After the success of The xx’s self-titled debut, the release of their second album was highly anticipated by fans worldwide. Coexist’s ethereal tracks do not disappoint. By intertwining electric and bass guitar with subtle percussion, the instrumentals weave an entrancing backdrop for the voices of Oliver Sim and Romy Madley-Croft as they sing of heartbreak and sorrow. Like the band’s previous album, Coexist’s use of minimalist song structure makes for a stunningly intimate experience. Its first track, “Angels,” is enough to tug on anyone’s heartstrings; the combination of Sim’s silky voice and painfully honest lyrics make for a touching opening to the story that unfolds throughout the rest of the album. With tracks like “Fiction,” a tribute to lovers lost, and “Swept Away,” the simplest but most powerful song on the album, Coexist writes a brokenhearted love letter in a form and style that cannot be forgotten.
