James Blake - Friends that Break Your Heart
Genre: Electronic
Score: 8/10
This is the 5th studio album from British DJ, producer, singer, and songwriter James Blake. What to Expect: :
It’s the King of Blue Eyed Soul, so crying, piano, genius production, reverb, and more crying.
Overall: Ok I didn’t cry, but this is still a really great album for James Blake. There was not only piano, but organs, synths, strings, and trap hi hats. He utilizes all of his talents and resources and refines them really impressively into a lean 44 minutes. There were some cool moments, but I did not feel the urge to skip a single song personally. In my opinion, this is his best record since Overgrown. Do check it out, even if you’re new to James Blake.
Play by Play:
Famous Last Words - This is a pretty good intro track. His harmonies with Jameela are great, and the strings sound really sad. She’s credited on a lot of the songs on this record. They both sound great on the album.
Life is not the Same - His vocal manipulations are so subtle but they’re so good. The hook snaps. The beat bumps. The production is mindblowing. It is Blue Eyed Soul in its purest form.
Coming Back (feat SZA) - The Piano Loop sounds like a lo fi hip hop sample even though I know that he played it. He’s so good at just painting a picture just from simple piano chords. His singing is great. SZA’s feature is nothing but net. I have not heard a man apologize and “put the tail between his legs” in a song since the 90s. It’s pretty nostalgic.
Funeral - A progressive R&B crooning odyssey that only James Blake can pull off. The chord progression, lyrics, production, and performance are all fantastic.
Frozen (feat JID & Swavy) - I’m really enjoying how much more progressive rap has been with longer song structures and beat switchups. One of the things that I enjoy the most about James’s collaborations (especially with rappers) is that he’s always pushing out longer songs and more improvised performances. It allows for a lot of his collaborators to perform outside of their comfort zones. Plus the features touch down on this song perfectly like a squad of rapping fighter jets coming after a hip hop dogfight completely unscathed.
I’m So Blessed You're Mine - I love the quiet house synths. James Blake emerges as the King of Reverb on this track. If you want to know how much reverb is the perfect amount, listen to this track. The beat drop reminds me of future garage and house sounds he was tinkering with on his first record. The strings and beat sound very trip hop as well. I keep forgetting how profoundly British this guy is.
Foot Forward - This loop reminds me of Daft Punk oddly enough, despite it being a Metro beat. The additional piano playing is fantastic. Lyrically, James looks forward to a new relationship and a better connection. It’s an inspirational song for the broken-hearted.
Show Me (feat Monica Martin) - It’s a pretty cooldown. Not the most memorable song I’ve heard, but the performances are still great.
Say What You Will - A newly acquired quintessential Blue Eyed Soul track. I love the lyrics and vibe. The production is immaculate. The ballad reminds me of a Beach Boys track. He sounds happier and more confident with his flaws. It’s one of his best songs in a while.
Lost Angel Nights - Oh so that’s why he called it that. It does sound like a midnight drive on the 405.
Friends That Break Your Heart - Love the guitar and the piano. Lyrically I love this track. His friends’ betrayal sounds very real and tangible.
If I’m Insecure - I enjoy the gospel organ chord progression and the echoey minimal beat. It’s a beautiful track. It’s a very endearing moment to tie the entire album together.
Score: 8/10
Favorite Track in Bold
Just my opinion