Jam_City

Jam City

Jam City

UK electronic music producer and DJ

This article is about the music producer. For the mobile game developer, see Jam City (company).

Jack Latham is a British electronic music producer and DJ who performs under the alias Jam City.[1][2] He has been active since 2010 and records on the label Night Slugs. He has released four full-length albums: 2012's Classical Curves, 2015's Dream a Garden, 2020's Pillowland, and 2023's EFM. He has also produced for artists such as Kelela, Troye Sivan, Gaika, and Olivia Rodrigo.

Quick Facts Birth name, Also known as ...

Recordings

Classical Curves

Main article: Classical Curves

Jam City's debut album, Classical Curves, was released in 2012 to positive reception. Sonically, the album featured glossy, alien-sounding post-dubstep and club music and established his reputation for creating instrumentals from club music tropes.[1][3][2] The Quietus called it "one of the most interesting album-length listens to come from a UK club producer in a while."[4]

Dream a Garden

Main article: Dream a Garden

Latham's follow-up album, Dream a Garden, was released in 2015. Inspired by the 2011 England riots and the work of bell hooks, the album further developed the socio-political conscience of his debut, engaging particularly with the effects of neoliberalism.[1][5][2][6] Latham said the album "is about the personal effects of living under capitalism. Why do I feel shit and why do the people I love feel shit when they look at billboards?"[6] The first single from the album, Unhappy, critiques corruptive elements of online porn.[7]

Pillowland

After the more explicitly political Dream a Garden, Latham initially attempted to continue in this path by reacting musically to current world events. When this process did not lead to music he was satisfied with, he turned in a more personal direction, which led to the 2020 album Pillowland, focused on themes such as "a desire for a better life."[8] Resident Advisor referred to it as vibrant, distorted, kaleidoscopic, and self-assured.[9]

EFM

In 2023, EFM was released, with more of a club-centered focus, inspired by his experience at Liquid and Envy.[10] Pitchfork referred to it as "an effervescent blend of rattling garage, glitzy disco, and thumping house."[11]

Work with others

Latham has also written songs and produced for Kelela, producing "Keep It Cool" and "Cherry Coffee" on her mixtape Cut 4 Me, and providing a remix of "Keep It Cool" on the deluxe edition.[6][12][13]

Personal life

Latham grew up in Redhill.[10] He later worked as a fashion designer.[14][15]

Discography

Albums

Singles and EPs

  • Refixes 12" (2010)
  • "Magic Drops" (2010)
  • Waterworx EP (2011)
  • "Glide" (2012)
  • Classical Club Mixes (2012)
  • Club Constructions Vol 6 (2013)
  • "Unhappy" (2014)
  • "Proud" (2015)
  • Earthly Versions (2015)
  • Trouble Mixtape (2016)

Songwriting and production credits

More information Title, Year ...

References

  1. [1]
    Wilson, Sophie (25 March 2015). "Weekly Listening: Earl Sweatshirt, Diana Tribute, Jam City and more". Wireless. Radio New Zealand. Retrieved 26 April 2015.
  2. [2]
    Fox, Killian (22 March 2015). "Jam City: Dream a Garden review – a departure from Jack Latham's glossy debut". Guardian. Retrieved 26 April 2015.
  3. [3]
    Petridis, Alexis. "Jam City: Dream a Garden review – modern psychedelia with a dark edge". Guardian. Retrieved 26 April 2015.
  4. [4]
    The Quietus
  5. [5]
    Saxelby, Ruth. "Jam City Is Fighting The System With Love". The Fader. Retrieved 26 April 2015.
  6. [6]
    Macpherson, Alex (19 March 2015). "Jam City's songs of resistance are a reaction to 'living under capitalism', says Jack Latham". The National. Retrieved 26 April 2015.
  7. [7]
    Eede, Christian. "Positive Force: An Interview With Jam City". The Quietus. Retrieved 27 April 2015.
  8. [8]
    "On feeling productive without feeling rushed". thecreativeindependent.com. Retrieved 8 April 2024.
  9. [9]
    Ryce, Andrew. "Jam City - Pillowland · Album Review ⟋ RA". Resident Advisor. Retrieved 8 April 2024.
  10. [10]
    "Cover story: Jam City is living 3 a.m. eternal". Crack Magazine. Retrieved 8 April 2024.
  11. [11]
    Torres, Eric. "Jam City: Jam City Presents EFM". Pitchfork. Retrieved 8 April 2024.
  12. [12]
    Lindsay, Cam. "We Talked to Jam City About His New Protest Record, the Angry But Still Hopeful 'Dream a Garden'". Noisey. Vice. Retrieved 26 April 2015.
  13. [13]
    "Kelela - Cut 4 Me (CD, Album)". Discogs.com. 6 April 2015. Retrieved 30 April 2015.
  14. [14]
    Ravens, Chal (18 February 2015). "Darkest dreaming: Jam City dismantles his world". Fact (UK magazine). The Vinyl Factory. Retrieved 26 April 2015.
  15. [15]
    "Jam City interview and mix". DJ Magazine. Retrieved 26 April 2015.
  16. [16]
    Cape God - Allie X | Album | AllMusic, retrieved 8 April 2024
  17. [17]
    Let's Start Here - Lil Yachty | Album | AllMusic, retrieved 8 April 2024
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