It’s the truth that a lot of us human beings don’t know who we are or where we’re going. But it’s fact that every second we spend obsessing over the unknown is time wasted. Time evaporates into thin air during the Indian summers of this generation. To some, it’s terrifying. To others, it’s freeing. Whether we deny the fact time is slipping away from us or not, we must always make some for ourselves. But it wasn’t until a late night by myself, when I heard the lyrics ” And the end is unknown, But I think I’m ready, As long as you’re with me Being As in love with you as I am” that time stopped completely(Angels/Coexist).

I didn’t know this indie-pop band, The Xx, could literally stop all thoughts and time with one simple line of lyrics. From the song “Angels”, time ceased and I knew I had to learn more about this band and the album it came from. I didn’t know it was 3 a.m. and I didn’t realize until an hour later that I had repeated the song about twenty times. Time evaporated once again, but I clearly didn’t care. This song reminded me of the love I once had for him. Him. The first man I ever fell in love with. “There’s no one that knows me like you do.” (Our Song/Coexist). The first man I ever let break my heart. “I ask you would you have stayed? Did I hold you too tight? Did I not let enough light in?” (Chained/Coexist).

The album hit me hard. It made me questions why things ended why they did, and why I wasn’t good enough. But it was beautiful, and the songs told a personal story for me. It reminded me of the summer I rebuilt myself back up again. It reminded me of how terrifying time can be. How I didn’t know who I was without him, and how I had to build myself back up as a new person. It showed me how strong and important music is and how healing it can be in the process of building strength. It also showed me that looking back on memories is a healthy thing. That obsessing over the unknown is time wasted and we must always make time for ourselves with The Xx and Coexist.

-Courtney