Romy: The Dance-Pop Voice of The xx

Romy is an English singer, songwriter, and guitarist best known as a core member of the Mercury Prize-winning indie electronic trio The xx. Her solo work carves out a distinct space in the dance-pop and electronic genres, focusing on euphoric, club-inspired anthems that explore themes of love, identity, and queer joy.

Early Career

Born Romy Anna Madley Croft in London, she formed The xx with fellow classmates Oliver Sim and Jamie xx in 2005. The band's minimalist, emotionally resonant sound, built on the interplay between Croft's and Sim's vocals and sparse guitar lines, led to their breakthrough with the 2009 debut album xx. This album was a critical and commercial success, winning the 2010 Mercury Prize and establishing Romy's signature ethereal vocal style within the indie electronic landscape.

Breakthrough

While The xx continued to release albums and tour globally, Romy began exploring solo material that diverged from the band's introspective style. Her official solo breakthrough came in the 2020s with a series of singles that embraced classic house and trance influences. This new direction culminated in her debut solo album, Mid Air, released in 2023 via Young, which received widespread critical acclaim for its heartfelt and celebratory approach to dance music.

Key Tracks

Lifetime - This 2020 single marked Romy's definitive solo turn, a soaring house track produced with Fred again.. that became an instant queer anthem.

Strong - A collaboration with Fred again.. and HAAi, this track further cemented her move into emotive, high-energy dance music.

Enjoy Your Life - A central single from her debut album, it samples Beverly Glenn-Copeland and embodies her philosophy of finding joy and release on the dancefloor.

Loveher - A deeply personal track from Mid Air that chronicles her experiences in a queer relationship with a direct and affecting lyrical style.

The Sea - This earlier solo offering showcases a more downtempo, reflective side while maintaining her focus on melodic electronic production.

Romy's solo work is characterized by collaborations with prominent electronic producers like Fred again.., Stuart Price, and Avalon Emerson. Her music retains the emotional intimacy of her work with The xx but channels it into expansive, beat-driven productions designed for communal celebration.

Fans of Romy's blend of heartfelt songwriting and club-ready electronics may also enjoy the work of fellow UK artists like Jamie xx, whose solo work explores similar intersections of emotion and dance music. The atmospheric pop of Jessie Ware shares a sophisticated, disco-inflected approach. For another perspective on indie-electronics, explore Caribou, and the textured sounds of Four Tet offer a complementary instrumental depth.

Romy's music, both with The xx and as a solo artist, is a staple on modern electronic and alternative radio stations, fitting seamlessly into playlists that bridge indie sensibility with dance-floor energy.

Listeners can explore the evocative electronic and dance-pop sound of Romy through the radio stations featured here, discovering the journey from the intimate spaces of The xx to the vibrant, open-hearted solo anthems she creates today.