In Waves

Jamie xx’s In Waves is a triumphant return, arriving nine years after his acclaimed debut In Colour. Released on 20 September 2024 via Young, this sophomore effort is a luminous, genre-blurring journey that captures the emotional crescendos and quiet introspections of a night out.

Crafted over four years, In Waves is both expansive and intimate, featuring collaborations with a diverse array of artists, including Honey Dijon, Robyn, The Avalanches, Kelsey Lu, John Glacier, Panda Bear, and Jamie’s The xx bandmates, Romy and Oliver Sim. The deluxe vinyl edition offers an additional treat with a collaboration featuring Erykah Badu. The album’s singles—”Baddy on the Floor,” “Treat Each Other Right,” and “Life”—set the tone for a record that oscillates between dancefloor euphoria and reflective melancholy.

Jamie xx’s production is meticulous, weaving samples and interpolations seamlessly into the fabric of the album. Notably, “Wanna” incorporates elements from Double 99’s “RipGroove” and Tina Moore’s “Never Gonna Let You Go,” while “Still Summer” nods to the Moody Blues’ “Nights in White Satin.”

Critically acclaimed, In Waves received a score of 84 out of 100 on Metacritic, indicating universal acclaim. The Guardian praised it as “bright, blissful bangers for 3am on big speakers,” highlighting Jamie’s ability to craft tracks that resonate both in clubs and in solitary listening.

In In Waves, Jamie xx delivers a record that is both a celebration of communal dance experiences and a personal exploration of sound, solidifying his place as a visionary in contemporary electronic music.