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Jamie xx’s meteoric rise in popularity in the last five years has been an astounding achievement. He has gone from being one third of a low key indie band to becoming arguably one of the most popular electronic music producers active today. Alongside acts like Hudson Mohawke and James Blake, he is responsible for raising the profile of producers in the sphere of pop music. It seems surprising then that we are only now getting to listen to a full length solo album. This album has been gestating within Jamie Smith for a long time and it has been eagerly awaited by fans.

“Album” arguably gives the wrong impression about this work, it would be better to call it a musical retrospective of Smith’s life and career. Tracks like Gosh and Hold Tight take their cues from garage and rave respectively and give insight into Smith’s own musical heritage. Obvs is also a little nod to one of his breakthrough tracks, Far Nearer. Sleep Sound and Girl were deemed too good to be left out and are included in slightly retouched forms. Songs such as Loud Places and Stranger in a Room tell of his continued involvement with The xx. It is at these times where In Colour falls flat compared to the eclectic genre-hopping and masterful sampling showcased in the rest of the album. This is very telling of the fact that Smith and his side project have come to eclipse his original band.
One of the best things about Smith’s debut effort is that he has managed to create something which can be all things for all people. In Colour is of the moment and nostalgic all at once. Smith has created an album which undoubtedly is cool, while also being very emotionally sincere. Despite being let down slightly by his bandmates, In Colour has surely cemented Jamie xx’s place as one of the figureheads of electronic music.