The xx turn Chained into the kind of song that grabs you on first listen and refuses to let go. Sleek, shadowy, and instantly memorable, it sounds like a secret finally getting airplay.
A clipped bass line, glacial drums, and those close-mic’d vocals lock together with almost no wasted motion. Every note feels polished, but the gaps matter just as much, letting the reverb hang in the room like smoke.
Late-night drives and office headphones both suit it, especially when the city starts glowing and the crowd noise drops away. Few tracks feel this cool without trying too hard.
