The music of the American duo Xiu Xiu can be described as an experimental mix of industrial and electropop, in which unusual rhythms and disturbed melodies reign supreme. On this album the same bitter elements are present and the band focuses on a melancholic and sultry atmosphere. OH NO is a record of contradictions that stem from Jamie Stewart's mental health. On the one hand it's about long term
… friendships and relationships that are broken because of betrayal, on the other hand it's about outside help that makes dark periods bearable. That's why a guest artist joins in on each of the fifteen songs. Sharon van Etten, Drab Majesty, Liars and Shearwater, among others, duet with the illustrious duo - all artists who have influenced Stewart personally or musically. Fragments of punk, new-wave and industrial give shape to a feverish dream, while the vocals provide a softer counterbalance. This way the whole album is balanced between two contrasting states of mind. (JvQ)more
