The xx say they are “ridiculously sad” that Baria Qureshi has departed the band for good.

In an interview with The Stool Pigeon, Oliver Sim from the band announced that The xx were now a three-piece and cited touring as a major reason for Qureshi's exit.

Sim said: "It's just been a case of, I suppose, growing apart? It's a big jump from 13-years-old to 20. I think we've just grown into different people and I don't believe touring was for her, really."

He continued: "It's been ridiculously sad, but I'm quite looking forward to seeing what spawns from here. For the first time in a long time we sat and worked, jamming in a rehearsal space trying to build up the live set again and have moved a bit further away from the album, after a stage of just reciting it.

"I feel like we're going somewhere else now - being a bit more creative, trying to put on a bit more of a show."

(by Scott Colothan)