“In Colour” by Jamie xx

June 02. 2015 | By Mayumi Okamoto

Jamie xx_In Colour

Jamie xx
In Colour
[Young Turks]

Jamie Smith is one-third of the British electro-minimalist sensation, the xx. He’s produced for Drake, collaborated with the legendary Gil Scott-Heron on 2011’s We’re New Here, and made a name for himself DJing around the world. This time, Jamie Smith aka Jamie xx ventures out on his own with his debut album titled In Colour, and this solo endeavor solidifies his status as a musical journeyman who can do it all (except maybe sing, which we have yet to witness).

In Colour opens with “Gosh,” full of bass-heavy frenetic beats that immediately catch your attention and would undoubtedly have even the most awkward of us all shaking our groove thangs on the dance floor. The mood transitions to the crystalline “Sleep Sound,” a sleek track that oozes a cool, laid-back lounge vibe. Expect to hear some of Jamie xx’s piercing steel drums throughout (“Obvs”) as well as a few familiar voices such as the xx’s Oliver Sim (“Stranger in a Room”) and Romy Madley Croft (“Seesaw” and “Loud Places”).

Perhaps most interesting of all is “I Know There’s Gonna Be (Good Times)” featuring Young Thug, a track that at first listen seems out of place. But one of Jamie xx’s greatest strengths is his ability to seamlessly weave in and out of genres, blend what is quickly becoming his signature style with that of other artists, and elevate it to a new level. In Colour is Jamie xx at his creative best to date.

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