INDUSTRY INFORMATION

Band: The XX

Song: Islands

Genre: Indie pop (sub-genre of indie rock)

Released: October 26, 2009

Re-released February 8, 2010

Type of video: Performance, concept

GENRE CONVENTIONS

Typical conventions of Indie are ultimately ‘individual’, therefore different to the normal/mainstream connotation.

Costume can vary, either they are monochrome and consist of tones, or conversely

many colours.

Trends/fashion are difficult to summarise, as they can consist of many alternatives (which is the typical convention of indie), but stereotypically, indie clothing consists of skinny jeans, combined with shirts and ties (formal clash with informal).

The band is shown usually throughout the video, meaning that most indie videos are performance.

Regarding social class, the majority of indie pop is aimed at students (from 16-26); in terms of Maslow‟s hierarchy of needs, indie pop is aimed at E.

Editing techniques correspond with the pace of the music; slow music pace means slow editing/cuts.

Camera shots consist mainly of close-up and establishing shots; often they aid in displaying focal points or cleverly displaying/disguising links to the lyrics.

Ultimately, the music video displays an obvious link with the lyrics, and allows for audience to interpret the video in their own way.

During the music video, the scenes repeat almost exactly as the previous one was

shot, however slight changes in composition occur each time: this may include number

of actors in shot, lighting, scenario or (in regards to the last scene) major changes in

set (i.e. Slow motion shot, emphasising fire).

Both images are taken from the same shot, the above image displays the opening

shot, and the image below shows the final shot.

During the video, the band is present

entirely (until the final shot); displaying the

performance theme throughout.

The representation of the video is how

relationships work: in this scenario, the

beginning to the end of a relationship is

portrayed.

Lyrics:

I don't have to leave anymore

What I have is right here

Spend my nights and days before

Searching the world for what's right here

Underneath and unexplored

Islands and cities I have looked

Here I saw

Something I couldn't over look

I am yours now

So now I don't ever have to leave

I've been found out

So now I'll never explore

See what I've done

That bridge is on fire

Going back to where I've been

I'm froze by desire

No need to leave

Where would I be

If this were to go under

It's a risk I'd take

I'm froze by desire

As if a choice I'd make

And I am yours now

So now I don't ever have to leave

I've been found out

So now I'll never explore

So now I'll never explore

Analytical:

The two images that are displayed contrast massively: The top image displays a bright, „busy‟ setting, where the characters portrayed

are vast in numbers and fill the screen (generating a positive vibe, which can be linked to the lyrics “I am yours now, so I don‟t ever have

to leave”).

This is compared to the bottom image that displays two remaining characters (we assume these characters are the ones that the song

is describing), surrounded by a dark setting but also by fire: this fire potentially denotes the „destruction‟ of the relationship, and can be

linked with the lyrics “That bridge is on fire, going back to where I‟ve been”. and “so now I'll never explore”.

The video suggests that the characters (the male and females portrayed throughout the entire video – NOT the band members on the

sofa) have discovered that their relationship has a new „flair‟ that they didn‟t recognise before: “I don‟t have to leave anymore...

Something I couldn‟t overlook”. This is portrayed in the video as a bright introduction, with bright lights and numerous characters.

The lyrics “I‟ve been found out, so I‟ll never explore” potentially symbolize that the previous relationship that the two characters shared

were affected by cheating, but one of the two (most likely the male character – represented through his placement in the lower

picture, as the woman idly dances on as if nothing is wrong), despite being previously happy with getting back with the other, is living

out the relationship overtime (the relationship being portrayed as the video) in fear, and as time progresses, so does her feelings, and

he is left with the relationship „destroyed‟ (by fire). The reason for her turning her head away in the video, is representative of her

knowing that she has done wrong (i.e. cheated), and as the video progresses toward the end, he figures out what has happened – this

may have been what happened before they got back together, hence “So now I‟ll never explore”.

Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PElhV8z7I60&hd=1

In reference to Andrew Goodwin‟s theory, point 4 states:

“The demands for the record label will include the need for lots of

close-ups of the artist and the artist may develop motifs

(object, colour, symbol) which recur across their work”

Relative to the video, The XX have generated a motif (or

logo), which is recognisable as a white X (see slideshow

background).

Other interesting motifs that The XX use are the composition of

light, and the presence of band members within the video

(comparing The XX‟s „Islands‟ with another successful video

„Crystallised‟).

A popular, common colour theme of The XX‟s is whites and blacks

that both contrast with a strong alternative colour/light; this light

usually refers to a focal point that the band want the audience to

notice/pay attention to. An easier example of the motifs that The XX

employ is visible on their website: www.thexx.info