James Blake - Retrogade (Single) (05/04/2013)
James Blake is difficult to define. Electronic, soul, beats, and post-dubstep are all words that could be used to describe his 2011 self-titled debut, and it's subsequent re-tooling of what is and is not okay when it comes to a electronic record is worth remembering when listening to his front-runner single for his new record, 'Overgrown', Retrograde.
As I mentioned above, Blake is a difficult character to define, but if theres something he could be known by, it is passion. In a genre that’s usually lacking in passionately delivered live vocals, Blake has decided to deliver a single that is absolutely dripping with soul, beauty, and a deep set mournfulness, carried along by a gorgeous vocal delivery. The development from his 2011 record shows just how much more human Blakes music has become, opting to tone down his more experimental side to deliver a more accessible track, while at the same time ramping up what makes his music so beautiful and touching.
Beginning with just him and his piano, Blake croons over an off-beat chord progression to open the song, eventually fitting around an even gospel-like steady clap, while Blake introduces us to what I am hoping will be made a continuation of on the full album, his gorgeous falsetto vocals. Lyrics about being alone in a world you created, being forced to show your inner strength when friends leave you; it's sobering stuff, and Blake delivers it with such sincerity it almost brings a tear to the eye.
Eventually, the song hits a climax, or moreso, the climax fades in from the darkness, a veritable wall of synths that appear and are left hanging, filling out the space of the song with a level of grandeur that seems to add a strong level of importance to what Blake is saying. It's important to note as well that the importance remains on the vocals, and the synths manage to find a place where they are at the fore of the song, but not intruding on Blake.
Then, just as they had appeared, the synths finish and we are once again left with Blake's crooning and his piano, to fade out as the song draws to a close.
I don't know what else I can say about this track other than it has left me incredibly excited for Blake's sophomore release later this month. The soulfulness and beauty in his work both as a vocalist and a producer is not to be underestimated, and hopefully he can deliver the same calibre of work on his next release.
Nick Kennedy
As I mentioned above, Blake is a difficult character to define, but if theres something he could be known by, it is passion. In a genre that’s usually lacking in passionately delivered live vocals, Blake has decided to deliver a single that is absolutely dripping with soul, beauty, and a deep set mournfulness, carried along by a gorgeous vocal delivery. The development from his 2011 record shows just how much more human Blakes music has become, opting to tone down his more experimental side to deliver a more accessible track, while at the same time ramping up what makes his music so beautiful and touching.
Beginning with just him and his piano, Blake croons over an off-beat chord progression to open the song, eventually fitting around an even gospel-like steady clap, while Blake introduces us to what I am hoping will be made a continuation of on the full album, his gorgeous falsetto vocals. Lyrics about being alone in a world you created, being forced to show your inner strength when friends leave you; it's sobering stuff, and Blake delivers it with such sincerity it almost brings a tear to the eye.
Eventually, the song hits a climax, or moreso, the climax fades in from the darkness, a veritable wall of synths that appear and are left hanging, filling out the space of the song with a level of grandeur that seems to add a strong level of importance to what Blake is saying. It's important to note as well that the importance remains on the vocals, and the synths manage to find a place where they are at the fore of the song, but not intruding on Blake.
Then, just as they had appeared, the synths finish and we are once again left with Blake's crooning and his piano, to fade out as the song draws to a close.
I don't know what else I can say about this track other than it has left me incredibly excited for Blake's sophomore release later this month. The soulfulness and beauty in his work both as a vocalist and a producer is not to be underestimated, and hopefully he can deliver the same calibre of work on his next release.
Nick Kennedy