LivingEars

(photo via crxshing)

Last Friday on BBC1 Annie Mac debuted a new mini-mix curated by Jamie from The xx. I’ve posted a couple of these mini-mixes here before, it’s kind of bewildering how someone can cram 20 tracks (tracklist in comments) into a 5 minute mix but that’s what these are about and the results here are pretty great.

Jamie xx Mini Mix for Annie Mac

Due to the amount of well-done but low bitrate remixes making the rounds lately rumors have started swirling about a remix album featuring The xx. There is also supposedly a remix album from The xx in the works. The group is taking on Gil Scott-Heron’s latest, I’m New Here.

So maybe we are slowly piecing this thing together…

The xx – Islands (Nosaj Thing Remix)
The xx – Islands (FaltyDL Remix)
The xx – VCR (Matthew Dear Remix)

One of the most interesting and best things I’ve heard all year just came to me a week ago. The xx have created one of the most understated, beautiful and totally moving albums I have heard in a long time.

The debut single from the band, “Crystalised” has received copious amounts of press from NPR, Guardian, the nme and many others. Crystalised is an album highlight along with VCR, Shelter, Infinity… basically of the first 7 tracks only “Islands” is a bit of a lull and even it is good.

The xx – Crystalised

I can guarantee this album will be on my, and many of my blog-brethern’s, best of year lists. This is an album that is near impeccable, beginning to end. The one misstep for me is Basic Space which unfortunately is being released as the second single. The song does nothing for me, I hope others do not feel this way because it’s really not a good entree to The xx. Since it’s a single you can count on many remixes…

The xx – Basic Space
The xx – Basic Space (M.A.T.H.E.S Remix) (aka Micachu)
The xx – Basic Space (Pariah Remix)

The U.K.’s FACT Magazine (go there for the tracklisting) commissioned the group to curate the latest edition of their mix series. This 30 minute set showcases some really great artists and provides a little window into The xx’s influences and contemporaries.

The xx – FACT Mix 70

After a pretty cool mention (I’m a beacoup blogger) on Pitchfork yesterday –and the fact that their download doesn’t work– I figured it a good time to post a little more on The xx.
First the new remix done by the band’s own Jamie xx:
The xx – Space Bass (Jamie xx’s remix of The xx)

Also, A couple of demos I found this morning on Pinglewood.
The xx – VCR (Demo)
The xx – Stars (Demo)
The xx – Teardrops (Demo)

VCR is the track I played on last week’s Scene Not Heard. It’s one of my faves. Teardrops didn’t make the album but it is still essential. And Stars closes the album. If you like these track I recommend their Hot Like Fire 7″ which includes an Aaliyah cover.

These two gems are literally brand new, both landed in the inbox this morning and both are worthy. I like the “What Kind of Breeze Do You Blow” remix but the last minute or so does drag the thing down overall.

Eliza Doolittle gets remixed by The xx’s own Jamie. Doolittle is new to me but The Sun UK was onto her back in late December.

The xx – Night Time (What Kind of Breeze Do You Blow Extended Edit)
Eliza Doolittle – MoneyBox (Jamie xx Remix)