Album Review: Jamie XX - In Colour

If you're after a mishmash of samples, sounds and a wide range of vocals all blended seamlessly together under the guiding hand of Jamie XX, In Colour is what you need. I don't  think there'll ever be a day when he fails to impress me and this album is a prime example of that premise.

As his first solo studio offering, the lone wolf approach was met with mixed predictions but as usual he hasn't disappointed. In Colour's ethereal and futuristic sound has plunged us into a new area of alternative music along with showing us a totally different side to Jamie Smith, AKA Jamie XX.

The record runs through so many styles and sounds - it ticks every box. Half of the tracks are hazy pieces scattered with airy vocals whilst others are fast paced effervescent anthems.

The serene "Loud Places" is absolutely stunning, and with help from The XX's Romy Madley Croft, it rings true to everything we already love about the producer. The ascension of this track and similarly on "Stranger In A Room" is what's truly mesmerising of the record. The 26 year old producer has always been great at evoking emotion but continues on that path more so with this record than anything else. In the way he's crafted these pieces, he tells a story with each note that could capture anyone.

He then transcends into the likes of rhythmic "Gosh" and "Seesaw" which shows us a polar opposite side of the record. "I Know There's Gonna Be" has to be my favourite with its soulful samples and hip hop overtones. It's an absolute mash of everything but flows effortlessly. The sample overload and cross-genre style seems to somehow mesh to create one hell of tune.

Throw in a few steel drums and xylophones and you have In Colour. It would take you some serious time to list everything going on on this album, and when you were finished the list would look like the worst bunch of instruments, styles and samples to put together.

However, Jamie XX has somehow knitted them all together in the craziest order and created an incredible piece of music. How he does it, I'll never know, but I'm not complaining!