The Grammy Award for Best Use of a Hall & Oates Sample goes to… British synthpoppers the XX. “On Hold” floats the idea of singers Romy Madley Croft and Oliver Sim as busted lovers stuck in a distant orbit around a wonderfully malfunctioning snippet of “I Can’t Go for That (No Can Do).” The song was produced by band member Jamie XX as well as frequent collaborator Rodaidh McDonald. Vocals are sung back-and-forth between Romy Madley Croft and Oliver Sim.
“On Hold” is a song by English indie pop band the XX. It was released on 10th November 2016 as the lead single from their third studio album, I See You (2017).
By all accounts, this third album by The xx was a make or break point for the band. After two acclaimed and brilliant albums of electronically-fueled downer pop, producer Jamie XX, bassist/vocalist Oliver Sim and guitarist/vocalist Romy Croft were unsure how to continue or, at times, even if they should. But through a healthy amount of trial and error, the trio emerged with their strongest statement yet.
Released by Young Turks; “I See You” is a welcomed return from the acclaimed trio. Not quite as insular and closed as on previous album: some of the most rousing, revealing and emotive music of the xx’s careers. Coexist was the last album (2012) and, in the ensuing five years, a lot has changed in that time. The xx, on I See You, are more expansive and colourful than previous records, perhaps influenced by member Jamie’s L.P., In Colour.
Not as shy and mournful as their first two albums; this is the xx at their evolving best; taking what they created before and adding new dimensions and layers. Brave for You is one of the most breathless and tender tracks they have created; On Hold that empathic lead single. Fans of their early work might take some adjustment getting used to the xx 2.0 – it is a welcomed shift from a unit that was in danger of being lost in a sea of like-minded copycats. By changing their game whilst remaining, pleasingly, the same they have shown there is plenty more gas in the tank. Whether they will be releasing another album shortly or not; do not bet against the trio creating another huge smash. An album already lauded and affirmed by critics: future single releases (from I See You) will get the album into new hands and to fresh ears.
The XX is back with new music, and it feels like this wonderfully languid band may have just received a shot of adrenaline.
The London band’s new song is called “On Hold.” It features the familiar, hushed back-and-forth singing between old friends Romy Madly Croft and Oliver Sim, but producer Jamie Smith, a.k.a. Jamie xx, has lifted the band’s black veil and embraced a brighter, friendlier pop sound. See You arrives roughly five years after the xx’s previous LP, Coexist, a Top Five success on either side of the Atlantic. A press release announcing the new album promises “a new era” for the band, “both sonically and in terms of process” — an evolution partly spurred by their decision to record in a variety of locations around the globe over a two-year span. The end result is described as the xx at “their boldest yet, performing with more clarity and ambition than ever before.”
The even better news here is that the song is just a peek at its first album in more than four years. I See You will include “On Hold” and nine more songs, will be released on January 13th via Young Turks. It was recorded earlier this year in London, New York, Los Angeles, Reykjavik and Marfa, Texas.
The Fat Angel Sings 