After months of anticipation comes the official release of Jamie xx's debut solo single 'Far Nearer' on Glasgow's 'Numbers' label. The initial news and consequent radio leak of the release stemmed from an innocent airing by Jamie of a demo track, when The xx dropped in to a radio show to discuss their recent prestigious UK Mercury Prize win in late 2010. Within hours the track had spread across the Internet, appearing on blogs and music sites ranging from the credible to underground, including a slightly disturbing appearance on Britney Spears' blog. The clamour isn't that surprising given that Jamie was behind one of the defining albums of 2010, and then went on to own the first half of 2011 with his acclaimed entire-album-reworking of the late Gil Scott Herons 'I'm New Here' and his masterful remix of Adele's multi-million selling 'Rolling In The Deep'. You can add the rumours that he's been working with Canadian Hip-Hop star Drake into the mix as well. Not bad for a guy who can still be seen at London's FWD on the odd cold Thursday night banging out twelves over Plastic People's fearsome sound system. The lead track is an understated yet powerful production, its ecstatic, steel drum-driven rhythm merging beautifully with its pitch bent and re-interpreted vocal phrase "I Feel Better When I Have You Near Me". Countering the sweetness of Far Nearer is B-side track 'Beat For', a dark and brooding beast blending half-remembered rave hooks with the same sense of rhythm and space that characterizes Jamie's work with The xx.