After nine long years, Jamie xx has returned with his second sophomore album In Waves. A follow up to the renowned In Colour, Jamie xx delivers this 12 track album featuring collaborations with Robyn, The Avalanches, Honey Dijon, and his band members and best friends Romy and Oliver Sim of The xx, this album sees Jamie xx make some of the most moving, yet danceable music your ears have ever heard.
Via his own label, Young, In Waves is everything you could’ve wanted in a follow up to his remarkable first album. The project starts off with the piano-injected ballad, “Wanna.” A beautiful, serene song sampling Tina Moore’s 1995 hit, “Never Gonna Let You Go,” a sample recently popularized from Sammy Virji’s “Never Let You Go.” The track sets a calming tone before opening up into some of Jamie xx’s most danceable work to date. “Dafodil” is an alluring and soulful track that was one of the first songs Jamie xx created that made him realize he could make another album. Creatively sparked by voice notes sent back and forth between Jamie and good friend and vocalist Kelsey Lu, this track is one of the more unique and lovely ones on the project.
Previously released singles “Baddy On The Floor” with Honey Dijon and “All You Children” with The Avalanches were a sneak peak into the danceability of this album. “Still Summer” is a choppy and rhythmic number that your body simply cannot deny while “Waited All Night” sees The xx get back together for a moody, dark, and upbeat experience that performed live would knock your socks off. “Life” with iconic Swedish vocalist Robyn is another standout that blitzes listeners with a brass melody before Robyn’s vocals arrive to round off this track as a smash hit.
The wait was well worth it, as Jamie xx’s brilliance is on full display and is the farthest thing from a flop after In Colour. Marking another chapter in his extraordinary catalog. Stream the album below and enjoy!
Jamie xx – In Waves
-Written By: JD Scribner