Jamie xx – In Waves

‘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 his interview with Zane Lowe, Jamie touched on this balance of past and present: “It reminded me why I love this music. I started to enjoy the actual creation process and forgot about the end game.” This rekindled love for creating music is palpable throughout In Waves, where each track feels meticulously constructed yet also brimming with spontaneity.

The standout single ‘Waited All Night’ reunites Jamie with his xx bandmates Romy and Oliver . While the collaboration is less organic than their previous work—Jamie admits, “it was actually very fragmented compared to how we write as a band”—the result is no less compelling. Romy’s delicate vocals are punctuated by Oliver’s soothing harmonies, with the track building toward a lush, slow-burn climax.

It’s a beautiful showcase of Jamie’s ability to maintain the chemistry and intimacy of his work with the xx while expanding his sound into new, more dynamic territory. The production on In Waves is unparalleled, seamlessly blending a wide array of influences. Jamie references everything from Fela Kuti’s afrobeat to the avant-garde minimalism of Philip Glass .

He layers UK pirate radio influences with Northern Soul and tropicalia, creating a sprawling, kaleidoscopic tapestry of sound. This isn’t merely music for the dancefloor—it’s music that tells a story, each beat and synth line carefully placed to evoke emotion and memory. — — ‘Treat You Right’, a standout track, epitomises this careful layering.

Jamie creates a dreamy, atmospheric groove, cutting a chipmunked vocal snippet straight out of ’60s AM radio into something transcendent. It’s a prime example of his skill at transforming the mundane into something magical. The track’s breakbeat carries an infectious energy, driving it forward while the swirling synths and soul-drenched vocals anchor it emotionally.

As Jamie said to Zane Lowe , “With this album, it mattered to me more...

I was starting to get excited about the idea of playing shows again.” That excitement is audible across the album, which feels like a love letter to the club scene that shaped him. Tracks like ‘Baddy on the Floor’—a collaboration with Honey Dijo n—pulse with the kind of energy that evokes the glory days of NYC’s Paradise Garage, all while maintaining a contemporary sheen.

This track perfectly captures the communal euphoria of a packed dancefloor, transporting the listener to another place and time. The heart of ‘In Waves’ beats strongest in its emotional depth, particularly in its quieter moments. ‘Daffodil’, featuring Panda Bear, John Glacier, and Kelsey Lu, is a swirling, melancholy meditation that feels like a summer daydream, with its soft harmonies and lush instrumentation.

There’s a profound sense of yearning here, reflecting Jamie’s introspection in the years since his debut ‘In Colour’. As he explained in the interview, the pandemic gave him time to reflect: “I got a chance to stop and realise how much of it was a blur..

. I wanted to find more of that calmness and stillness in my career after that.” The album’s finale, ‘Falling Together’, is an ode to connection and belonging.

Featuring the voice of dancer Oona Doherty , it’s a spiritual closing note, leaving the listener with a sense of transcendence. The track’s minimalistic beat gradually unfolds into a rich, layered composition, evoking the deep emotional release of the post-rave comedown, where clarity and euphoria meet in a fleeting moment of perfect harmony. Despite its introspective moments, ‘In Waves’ is ultimately a celebration of life’s possibilities, both on and off the dancefloor.

Jamie xx has crafted an album that’s both deeply personal and universal, steeped in the sounds of the past while pushing them into a new, expansive future. As he said of the process: “I think that’s what makes this album what it is..

. the challenge is going to make it the best one yet.” ‘In Waves’ isn’t just an album—it’s an immersive experience, that captures the magic of music’s ability to connect us to each other and to ourselves.

It’s destined to be played on dancefloors and in solitary late-night listening sessions, offering new revelations each time. For those seeking solace, joy, or pure emotional catharsis, Jamie xx has delivered a masterpiece that will linger long after the last beat fades. 9/10 Words: Josh Crowe —.