Album Details

• Artist: James Blake
• Album: James Blake
• Label: R&S Records
• Year of Release: 2011
• ME Rating:
• Reviewed by: MusicCritic on 2011-02-22

James Blake’s debut is shocking. Listening to it, it’s impossible to not sit, mouth agape asking yourself, “is this kid for real? Is this guy really this young? Is this really his debut? “ And the answer to all three is an undeniable yes.

Layered sounds, genre bending (recreating, really), emotional honesty and a very interesting cover of Feist’s ‘Limit to Your Love.’ Each song builds on the previous, layering in another soundscape, another set of instruments, another brutally honest vocal performance. ‘To Care (Like You)’ is likely to be one of the best songs of 2011; emotionally gripping like Antony & the Johnsons, but with a ballsy dubstep rhythm pushing the song forward.

The only weakness on the record is Blake’s youth. At 22, Blake is still raw, not quite adept at emotional variance, and it comes across a little bit one-note emotionally. Every single moment is drenched in sadness and loss. But Blake will grow up, and will be a force to be reckoned with.

Michelle Kennedy

User Reviews and Comments