At one point, The xx suggested they might not record a follow-up to 2009’s xx, their award-winning debut, causing angst amongst a certain subset of music fans. But the English indie trio eventually saw fit to reverse any reticence and commenced recording their sophomore album last November.

On September 11, The xx will release the results, which they’ve named Coexist. Yesterday, the album’s opener and first single, “Angels,” reached ears, quickly followed by much rejoicing. And with good reason. Just as those who work in print mediums understand the power of white space, “Angels” shows The xx are still masters of delivering its musical equivalent — framing Romy Madley Croft’s voice with only the sparest of instrumentation:

Here’s the tracklisting for Coexist:

01 Angels
02 Chained
03 Fiction
04 Try
05 Reunion
06 Sunset
07 Missing
08 Tides
09 Unfold
10 Swept Away
11 Our Song

Purchase The xx – “Angels” via iTunes.