Jamie xx - In Waves

If you haven’t danced enough yet, consider this your invitation.

After nearly a decade since In Colour, Jamie xx returns with In Waves, a record that doesn’t shout for attention but rather whispers into your ear, guiding you through a journey of restrained intensity. It feels like a deeper dive into the grooves he started laying down nine years ago. Where In Colour was brighter and expansive, In Waves is darker, thicker, and richer in texture, like the feeling of wading through something more tangible than sound—emotion.

Jamie xx opts for a soundscape that’s undeniably cohesive. This might feel like a letdown, especially if you were waiting for another “Loud Places”-style peak. But in In Waves, Jamie xx sacrifices those towering climaxes for something more deliberate: integrity and flow.

The album moves like water, smooth yet unpredictable. Tracks transition seamlessly, and while there’s no single punch-you-in-the-gut moment, the whole thing kind of sinks into your skin. By the time you’re halfway through, you’ve almost forgotten what song you’re on. It’s hypnotic, a bit trance-inducing, but never boring.

Production-wise, this album is a masterclass. He leans on his minimalist tendencies but never to the point of austerity. It is something that any electronic musician can follow as an example. It doesn’t reach the ecstatic highs of its predecessor, but it's solid, grounded, and leaves an impression.

In Waves may not be the kind of album that grabs attention with every beat or fills every moment with intensity. But one day, you'll find yourself in a club, or a club will appear in your soul... and everything will fall into place.

7.8/10