Album Review: Jamie XX | In Colour
By Francis Cook
Jamie Smith made a marked departure from The XX’s pared back style with his Gil-Scott Heron collaboration. Instead of
minimal, lovelorn musings with high vocal and sparse production, he created noise. There was a borderline club hit with
“New York is Killing Me”.
In Colour takes the amplified production of We’re New Here but brings it back to The XX – featuring bandmates Romy and
Oliver on the album- meanwhile expounding Jamie’s talent as an electronic musician on par with his fellow Londoners
Caribou, Fourtet and Burial.
The first track of the album, “Gosh”, starts with a deep catchy bassline. By anyone else it would be par for the course,
but coming from Jamie, this presents a bold statement. The track exudes an individual confidence never seen from him
before and sets the standard for what follows.
While I always enjoyed the quiet restraint and heartache so close to bursting out in The XX, it is an absolute treat to
hear Jamie go unleashed. “Seesaw”, with Romy, features the typical break-up romance we’ve come to expect, set to a high
tempo break beat. The quiet has been replaced by the loud, the slow by the fast, and the result is exhilarating.
Romy’s second feature, on “Loud Places”, starts slow and familiar then suddenly turns to a fist-pumping sing-a-long
chorus. It’s just plain awesome to hear her on such an uplifting and fun track.
The album takes a subdued turn in the mid-section. “Stranger in a Room” stands out as the most “XX” of all the tracks,
and is a surprising disappointment. The problem is, with all the innovating of the tracks before and after, Strangers in
a Room sounds too familiar and safe. The wailing guitar plays slowly while Oliver cringingly “oohs” away – it would have
been mediocre even if it was an XX album. It’s a shame the only song featuring Oliver is a let-down, but the remainder
of the album provides salvation.
The absolute highlight on the album is “I Know There’s Gonna Be (Good Times)” featuring one of the most exciting rappers
around, Young Thug, and dancehall star, Popcaan. It’s almost almost out of place here - with a catchy hook and Young
Thug yelling “I’ma ride in that pussy like a stroller” - but it somehow not only works, it’s actually a banger of a
track, sure to get mileage on the dance floor.
Jamie goes from ambient on “Sleep Sound” and “Obvs” to expansive on “Girl” effortlessly while retaining a distinct
uniqueness as a producer.
Apart from “Stranger in a Room”, there is little to fault with In Colour. After listening for to a few tracks, the title
makes complete sense. Jamie Smith has opened up his sound and exposed his talent. His full range is on display with
vigour rather than restraint. It stands as one of the most exciting albums of the year so far, and is a triumphant solo
release for Jamie XX.
Video for "Loud Places":
ENDS