I see good music in two ways; either it’s my favorite thing ever, or it’s the best thing ever. The difference lies in that my “favorite” thing is subjectively great but may or may not be objectively good. On the other hand, the “best” of something, whether it’s a track or something else, is objectively the best, ignoring whether or not if it’s my favorite. That’s why it’s so impactful for me to say that Jamie xx’s In Colour is one of the best, and one of my most favorite albums ever.
Released in 2015, In Colour reached the British electric dance scene with a big boom. Of course, this isn’t a review for “In Colour”, but instead about Jamie xx’s 2025 deluxe version of the newer album “In Waves”.
Because of the obvious bias I have towards “In Colour”, it’s only fair that I pin it against an album made by Jamie xx over a decade later, where he is in a completely different mind space and spot in his life. I thought that was only fair.
In order to appreciate “In Waves”, it’s important to dive into his and Jamie xx’s previous impact on the electric dance genre. Born in Britain, James Thomas Smith is a music producer and DJ who’s been on the scene since 2005. After years of serving the British Indie Rock Group the xx as their producer and beat-artist, Smith began his own project under the inherited moniker “Jamie xx”.
After a handful of singles, “In Colour” was released to the world in 2015. “In Colour” was so good, and so impactful to the Electro Dance scene, it was nominated for a Grammy, as well as a Mercury Prize and MasterCard British Album of the Year award.
Almost a decade later, in 2024, Jamie xx released “In Waves”, a spiritual successor to his original album. “In Waves” is more focused on actual dancing club-mixes. Instead of building up a feeling of cinematic aura or moments of goosebumps-ridden highs, “In Waves” is more focused on giving an upbeat and outward experience. Basically,” In Colour” is like if you were to climb up a mountain, experiencing all the highs and lows of that journey. On the other hand, Jamie xx’s successor is if you were already on the top of that mountain, where a massive disco rave is taking place. Instantaneous enjoyment, as each track is just designed for dancing.
The album’s first track, Wanna, is a good enough start. It’s a bit silly and doesn’t have the same hair-raising impact that “In Colour” had.
“Treat Each Other Right:”, the second track, is also lackluster in some ways and great in others. It’s also obvious that Smith still has his knack for using samples in fun, however predictable ways. The first handful of tracks aren’t absolutely amazing, or anything that “new”, but they are fun. It’s definitely dance music.
Of course, it wouldn’t be a Jamie xx album without featuring the vocalists from Smith’s original band, the xx. The album truly picks up its pace at Waited All Night (Feat. the xx). With its strong beat and vocals, I was definitely waiting all night for this track to begin, a surprisingly difficult first 6 minutes of the album.
Truly the biggest hurrah of the album is the track “Baddy on the Floor”, as well as “Daffodil” and “Summer”. With a powerful bass and an energetic melody, “Baddy on the Floor” functioned as an instantly fun-stoked and catchy song. The next two tracks are great too. “Daffodil” instantly hits a melodic chord, with its lively synths and appealing samples. Same with “Summer”, as a catchy song that does get you dancing. They both serve as further reminders that Jamie xx can still release “banger” after “banger”.
The album resembles a normal curve distribution graph; low numbers at the ends, with the high point being in the middle. It’s not to say that the first and last third of the album is a snooze fest, but in some ways, it is. After this last hurrah of songs, the album fizzles out, leaving a very dry taste in my mouth, like I just woke up from a long and dehydrating nap.
Unfortunately, there is just no way for “In Waves” to compete with “In Colour”. The “In Waves” Deluxe album is exactly its genre, electric dance. “In Colour” on the other hand, wasn’t just “electric dance.” Jamie xx’s original album was also cinematic, with each track telling a story. Because of this, I just can’t see In Waves as living up to the Jamie xx name.
Regardless, In Waves does stand on its own, as a fun and energetic album with inherent value and definitely its own identity. Jamie xx’s new album is even a meaningful evolution of In Colour. As stand-alone art, In Waves works and even stands above much of the modern dance music scene. Is it the best? No. Is it my favorite? Also no. However, In Waves is a good album, that continues the legacy of Jamie xx, in a fun, although surface way.
