Music Recommendations from Romy of the XX

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The XX were in the studio today recording a live session that we’ll air closer to the release date of their new album “Coexist” in September.

Fans of the band will not be disappointed by the new material and, while we wait for the air date, you can check out their first single “Angels” and some bands that Romy Madley-Croft herself recommends. (The XX consists of Romy, Oliver Sim, and Jaime Smith).

Not surprisingly, all three feature strong female voices and killer beats.

1) The Chromatics

Romy says a friend of hers gave her an album by The Chromatics while the XX were putting together their first full length and it was a big influence on her. The Portland band had been punk before their 2007 album “Night Drive”, which went electro and featured singer Ruth Radelet and multi-instrumentalist Johnny Jewel. Check out a single from The Chromatics new album – I expect it will be love at first listen for XX fans, as you can hear some similarities. (Download “Kill for Love” here)

CHROMATICS / KILL FOR LOVE (Single) by JOHNNY JEWEL

2) Grimes

From Montreal’s underground electronic scene, Grimes (aka Claire Boucher) has been making her way into the mainstream this year and it’s not surprising to hear Romy mention her among her favorite new bands of the moment. Her album Visions, her first for label 4AD, is one of the best electro-pop albums out this year. (Download “Oblivion” here)

Grimes, “Oblivion” by selftitledmag

3) 2:54

2:54 as some “girls from London that I know”. The sister duo —Colette and Hannah Thurlow –signed to U.S. label Fat Possum this year. Here is a description from the label’s site that pretty much sums up their sound perfectly:Occupying a low-lit, vivid space, they unite a distinct concoction of ideas and influences that taps a rock and punk lineage notoriously anchored by the likes of Queens of the Stone Age and Kyuss. However, their sound neatly neighbours the darker, atmospheric reaches of today’s R’n’B finest, as well as timeless walls of sound.” Check it out

2:54 – Creeping by 2:54 Band

RR