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| The xx Title: TBA | Release Date: Spring |
A critical and commercial sleeper smash, the xx's 2009 self-titled debut was an unexpected delight. Released on Young Turks/XL Recordings, the electronica-flavored alt-rock album, which was a fixture in the upper reaches of the Billboard 200 for 35 weeks, landed the British three-piece the coveted 2010 Barclaycard Mercury Prize. Band member Jamie xx --real name Jamie Smith -- has since established himself as an in-demand DJ and producer, remixing Adele, Florence & the Machine and Radiohead, and winning plaudits for his Gil Scott-Heron remix album We're New Here (XL).
Work on the xx's as-yet-untitled sophomore set began in November with Smith recently telling the Creators Project blog that he was aiming to have the record out in time for the summer festival season. "We've all come back off tour and [have] kind of been partying a little bit more," the 23-year-old said, adding that, as a result, "club music has definitely had an influence on the next record." The band uploaded a demo recording of a mellow new song, "Open Eyes," to its website in December. Its live return is scheduled for Barcelona's Primavera Sound Festival (May 30-June 3), with further European and international touring expected throughout the summer and fall.
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