James Blake (album)
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James Blake is the debut studio album by London-based dubstep producer James Blake. It was released in both the United Kingdom and the United States on his own label, ATLAS, supported by A&M Records,[1] on 7 February 2011.[2] The release was supported with the release of its first single, "Limit to Your Love", on 28 November 2010.[2]
The album's details, including artwork and track listing, were announced on 20 December 2010. The album was leaked the next day.[3][4][5]
Background
James Blake builds on the material released by Blake as three EPs in 2010: The Bells Sketch, CMYK and Klavierwerke. All three EPs have differing musical styles.[6] Mike Powell of online music magazine Pitchfork noted it was "amazing" that so much material could be released in such a short period of time.[6] However, despite the amount of music released by Blake in 2010, most of the material on his debut album is completely new.[7]
In interviews about the album, Blake cited fellow Londoners the xx as an influence, telling Clash's Robin Murray their success with debut xx "made it a lot easier for me".[8] He added that the band's acclaim meant listeners "are gonna be a lot less shocked by [this album]".[8]
Blake, speaking to Jo Youle and Mark Savage of the BBC, said that a lot of the vocals on the album were by him, despite relying more heavily on samples in previous work. "There are times when it might seem there's a sample being used, but I've just sampled myself. That's what makes this record special compared to everything [else] I've done."[9]
Before the album's release, Blake was named in both BBC's "Sound of 2011" shortlist, and came second to Jessie J in the running for the BRIT Awards' Critics' Choice Award.[10]
Critical reception
Critical reception has so far been positive; The Observer's Kitty Empire said James Blake is "already one of the most critically anticipated albums of 2011".[11] The album has also been described as "a sort of dubstep Nebraska or Sea Change, a record filled with self-revelation, introspection, and naked humanity."[5] Appearing as their cover star as THE new act to watch in 2011, Clash (magazine) hailed Blake as "The crown prince of the quiet revolution".[12]
Track listing
All tracks written by James Blake, except "Limit To Your Love" (Feist/Gonzales).[13]
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Unluck" | 3:04 |
| 2. | "The Wilhelm Scream" | 4:36 |
| 3. | "I Never Learnt to Share" | 4:52 |
| 4. | "Lindisfarne I" | 2:43 |
| 5. | "Lindisfarne II" | 2:59 |
| 6. | "Limit to Your Love" | 4:40 |
| 7. | "Give Me My Month" | 1:54 |
| 8. | "To Care (Like You)" | 3:54 |
| 9. | "Why Don't You Call Me" | 1:36 |
| 10. | "I Mind" | 3:35 |
| 11. | "Measurements" | 4:21 |
References
- ^ "James Blake lets slip album release date, possible title". Drowned in Sound. Retrieved 7 January 2011.
- ^ a b Ryan Dombal (22 November 2010). "James Blake Announces Debut Album". Pitchfork Media. Retrieved 7 January 2011.
- ^ "Leaked: James Blake – James Blake". jpsblog.net. Retrieved 7 January 2011.
- ^ Jakob Dorof (7 January 2011). "James Blake - James Blake". Tiny Mix Tapes. Retrieved 7 January 2011.
- ^ a b "The Artist as a Young Man: A Review of James Blake".
- ^ a b Mike Powell (16 December 2010). "Staff Lists: The Top 50 Albums of 2010". Pitchfork Media. Retrieved 7 January 2011.
- ^ "James Blake's album tracklist and artwork revealed". FACT. 20 December 2011. Retrieved 7 January 2011.
- ^ a b "James Blake Discusses The xx Influence". Clash. 6 January 2011. Retrieved 7 January 2011.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|work=(help); Text "Clash Music Latest Breaking Music News" ignored (help) - ^ Jo Youle, Mark Savage (6 January 2011). "BBC Sound of 2011: James Blake". BBC. Retrieved 7 January 2011.
- ^ "James Blake reveals debut album tracklisting". NME. Retrieved 7 January 2011.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|work=(help) - ^ "James Blake – review". The Observer. Retrieved 7 January 2011.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|work=(help) - ^ "Ones To Watch 2011 - James Blake Interview". Clash (magazine). Retrieved 12 January 2011.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|work=(help) - ^ "James Blake Album Details - 20 Dec 2010". Clash. 20 December 2010. Retrieved 7 January 2011.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|work=(help); Text "Clash Music Latest Breaking Music News" ignored (help)