Listen to 2015’s Greatest Feat of Genre-Fusion So Far: Jamie xx’s Latest Single ‘I Know There’s Gonna Be (Good Times)’ ft. Young Thug & Popcaan

Listen to 2015’s Greatest Feat of Genre-Fusion So Far:<br> Jamie xx’s Latest Single ‘I Know There’s Gonna Be<br> (Good Times)’ ft. Young Thug & Popcaan

Pop quiz: which contemporary producer can muster a profound continuity between the late poet Gil Scott-Heron and modern-day sensation Young Thug (sheesh)? Answer: Jamie xx, as spectacularly embodied on his latest release “I Know There’s Gonna Be (Good Times)”.

When I first peeked at the features listed on this track, I immediately had to double take. After realizing this release was actually official (even if leaked), I proceeded to play the track half a dozen consecutive times (that’s a low estimate cause I’m playing the track right now but don’t want y’all to think I’m actually obsessed). Before even pressing play, you know the track could go either way; it could be a divine synthesis of emerging talent, or a botched top-down B-side. Luckily for us…

The track is layered over immaculately bouncy steel-drum synthesizers, kissed with just the slightest touch of reverb. It displays influence from a truly expansive breadth of sounds: rooted in soul and Afro-Caribbean dancehall, while still boasting clean electronic production and glitzy rap verses. This track is for everyone, and epitomizes why 2015 has brought us some of the best music in history. I don’t know if Jamie and Young Thug actually got in the same room for this collaboration, but it begs the question, does it even matter? Traveling via the infinitely possible landscape of the Internet (save China), allows for collaborations like this one to seem easy. Expect to hear this song in almost every DJ set you see this summer, and as you guzzle your drink and saunter back to the bar for another, remember that Jamie xx, Young Thug and Popcaan knew you’d have a very good time.

Jamie xx’s In Colour is out on June 2nd, and is now available for pre-order on iTunes. Listen below: