As it moves from reflective to engaging and back again, In Colour covers the entire spectrum of Jamie xx's music, delivering flashes of brilliance along the way.
Each song grows richer the more you explore its open space. Its minimalism breathes buckets of color. After one listen or 10, In Colour reflects brightly, a phenomenally poised and universally approachable solo debut.
For as erudite as it is, though, In Colour doesn't require footnotes to enjoy -- it's first and foremost a dance record.
It is completely stunning, in the sense that I can't believe artists like Jamie xx still exist and can still create full length projects of this quality.
In Colour is a master class in deftness.
In Colour is a record that could soundtrack break ups, facilitate unions, and prompt both soul searching and sweaty debauchery.
Those looking for an album which actively engages the future of music while remembering the imperfect past has much to enjoy with In Colour.
Although each of the LP's 11 parts change genres and tempo at the drop of a hat, In Colour consistently feels cohesive and directed. It is not simply a collection of disparate electronic styles, but a portfolio of the full skill-set of one of Britain's best producers.
In Colour is an album you could spend hours unpicking, discussing samples and references. Or you could slip on your headphones, and turn down the harsh call of the outside world.
In a sentence, that’s why In Colour is so good: it remodels slabs of wax in a way that not only acknowledges but embraces the pop potential those snippets of sound have been denied for so long.
In Colour is definitely a producer’s record. It’s meant to show off his clever talent for sound manipulation, and there’s an overarching, trip-hoppy languidness to much of it.
While it is true that In Colour is considerably happier than the xx’s works ... it is also one of the least lairy party albums in the world, ever, a potent antidote to bro-step, the current stadium iteration of dance music.
In Colour is a sonic sidestep from the trio’s sparse, monochrome melodies, which frees up Smith to explore British club culture.
In Colour isn't only a necessary listen, but an important one too.
In Colour is not so much about the past as it is a reaction to two-dimensional dance music in the present - a yearning for warmth, beauty and emotional connections.
In Colour really comes into its own when Jamie xx gets abstract and confounding; where his ability to conjure something wonderful from mosaic, non-linear paths is most evident.
Although In Colour flirts with being overly tasteful, it usually manages to stay just the right side of strange – much like the xx themselves.
What In Colour reveals is the sheer scope of Smith’s skills as a songwriter and producer. The xx on ecstasy: not a bad idea at all.
On the whole, In Color is a vibrant, warm distillation of Jamie xx’s genre-spanning influences, one which could easily result in a meteoric rise in his profile.
If the aim was to establish himself as an individual performer of great talent, to send off the nervous shoe-gazing boy reputation – to efface his own self-effacement, maybe – In Colour is a great success.
His deft touch and subtle flourishes call to mind a by gone age in dance music when you were limited by technology and had to work around that to create something remarkable.
In Colours is, like its creator, a display case for club culture and plays like a sonnet to the scene. It has lots of moments that will excite many and features some of the finest work Jamie has ever created but unfortunately it doesn’t quite sit well as a whole.
Shoutout to @andylikesmusic for the recommendation!
I've been so hyped to hear this album for quite a while now, since Jamie xx is quite a prolific producer in electronic music in the UK and I would sometimes hear his music in late night dance mixes on the radio during the weekends.
It wasn't easy finding a physical copy of this album (I prefer to experience albums like this on CD with the best sound system), but I finally got it and now it's time to party.
Jamie xx's music tends to balance ... read more
"Honestly, Nevermind" by Drake but actually good...
Jamie xx's debut album "In Colour" has been in my to-do list for a couple years now, and figured I'd finally check it out fully after all these years of putting it off. And man, this is just some amazing house and uk bass tunes! Tracks like "Gosh" and "SeeSaw" have some legitimately stellar and cool as shit production, honestly some of the best I've heard from this side of the house music sphere! It ... read more
A phenominal piece of electronic music that perfectly captures the essense it 2010s electronic music. With near flawless production, an array of guest voalists hop on this project, though some of the best moments are the instrumentals. Also, that Thugger track kicks ass. Beautiful artistry.
Downtempo beats, matched with melancholic vocals and deconstructed dance beats. Jamie xx’s debut album is not only amazing. But an emotional journey everyone should go on.
For me, being in the electronic scene, I always thought UK bass and future garage was rave music. Even deep house gave me the same vibes. Although, starting to get into Fred Again.. it changed my perspective on bass music. Jamie xx, by far, produced my favorite UK bass album. Every single song on this album is either ... read more
Crazy enough to paint fruitful colors with dazzling beats and calm enough to put them together naturally with downtempo melodies. In Colour is that kind of musical transportation.
Number:#626
First Listen:2024.3.11
Times I Have Fully Listened To:1
First Re-Listen:
Lately Re-Listen:
Special Meaning:
Collection:
1 | Gosh 4:50 | 90 |
2 | Sleep Sound 3:48 | 89 |
3 | SeeSaw 4:32 feat. Romy | 90 |
4 | Obvs 3:51 | 84 |
5 | Just Saying 1:23 | 79 |
6 | Stranger in a Room 2:57 feat. Oliver Sim | 80 |
7 | Hold Tight 4:03 | 86 |
8 | Loud Places 4:43 feat. Romy | 93 |
9 | I Know There's Gonna Be (Good Times) 3:33 feat. Young Thug, Popcaan | 78 |
10 | The Rest Is Noise 4:57 | 89 |
11 | Girl 4:00 | 91 |
#1 | / | Mixmag |
#2 | / | Pitchfork |
#2 | / | Vulture |
#3 | / | Gorilla vs. Bear |
#3 | / | NME |
#3 | / | Pigeons & Planes |
#3 | / | Q Magazine |
#3 | / | SPIN |
#4 | / | Entertainment Weekly |
#4 | / | Noisey |