Crystalised, Infinity, and Shelter” sucker punch you in the gut and ooo it hurts so freakin’ good… I’ve been in an XX induced coma for what seems like forever. I have forgotten what life is like without this band. The XX is a hipster’s dream come true, you WANT to know this band before anyone else does because when they get big (and they will) you want to rub it in everyone’s faces that you, and only you, heard them first. Then you can get a pat so big on the back of your plaid shirt that your Ray Ban readers fly off. But seriously, this band is like a drug; I dare anyone to not get addicted. -teresa