It’s now more than five years since The xx released an album, and over a decade since the shy Putney trio were the toast of the British music scene. Their minimal, romantic sound was all over TV and film clips, their debut album won the Mercury Prize, and their ubiquity earned them some huge headlining gigs.
They haven’t split, but are definitely in a solo phase now. Stepping away from the band name sounds like a weight lifted. Producer Jamie Smith didn’t stray too far from the twin crosses, given that he trades as Jamie xx, but his 2015 album In Colour was a bright, brilliant leap towards the dancefloor and he released another euphoric single, Let’s Do It Again, this April. Meanwhile co-frontperson Romy Madley Croft has given her soft vocals to two blissed out recent dance singles, Lifetime and Lights Out.
