Song of the Day: any track by the xx

The trouble with choosing a song of the day is narrowing down the choices to just one. And, sometimes, that's just impossible. For instance, with London-based duo the xx, how do I pick one song as better than the rest when I'm equally obsessed with the three tracks I have on my iPod? So I guess today is more of a "Band of the Day" and I hope everyone can get behind that. Not that it matters because I make the rules and can therefore thrash them.

So. the xx. Let's not get started on how their April show at the Varsity is sold out and tickets on stubhub are being offered at ridiculous, Decemberists-level prices. I'm over it. I'm not but I"m trying to be.

I'm making the trek to SXSW to see them (probs). If I think that way, I really can be over it.

The xx sort of exploded onto the scene last year and, while I recognize my tardiness to their indie-world domination party, I'd like to offer up the excuse that I WAS IN AFRICA. So, now that every other music-obsessive has had their turn to gush about the xx, it's my turn to slobber all over their slow-simmering, sexy beats.

"Heart Skipped a Beat" is a person favorite of mine because I'm a sucker for the lyrics and the juxtaposition between R&B drum machine and indie guitars. Seriously:

Please don't say we're done

when I'm not finished

I could give so much more

I like to point out to people that relationships are inherently unequal; someone always loves the slightest bit more, the tiniest bit better. And what happens to that person when it's all over? Where does that unfinished love go? Apparently into this verse, repeated 7 times:

Sometimes, I still need you.

And it's the way they sing it to each other, her voice so emotive and gorgeous--his, so flat and complementary: the perfect parry between lovers.

Heart skipped a beat

and when I caught it you were out of reach

but I'm sure, I'm sure

you've heard it before

The xx never spoke truer words than those. And, to better serve that point, the duo repeats those verses 4 times. What a sentiment, right? Falling for someone, experiencing the slightest of delays as your body adjusts to the sensation, missing said person by inches, days, what have you. Damn it's good. This song is actually too good.

Then you've got "Crystallized", which starts out with such an ace riff. It's like, I alternately want to play air guitar and seduce someone.

What is that???? I"ll tell you what it is: Sex. Let's be honest, her voice is like an orgasm in this song, seriously. The only thing sexier is Karen O. And the lyrics? Don't get me started.

You applyin' pressure

to help me crystalise

and you've got the faith

that I could bring paradise

I'll forgive and forget

before I'm paralysed

Do I have to keep up the pace

to keep you satisfied?

Um. I don't think it takes a huge stretch of the imagination to guess who's applying pressure and where and what's happening between these two. But, you know, if you're not convinced:

I've been down on my knees

and you just keep on getting closer

Then you've got the pas de deux at the end, with the vocals overlapping while the duo sings complementary lyrics. This is good stuff; in fact, this is great stuff. When I tell you I'm in love with the xx, I really really mean it.

Just for kicks, I'm throwing in their bomb remix of Florence + the Machine's "You've Got the Love"--I think it's great when remixes are even better than the originals. There's pretty much nothing this band can't do. Google them and amuse yourself with the various ways in which music bloggers fall over themselves to praise their fucking brilliant sound.