"xx" is the debut album by the English indie pop outfit, the xx. Dropping on August 14, 2009, under Young Turks, an imprint label of XL Recordings, the album took shape from December 2008 to February 2009, within the confines of the label's in-house studio in London. Steering the production, Jamie Smith of the xx fashioned electronic beats for the tracks using his laptop, meticulously crafting them alongside audio engineer Rodaidh McDonald. Their objective was to encapsulate the intimate, unadorned essence of the band's original demos through a painstaking mixing process.
 
 
Upon its release, xx garnered widespread acclaim, earning recognition as one of the standout records of 2009. Critics praised the band's atmospheric blend of indie rock and pop, highlighting the interpersonal depth conveyed through their performances. While initially flying under the radar of major media outlets and without any breakout singles, xx steadily gained traction over the years, evolving into a sleeper hit in both the United Kingdom and the United States. Eventually, it reached the milestone of one million copies sold. The album's increased exposure came through the licensing of its songs to television programs and the band's noteworthy Mercury Prize win in 2010. It has also been featured in Top Album lists by The Rolling Stone, NME and The Guardian.