Jamie XX

In Waves – Young

James Thomas Smith (Jamie XX) is one of the best producers/DJs in the world. His work with The XX is classic – sensual beats, outstanding synths, and danceable music. With In Waves, he expands on his electronic dance sounds and teams up with his XX bandmates, Oliver Sim and Romy, in addition to Robyn, The Avalanches, Panda Bear, and Honey Dijon. He mixes beats with layered samples that make you want to groove! It has been 9 years since he released In Colour – you can feel the joy and fun on an album packed with sweat soaked bangers.

Track 4, “Baddy on the Floor,” is the kind of hot dance trip you’d hear in any club night show. It is all glam, funk, house, and club bumping! Track 10, his collaboration with The Avalanches, “All You Children,” has a building beat full of house-music sugar. It is pounding and funky. “Dafodil,” track 5 – which features Kelsey Lu, John Glacier, and Panda Bear – is soulful and is a chill synth song that would make a wonderful after party listen. “Waited All Night,” the reunion of sorts of The XX, flirts with trip hop – but that lasts only as long as the chorus – when the fragmented dance vibes shine, recalling mid 90s Everything But The Girl. Track 2, “Treat Each Other Right,” jams out with a dark edge that echoes The Avalanches as he layers together the vocals and shifts in speed and intensity of the beats. “Breather,” track 9, is haunting – it is 6 minutes of neo-industrial heavy sounds in an anxiety driven beat.

Twelve tight tracks that groove like you’d expect. This is one you pop on and hit repeat.

I like these: 4, 10, 5, 3, 2, 9, 8 and 7. Just a brilliant album… Love them all!

– (h)earwitness