The Album Cycle: New releases reviewed from The xx, The Flaming Lips, Brian Eno and more

Every Friday, ‘The Album Cycle’ reviews a handful of new releases. ALBUM OF THE WEEK The xx – I See You With four years and a solo project passing since the last communique from skeletal suburban R&B trio The xx, the roll-out of third full-length album I See You has been surprisingly light on fanfare – … Read more

‘We opened windows and let some light in’: The xx’s Romy Madley Croft on their new album

Stevie Kaye talks to The xx’s Romy Madley Croft about soft-rock, songwriting camps, and the band’s progression on their new album. Today, UK trio The xx are releasing their new album I See You into a very different world than that of their 2009 self-titled debut. And it’s a world they’ve helped change. The sparse, … Read more

Best Songs Ever: New singles reviewed, featuring Grouper, Ed Sheeran, The xx & more

‘Best Songs Ever’ features various contributors to The Spinoff Music assessing recent songs and singles. Song of the Week Grouper – ‘Headache’ In case you missed it: Paradise Valley, a new Grouper 7″ released just before Christmas, is everything you might hope it would be. ‘Headache’ is the longer of the two tracks, and stands … Read more

Best Songs Ever: New singles reviewed, featuring The xx, Alicia Keys, Kevin Abstract, Shia LeBeouf & more

‘Best Songs Ever’ features various contributors to The Spinoff Music assessing recent songs and singles. SONG OF THE WEEK The xx – ‘On Hold’ The first xx album pre-dated the likes of Miguel and Drake, but its melancholy and longing and preference for a pulse over a beat make it seem of a piece with … Read more