If you are like me, you straight BORED of every song from The xx’s 2009 album being remixed by anyone and everyone. Granted, the album IS great and all, but it’s to the point that it’s so over-played I almost cringe when upon hearing it. I was skeptical, possibly even annoyed, when Jamie xx (of The xx) came out with his remix of “Basic Space” last year, but the first few notes drew me in faster than Yogi Bear to a picnic basket.
A horn starts off the track, as if to warn of impending and absolute doom. Low viscosity masses of bass effortlessly march forward stratified under a confident melody, Jamie xx spindling Romy Madley Croft’s moaning cries over foggy instrumentals. The xx’s musical poetry chimes in and out, dropping off in tune with the methodically slow beats almost to nothingness, like the edge of a harrowing cliff.
Quite possibly the most ingenious part is pretty rudimentary. For those who are intimate with the lyrics of the original, expectations are that Romy will utter “basic space,” but boom!, listeners, you are fooled. Jamie xx slices up the word basic to yield an elongated, impassioned “bassssssss.” Absolute genius, and my favorite facet of this track. The entire thing is composed of simple ingredients, each on its own might be unimpressive. The conglomerate, however, is just astounding; oozing cool and sex appeal with every note, this is a remix for the ages.
For more from Jamie xx, check out his awesome Essential Mix from earlier this year here.