Nearly a decade after dropping his first solo album, In Colour, which in itself was a follow-up to his 2010s defining work with The xx and a remix album of Gil-Scott Heron’s I’m New Here, Jamie xx returns on his sophomore album, In Waves, out via Young. However, he never quite left music, having become a prolific touring artist who would remind listeners he remains a permanent fixture in electronic music through singles here and there. 2020’s “Idontknow,” in particular, captured the chaos of that year in a way that few artists, no matter the genre, could — all without any vocals.

On In Waves, Jamie xx preserves his style while experimenting through tiny acts of rebellion, whether it be breaking the electronic music mold he set for himself or challenging the traditional structure of a dance track.

Like years before, Jamie xx shows no signs of stopping as far as touring goes. He will be touring for the remainder of 2024, with dates everywhere from Argentina to Australia. Aside from a Palm Springs date at Desert Air on Nov. 16, he also has several dates already aligned for the beginning of 2025, including an LA date at the Shrine Expo Hall on Jan. 23.

Tracklist befitting of a live set

From the get-go, the seamless transitions between each track are reminiscent of how smoothly his live shows go, where there’s never a dull moment or time to breathe while you’re dancing. “Baddy On The Floor,” which was previously teased as early as his 2022 tour, bridges the lush house music of the first half of his career to the hard-hitting drum and bass defining his new output. Although reduced to a vocal chop, Honey Dijon appropriately contrasts the 70s-esque sample, preventing Jamie from relying on sounds from the past and instead focusing on crafting an instantly iconic song in his catalog.

In the same spirit as breakout single “Gosh,” “Baddy On The Floor” is one of those songs destined to get crowds moving. “Breather” also has the same effect, albeit with a darker, aggressive edge that easily ranks it among his most hypnotizing. The mixing and production reach the same crystal clear highs of In Colour and then some, letting the bubbling bass build up at some points and utilizing distortion as an added sonic texture at other points.

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Expanding his style

Rather than continuing the sound Jamie xx pioneered in the 2010s, he’s moving closer to electronic genres such as deep house and UK garage that dominated the underground in the 90s, using those genres as a vehicle for something distinct rather than creating new sounds that then become synonymous to one era and thus dated. “Treat Each Other Right” is the formal introduction to his new era, still laden with samples but far removed from the pristine, indie-leaning sound of In Colour. The samples get stretched to their limits, almost as if Jamie is experimenting in real-time and seeing where the music takes him.

Similar to his reworking of The xx song “On Hold,” Jamie uses the contributions from his band on “Waited All Night” and turns their vocals into instruments that coincide with the pulsating bass. Perhaps more than other songs on the album, he’s experimenting on a level that pushes himself more than ever. While it may have been easy for him to deliver a sequel of In Colour, it’s far more interesting to hear Jamie show how creatively transformative the past nine years of touring have been for him.

Tasteful samples and features

Aside from keeping it in the family with The xx collaborators Romy and Oliver Sim, Jamie xx knows how to utilize the guest spots on the album as if they were samples themselves. “Dafodil,” the equivalent of a posse cut for electronic music, features Kelsey Lu, John Glacier, and Panda Bear, who, amid samples bridging their spots together, all act as whispers you would hear within earshot while walking through a club. The oscillating instrumentation adds to the subtly disorienting yet freeing energy of the song, allowing listeners to get into the headspace of someone who’s been at the club for 24 hours straight.

First collaborating in 2020 on their album We Will Always Love You, Jamie and The Avalanches join forces once again on “All You Children.” In true plunderphonics fashion, the peculiar, borderline unorthodox samples are repurposed into a traditional dance track that does not resemble either’s signature sounds. The fact that both are able to bring each other out of their comfort zones goes to show why, despite the many years Jamie and The Avalanches have behind them, they are at the forefront of electronic music and music overall. 

The idea of waiting another decade for a new Jamie xx album might seem like a tall ask. However, in his case, that time in between records is time well spent, whether it be playing the many live shows that double as testing for what makes crowds move or the hours in the studio. And if the next potential album comes sooner or later, there’s the reassurance that it will not only further Jamie artistically but the broader electronic dance landscape, as well.

Words: David Sosa

Visit Jamie xx on his Instagram and website to stay updated on new releases and tickets to upcoming tour dates, including an LA show at the Shrine Expo Hall on Jan. 23.