Heart Skipped a Beat

And when I caught it, you were out of reach.

The XX - S/t

I didn't want to be associated with this record after P4K championed it about a year ago. I'm holier than thou, hipster.
Well, let it also be known that I'm a moron. Despite my idealistic nature of hating everything that is popular (if its cool, noone would appreciate it while its socially relevant am I right?!).

This has everything I want out of a record. Love songs, including songs about lost love. Synths. The songs are just that, songs. They're whole units that move along keeping the passion and feeling together.

On the track VCR, we step back to a time where we can represent ourselves as legitimately innocent and trust. The reverb drenched guitar recalls the innocence of the pop evolution of yesteryear, and the lyrics " Watch things on VCRs, with me and talk about big love. I think we're superstars, you say you think we are the best thing" show an idealistic view of love. Two people together, watching a VHS tape, and talking about love, and whispering sweet nothings to each other.

While tracks like "Stars" (the closer I may add) or "Heart Skipped a Beat" there is a feeling of self-doubt. In "Stars" the narrator is willing to change himself, to fit the needs of his love, yet his lover wants him to be the same. Yet, begrudgingly, they're willing to admit that their "love" may night "shine on the first night", and they're willing to let their romance blossom and give it time. They want each other, and they want to tell each other, but they're singing alone, together. These narratives are backed by a hollow, reverb drenched guitar, a tinny piano, and a kick drum. This emptiness in music shows the emptiness in their hearts.

Please don't say we're done, when I'm not finished. I could give so much more. Make you feel, like never before. Welcome, they said welcome to the floor."

"It's been a while, and you've found someone better. But I've been waiting too long to give this up. The more I see, I understand. But sometimes, I still need you"

Kicking off with those two stanzas "Heart Skipped a Beat" tells the tale of time killing all. A relationship snubbed by indecision and discretion. One person into it, and one out. The person into it is forced to leave, yet is later chased by the former soul that left him waiting. The song is structured like "Stars" in the sense that it is two individuals giving their narratives, separately, but to each others.

Islands. Need I say more? This track was everywhere a year ago, I won't regurgitate the words of p4k. Not now. Not neva' (I love pavement too guys, don't take it as a personal knock.)

I know I'm about a year late in this review, but I also know that this record 'shines on the winter frost, of your love's windows'. 8.5/10

Also please note, I'm good at making bad sayings.