In Colour (Jamie xx album)
In Colour is the debut studio album by English producer Jamie xx, released on 29 May 2015 by Young Turks. The album was composed during a five-year period while a member of the indie pop band the xx, starting with his production on xx in 2009. After starting his solo career with the remix album We're New Here (2011) and singles like "All Under One Roof Raving" (2014), he was intent on making the album something of a departure from his previous work and genre. The album features guest vocals from fellow the xx members Romy and Oliver Sim, as well as from Young Thug and Popcaan. The album produced five singles: "Girl" and "Sleep Sound" as a double-single on 5 May 2014, "Loud Places" on 27 March 2015, "Gosh" on 4 May, and "I Know There's Gonna Be (Good Times)" on 22 May.
Not to be confused with In Color (album).In Colour
In Colour received widespread acclaim from critics. It debuted at number three on the UK Albums Chart, selling 19,255 copies in its first week.[1] In the United States, the album entered the Billboard 200 at number 21 and topped the Dance/Electronic Albums, with first-week sales of 19,000 copies.[2] It was nominated for the 2015 Mercury Prize, MasterCard British Album of the Year at the 2016 Brit Awards and Best Dance/Electronic Album at the 58th Grammy Awards.
Background and composition[edit]
Smith produced the xx's debut album, xx (2009), "by accident" after sessions with other producers including Diplo were unsuccessful.[3] Later in 2009, Smith began his solo career when he remixed Florence and the Machine's "You've Got the Love".[4] Smith was invited by XL Recordings owner Richard Russell to remix Gil Scott-Heron's 2010 album I'm New Here in its entirety. The resulting album, the electronic-based We're New Here, was released in 2011.[3] He released his debut single, the double A-side "Far Nearer" / "Beat For" in June 2011.[5] The following year, Smith used samples from We're New Here on Drake's "Take Care", which became a US top-10 hit.[6] In Colour was announced on 23 March 2015.[7]
The album was composed over five years, with Smith struggling to finish the music once he had started making it.[3] Smith wanted to make an album that sounded like it did not come from any particular era.[8] It is an electronica[9] and dance[10] record, blending styles of UK garage,[11][12] house[12] and rave.[12] Smith used vocal samples from British media sources that he had encountered while away on tour. The vocal sample at the beginning of "Girl" is taken from an episode of the British drama television series Top Boy, and "Gosh" features a clip from a BBC Radio 1 programme called One in the Jungle that was never aired.[8] "Seesaw" was recorded in collaboration with Kieran Hebden.[4] "I Know There's Gonna Be (Good Times)" is based around a sample of The Persuasions' 1971 song "Good Times" from their album Street Corner Symphony,[4] which Smith had bought in Detroit.[8] The song features vocals by American rapper Young Thug and Jamaican musician Popcaan, which were recorded separately and spliced together by Smith.[8]
Promotion[edit]
Singles[edit]
The first single from the album, "Sleep Sound", premiered on 27 March 2014.[13] A music video for "Sleep Sound", directed by Sofia Mattioli and featuring 13 members of the Manchester Deaf Centre, was released on 10 April 2014.[14] The second single from the album, "Girl", was released on 18 April 2014. "Girl" and "Sleep Sound" were later released as a double A-side on 5 May 2014.[15] On 25 March 2015, the tracks "Gosh" and "Loud Places" premiered on Annie Mac.[16]
Music videos[edit]
On 27 March, a music video for "Loud Places", featuring Jamie xx and the xx bandmate Romy Madley Croft skateboarding at night in London, was released.[17] On 27 April 2015, a music video for "Gosh" was released.[18] On 11 May 2015, the song "I Know There's Gonna Be (Good Times)", featuring Young Thug and Popcaan, was released.[19]
Release[edit]
On 26 May 2015, In Colour was streamed in its entirety on iTunes.[20] In Colour was released on 29 May 2015 in digital, CD, LP and a limited deluxe triple-LP edition. The deluxe edition of the album, cut on coloured vinyl, featured two exclusive instrumental tracks.[21]
In 2016, it was awarded a gold certification from the Independent Music Companies Association, indicating sales of at least 75,000 copies throughout Europe.[22]
All tracks produced by Jamie Smith, except "SeeSaw", produced by Smith and Kieran Hebden.
Sample credits
Credits adapted from the liner notes of In Colour.[60]