Chicago's Houses are essentially a musically interesting version of the XX
Like the XX, they feature two vocalists (one male, one female), instruments overloaded with reverb and simple drum machine patterns. These similarities combine to create songs in a similar vein to the Mercury-winners' apparently unique brand of stripped back chill-pop.
But Houses are definitely better than the XX. Their morceaux have a fuller sound. Everything is there. There are no moments in their music when you think "Oh, that could have done with a bit more of the synthesized cowbell" or "the end was a bit EMPTY". Houses rule. The XX drool. There I said it. I just had a go at everyone's favourite band.
Houses - Soak It Up by Le CD est mort
