The cover for ‘In Waves,’ the second Jamie xx LP.
It’s 2015, and half a decade after crashing into the indie pop scene as a member of The XX, Jamie xx strikes out on his own (his newly adopted stage moniker carrying over some of the band’s goodwill.” In Colour, the resulting LP, now remains one of the defining projects of mid-2010s electronic music, a status that’s loomed large over ensuing material for both Jamie himself and the band, on the choice occasions where they’ve reunited. In 2023, the now fully-electronic musician began teasing In Waves, the long-awaited Jamie xx follow-up that just landed on streaming platforms a week ago. Here’s what you need to know about the sequel effort.
Notable Reunions For Jamie xx On In Waves
Perhaps the biggest full circle moment comes just three songs into the project with “Waited All Night.” If you weren’t a fan of The XX during its heyday, the credits of Romy & Oliver Sim may not ring a bell, but this is a true reunion of the XX in full. Carried in its quieter moments by the always-dazzling vocal talents of Romy, the song descends into half-industrial synths at its breakdowns. Eminently enjoyable on its own two feet, the song is notable for marking just how far the brit-pop outfit has come, now entirely changing shape for a club banger some 15 years on.
Another major standout comes with “Baddy On The Floor,” reminiscent in broad strokes to “I Know There’s Gonna Be (Good Times)” from the 2015 effort. Though there’s no comparison for Young Thug, the reliance on bright piano chords, a patois-laden vocal sample and heady breakdowns makes the songs almost rhyme. However, the grimy groove the song catches in its heavier moments again showcases the new lane Jamie XX has stepped into in this fresh era, a lean towards darker production mirrored by the greyscale swap in album art here.
Solo Cuts Provide Major Highlights
Jumping back to the start of In Waves, “Wanna” is vintage Jamie xx, quieting and meditative with a perfect blend of digital production and analog. Though the feature list greatly contributes to what makes the project so enjoyable, it’s cuts like this that showcase how Jamie xx provides a uniting, extremely compelling presence.
If there’s one minor criticism to be levied against the project, it’s recognizability. Put simpler, the trance & deep house bags that Jamie xx reaches into for In Waves are, to no fault of his own, sounds that are now very much in vogue. At points throughout the project, acts like Four Tet, Nicolas Jaar (or his alter ego, Against All Logic) and Fred again.. come to mind. Part of the charm and evergreen appeal of In Colour is its true solitary nature, a blend of funk, electronic and pop that was without compare at the time of release. Again, this should not take away from the overall effect of In Waves inherently, but it’s a distinction when comparing the two projects.
A Note On The Impossible Expectations Of Sequel Projects
At least for this writer, a devout fan of In Colour, the mistake going into this project was expecting a note for note replication of that project. Once the dust settles, In Waves is a different beast entirely, clearly showcasing the growth Jamie xx experienced both personally and professionally in the time since it hit shelves. It may be impossible to recapture the aura of this debut, but the end results truly do speak for themselves here.
Catch In Waves and all of the Jamie xx catalog wherever you stream your music.
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