James Blake

James Blake

Energy prickles through this debut of intent from the London electronic producer and singer/songwriter. Graduating from his dubstep origins, this spare, sensational album mines uniquely low-fi, synth-laden electronic R&B. The dark poetry of his lyrics and stripped back, oboe-like vocal weave magic throughout, notably on the funereal groove of "The Wilhelm Scream" and raw blues piano of yearning Feist cover "Limit to Your Love". Blake's technical trickery—all glitchy future blues ("Why Don't You Call Me", "To Care (Like You)") and spartan vocoder ("Lindisfarne I")—inspired a quiet revolution, with Kanye West, Justin Vernon and Beyoncé all confessed Blake apostles.

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Disc 2

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