The xx's Oliver Sim Shares Debut Solo Single

The Jamie xx-produced "Romance with a Memory" comes attached to a goofy, horror movie-inspired video

BY Kaelen BellPublished Mar 10, 2022

Oliver Sim—bassist and vocalist for the xx— has shared his debut solo single "Romance with a Memory." The Jamie xx-produced song comes attached to a lo-fi lyric video featuring some wild, horror-inspired drag (including that of Toronto's own Yovska). 

In a statement about the song, Sim said:

I'm thrilled, excited, ecstatic, over-caffeinated and overjoyed to be sharing "Romance with a Memory" with you all. Terrifyingly, this is the first song I've ever released under my own name, I really hope you all enjoy it. Produced by my dear older brother Jamie xx. I've also made a compilation of some of my favourite monsters, killers and queers getting down. I hope both the music and monsters make you feel as happy as they make me—I cannot tell you how much joy it brings me to watch a ghoul having a good time. 

P.S. still very much in a loving and happy relationship/band with Romy and Jamie.

The song is a spooky pitch-shifted groove, and while it shares some of the xx's minimalist throb, it definitely sets Sim's solo work apart from his work with Romy Madley Croft — who released her own debut solo single "Lifetime" back in 2020. 

"Romance with a Memory" first debuted on the xx's recently-announced Interludes Radio, the monthly radio series for Apple Music hosted by all three members of the band. 

Check out "Romance with a Memory" below. 

Tour Dates

Latest Coverage