Jamie Xx At Juno Download

Review: The much-lauded Jamie XX rework of Gil Scott-Heron's 2010 album I'm New Here finally arrives, and it's pretty darn good. In truth there's little quite as gorgeously ambitious as the strangely anthemic teaser single "NY Is Killing Me" (included here), but that doesn't stop it being an excellent listen. Not so much a set of remixes as a total reproduction, We're New Here places the veteran beat poet's distinctive vocals at the heart of a heady, other-worldly soup of eclectic beats (think dubstep, hip-hop and wonky house), booming basslines, sparkling house riffs, blissful melodies and paranoid late night atmospherics. A near perfect 33 minutes, all told.

Review: Arriving in a fashion not dissimilar to the all encompassing deviations from Burial is "Far Nearer", the long awaited drop from The xx's Jamie - courtesy of the always on point Numbers imprint. Subject to many a YouTube appearance over the months, this charming steel drum infused summer jam can finally be enjoyed after potential sampling issues were circumnavigated by the smudged vocal that runs throughout being re-recorded. It's perhaps too twee and gentle to drop in the midst of a set, though it will certainly have the requisite effect should you deem to slip it in at the end! Complementing this, "Beat For" channels darker sounds, with off kilter drum drops at the core surrounded by gut punching sub bass undulations, bubbling sonics and pitched out vocals with punching throwback house riffs giving the track rhythmic impetus.