Released September 10, The xx’s second album Coexist provides its audience with a strikingly unforgettable listening experience, accentuating the raw minimalism that first appeared in the band’s self-titled debut.

The highlight of the London trio’s second record lies within the production by Jamie Smith, who seems to have methodically refined the intricacy behind every song.

Ranging among alluring melodies, resonating percussion, and haunting notes, The xx creates an atmospheric tone that embodies and exponentially amplifies the best features of their previous record.

At first listen, the album appears to be nothing more than a faint echo of xx, the band’s first album. However, as the Long Play Record (LP) develops, its delicate craftsmanship is unearthed. The music entrances its listeners with its subdued nature, submerging them within the world of Romy Croft and Oliver Sim’s gentle voices. The beautiful undertones composed by Smith tremendously enhance this experience. Each song’s captivating yet simple chords draw audiences in intensely, as the singers are able to align their vocals flawlessly to both each other and the elaborate melodies behind them.

In fact, these three components grow to be so harmonious that they nearly mask the constant repetition of lyrics prevalent throughout the album. Coexist pales in comparison to the writing diversity of the band’s first record, in which multiple subjects are approached rather than a single consistent theme of dissolving relationships.

However, the repeated lyrics in fact contribute to the album artistically, simulating the manner in which a single thought often occupies, and even plagues, the mind. It enhances the minimalism as songs become more focused on portraying a specific concept. It is apparent that The xx delved further within themselves as they wrote for this record; although the lyrics are not gloriously eloquent or symbolic, they are real, unprocessed, and above all allow the listener to easily connect to the sentiments depicted.

Such is the case of Coexist’s first single “Angels,” in which Croft conveys her thoughts in soft vocals, singing “they would be as in love with you as I am,” countless times on the track. Other highlights of the album include tracks “Missing” and “Tides,” both of which possess a tremendous complexity in structure.

Simply put, Coexist is intoxicating, both to previously avid fans and newcomers. The manner in which the band’s music retreats within itself, yet manages to produce an even fuller sound is nothing short of exceptional.