In Waves

Pitchfork 7.3/10 Ten years after his big solo debut, the UK producer goes even bigger for a well-polished record animated by the ecstatic and easy pleasures of the dancefloor.

The Needle Drop 7/10 Some of the year's most fun and quirky dance tracks.

NME 4/5 Nine years on and in a very different world, the producer rises to the challenge of following up his masterful debut, ‘In Colour’.

The Line of Best Fit 8/10 That curious shift in tone makes In Waves a more enigmatic listen than In Colour, and perhaps goes some way to explaining the monochromaticism of its artwork. As an album, it’s hard to read – a quality which gives scope for deep dives and respins, but which also makes sincere connection a trickier ask at times.

Evening Standard 4/5 It’s darker, slower and more thoughtful than its predecessor – throbbing beats are punctuated by moments of intense anxiety, such as the dark and brooding Breather.

Dork 4/5 A collection of rousing bliss and invigorating energy full of variety and vivid dynamism.

DIY 4/5 Skittish beats, soothing piano licks and scattershot sampling.

All Music 4.5/5 In Waves sounds like the music Jamie xx needed to make at this point in his career -- its love letter to the communal healing power of dance music is often more purposeful, and more satisfying, than his instant-classic debut.

Under The Radar 7.5/10 Jamie xx captures across In Wave’s 11 tracks the range of emotions that come from a night at the club.

Clash 9/10 For those seeking solace, joy, or pure emotional catharsis, Jamie xx has delivered a masterpiece that will linger long after the last beat fades.

Pop Matters 8/10 Nearly a decade after his debut, Jamie xx returns with a long-awaited sophomore LP that stylishly swells and retreats with danceable beats and moody romanticism.

The Guardian 4/5 Filled with guest stars from his xx bandmates to Robyn, this long-gestating second solo album picks up where In Colour left off, and deepens its dancefloor devotion.

Spectrum Culture 80% In Waves doesn’t shy away from how crummy the world is, but it doesn’t let it win, either.

Beats Per Minute 85% Billed as a mystical night out, In Waves is more than that. It’s a love letter to clubbing and club music from the 1990s to the present.

The Telegraph 4/5 In Colour might have been more ambitious in its production, but In Waves is a no-nonsense, euphoric work, perfect for a sunny day or a dance inside a club.

The Irish Times 5/5 James Smith delivers a big-hearted and lively album with big-name guests and a lot of soul.