‘In Waves’, Jamie xx’s long-awaited sophomore album not only lives up to the near-decade-long anticipation but surpasses it, delivering a sublime auditory experience that transcends genres. Whilst a step forward for Jamie, there’s one enduring quality simultaneously present on ‘In Waves’, and ‘In Colour’ . Both are albums with tracks that sit perfectly in a multitude of contexts.
Wholeheartedly introspective, with snippets of rave culture sprinkled on top. Jamie xx has maintained his timeless gift of making music that can seamlessly soundtracks a morning run, as much as it does an after-party. It’s symbolic of the nature of his album, each track unfurling his lived experience into a sonic output that is met by warm embrace by fans new and old.
It’s an album where the London producer blends heart-pounding dancefloor rhythms with the ephemeral beauty of human emotion, creating something both intensely personal and universally resonant. From the first moments of ‘In Waves’ it’s clear Jamie xx has evolved. The opening track, ‘Wanna’, immerses listeners into a track that shifts fluidly between garage, house, and disco.
A mournful vocal echo, drawn from UK garage’s legacy, melds with house piano chords and swirling R&B melodies. It’s a prime example of Jamie’s alchemy—turning fragmented elements of the past into something that feels fresh and vibrant. It immediately pulls you into a euphoric, deeply nostalgic space, inviting you to reflect.
In .