James Blake – Before EP
Genre: Electronic
Score: 8/10
James Blake has grown to be one of the most influential singer songwriters of the past decade. His debut CYNK EP shook the indie blogosphere at the time of its release, with influences of electronic styles of music native to the UK like UK house, IDM and future garage. His incredible self-titled debut album still influences mainstream electronic DJs and pop stars to this day. His second album, Retrograde, very much coined the term “Blue Eyed Soul” and remains a highlight in alternative R&B. His third album was a pretty interesting but pretty indulgent set of tracks that ran more like a sketchbook than an album, and his latest album Assume Form, was a pretty well-built set of electronic pop songs with some really cool hip hop and R&B sounds and incredible features. Thematically, he will probably sing about love, as he usually does. But what direction will his sound go?
Overall: This is the catchiest and most danceable that James Blake’s sound has been since his debut EP. I just wish there was more.
Play by Play:
1. I Keep Calling – As soon as he started singing, I thought “yup. He’s back.” I’m glad he’s going back to basics with sampling again. This song is noticeably groovier than his previous work. The future garage beat reminds me of Burial’s later EPs. His vocal edits get increasingly glitchier. His soundcrafting abilities are still very impressive. When the instrumental swells, his crooning ties it back to the hook. Despite the sounds in the song being so sparse, each sound is treated so carefully. This is a banger.
2. Before – James is definitely going back to a groovier club and electronic direction, which is a refreshing change of pace from the slow and sultry balladry he was doing on his most recent records. The understated drum timbres sound so classically dubby and glitchy and remind me of late 2000s early 2010 techno and IDM artists like Four Tet and Jon Hopkins. Lyrically, he’s processing how effortlessly he is navigating thru his relationship. The deep house beat reminds me a bit of Aphex Twin as well.
3. Do You Ever – I love his sampled piano runs. The glitchy harmonies are intoxicating. I love the groove of this beat. All of those recording sessions that he had with Travis and the Flatbush Zombies are really starting to show. His singing in this is particularly good. It sounds like an understated R&B cut. Despite different parts of the song cascading over each other, the sounds in this song and the production so far on this album is really good.
4. Summer of Now – I love that opening vocal line and how the organ comes in. He’s in his feelings again. That’s real. I like the theme of growth on this song. The drums filtered over his vocals is also a really weird risk, even for James Blake’s taste. It’s a sweet finish to a short EP.
Score: 8/10
Favorite Track in Bold
Just my opinion