The new single “jamie xx” from East London country slackers vegas water taxi finds bandleader Ben Hambro in the crosshairs of a tragedy-meets-comedy. It opens as an easygoing, unhurried alt-country tune that initially comes across as a love song. By the time the chorus hits, the song turns into an examination on why we cling to stagnant relationships and build a facade of a life around them. The line “tell me you love me at jamie xx,” is a light, yet harsh puncture wound to the illusion, a simple plea that exposes how brittle the whole arrangement has become.
“jamie xx” will be on vegas water taxi’s new EP, first time listener, which will be out on February 6th. This EP is the dark counterpart to October’s long time caller EP, completing the two-part project where both EPs will combine as a full length album, long time caller, first time listener, released the same day on 12-inch vinyl.
“I wrote this shortly after watching Aftersun… Even though the scene is outwardly joyful—dancing in a club—there’s a deep sadness running through it. It imagines a couple breaking up at a London day festival. I liked the contrast of something quietly devastating unfolding in the middle of all that euphoria, with a few discarded BuzzBalls thrown in to add some real detail to the scene.”
-Ben Hambro on “jamie xx”
“jamie xx” is released ahead of Vegas water taxi’s upcoming album, long time caller, first time listener, out February 6th, 2026 via PNKSLM Recordings. Preorder available here.
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