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Review Summary: Gorgeous atmospheres with a penchant for solid pop songwriting. Minimalism is an aesthetic that many attempt, but few truly succeed at. It’s become quite a common trend of late; slick, flattened designs partnered with a limited yet sharp color pallette have been the look of choice for various corporations hoping to acquire some sort of credibility with its younger demographic (usually to a fault). Others, however, thrive on creating such grandiose atmospheres with so little components. British producer Jamie xx is one such artist, creating a bevy of intelligent atmospheres while keeping one foot on the dancefloor at the same time on his solo debut, In Colour.
Such territory is not foreign to Jamie, who first got his start as a member of dreamy indietronica band the xx, whose catalog has been the subject of considerable positivity from both critics and listeners alike. But where the xx sought to create a moody, eerie atmosphere within its hushed vocals and echoing guitars, In Colour builds upon this introspection into something much more universally approachable.
This dancefloor angle is especially apparent on the album’s most apparent pop crossover, "(I Know There’s Gonna Be) Good Times", featuring a dancehall beat and a feature from Young Thug that wouldn’t sound out of place in some no-name mainstream DJ’s prom playlist. It’s a distinct outlier within the tracklist, and yet, it remains as a success through its catchiness and blissful charm. This same optimism can be found in “Loud Places”, one of the best tracks to be found here. Featuring vocals from the xx’s Romy Madley Croft, the song opens with a notable resemblance to a track off either artist’s back catalogue, before lifting itself into an empowered chorus surrounded by the background chatter of the U.K.’s club scene.
But what make Jamie xx’s debut such a pleasure to listen to is its sheer consistency present throughout the album. Opener “Gosh” features an energetic breakbeat before adding in an extra layer of gorgeous synth during its second half, while “Obvs” stands out with a generous use of colorful steel drums. Even the tracks that sound like callbacks to Jamie’s previous work, “Just Saying” and “Strangers in a Room”, while sounding slightly inferior compared to In Colour’s lofty high points, are competent enough tracks on their own, and help give an album an ethereal flow. Such album characteristics are admirable traits, but they are all the more rewarding when they sound as good as this.
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Album Rating: 4.0
Been a little while since I wrote up a review, criticisms/comments appreciated.
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
Thought this didn't come out til' June 1st.
| | | Album Rating: 3.0 | Sound Off
it's streaming for free on iTunes iirc
| | | Album Rating: 4.0
Yep, here's a stream: https://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewFeature?cc=us&id=992974573
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
Oh, I don't use iTunes, so I guess that's why I didn't know.
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
the song with young thug slays. might check this
| | | Album Rating: 3.0 | Sound Off
"Minimalism is an artform that many attempt, but few truly succeed."
kinda misleading, as jamie xx doesn't fall into minimalism at all.
| | | Album Rating: 4.0
Is it? Personally, I feel that Jamie xx's work always had a minimalist quality to it, although that is not as apparent on this album so much as his previous singles.
| | | Album Rating: 3.0 | Sound Off
it's a style of composition, idk how to explain other than it tends to be repetitious and have recurring, slow-moving melodies and a focus on inner workings but youtube Steve Reich or Philip Glass for an idea
| | | Album Rating: 4.0
Oh, I know what you're talking about (John Cage, etc.) To me, Jamie xx as minimalist in terms of production style rather than in terms of genre placement, but I get where you're coming from.
| | | Album Rating: 3.0 | Sound Off
ah yeah i read the rest and kinda see what you mean, but it threw me for a loop, i guess nvm lol
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i see where you are coming from with the minimalism comments user thekilleruser, but your use is extremely ambiguous and depending on what usage you are trying to convey here i would agree or disagree more or less depending. minimalism as a descriptor has different meanings than say the sub genre term "minimal techno". either way its a questionable aspect to centre a review around for an album like this...
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like are you refering to minimalism as a technique / aesthetic or are you referring to a specific minimalist sub genre ie minimal techno?
hopefully the former because jamie does utilize a couple of the distinguishing characteristics... but even still, in practice and in philosophy it really doesnt fit there either too much.
| | | Album Rating: 4.0
Aesthetic, definitely. Not as a specific sub-genre, Jamie xx is far from it.
But in terms of said aesthetic, Jamie xx does have a history of using minimalist characteristics, particularly during his time with the xx. Perhaps it's not as defining here as it on his back catalogue, but I feel it's an important part of his overall style. At least to me, anyway.
Also, I changed a word in the review to clear that point up a little better.
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Aesthetic, definitely. Not as a specific sub-genre, Jamie xx is far from it.
ok good
But in terms of said aesthetic, Jamie xx does have a history of using minimalist characteristics, particularly during his time with the xx. Perhaps it's not as defining here as it on his back catalogue, but I feel it's an important part of his overall style. At least to me, anyway.
yeah i dunno it has some characteristics but this album especially doesnt really fit in with the philosophy too much.
not saying its so far-fetched that u shouldnt even mention it in your review but maybe just a bit of a reach to like use it as an opening / center point is a bit ambiguous and misleading
| | | Album Rating: 4.0
For some tracks (Loud Places, Good Times, etc.), I definitely see your point. But a lot of the album, particularly the middle portion, does have a lot of those minimalist-esque characteristics, particularly Sleep Sound and Strangers in a Room.
I don't know, to me, when I listen to the album, I feel like there's a lot of minimalist aspects within, and i find it an important part of its core.
| | | Album Rating: 4.2 | Sound Off
however this review uses minimalism it's sure a hell of a lot better than the way Consequence of Sound referenced minimalism with this album: http://consequenceofsound.net/2015/05/album-review-jamie-xx-in-colour/
| | | Album Rating: 4.5 | Sound Off
Still like this
| | | Album Rating: 3.0
was going to review this actually. not needed now
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
Gosh and loud places are both amazing so i'll definitely check
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