Soulful Indie Brit singer James Blake is BACK!

What's that rumbling? It's the trans-atlantic sound of thousands of 20-something women's ovaries vibrating from London's Shoreditch to Brooklyn's Williamsburg to LA's Silverlake as they listen to the peerless James Blake releasing his gorgeous, soulful new single (while doing a lovely job of guest hosting a show on BBC radio, what a nice chap).

"SINGLE REVIEW: "Modern Love" by James Blake

by Lauren Kelly | Redbrick.com

With much anticipation, the Mercury Prize-winning James Blake has returned with a hazy new track, debuted on his BBC Radio 1 residency show. ‘Modern Soul’ arrives following the star’s Field Day festival announcement earlier this month. And, oh my, was it worth the wait.

Safely opening with those recognisable tiptoe piano chords of his, at first, the track appears all a bit too familiar. Fast-forward a few bars and we come to realise that Blake has produced something that is both innovative and refreshing. Amid assured deep-seated lyrics (‘No longer will I defend you&rsquo, the artist expresses a newfound state of mind and soul. Blake has matured. Matured exquisitely at that.

An arrangement of minimal percussion, tantalising drops of piano, and swirls of bass, accompany the artist’s elusive chords. The five-and-a-half-minute song is seemingly a non-stop evolution of sound, flawless texture and stunning production. Although it could be said that ‘Modern Soul’ is not as catchy as the likes of ‘Retrograde’ and ‘Overgrown’, this is not necessarily a bad thing. As overwhelmingly emotional as ever, Blake has produced his most ambient influenced vocals to date - the heartfelt ballad being far more poignant than the artist’s previous works. Believed to be the first track of his third LP, Radio Silence (the London singer has already confirmed that Justin Vernon and Kanye West will be featuring on the album), it appears that we’re in for a treat. Beautifully detailed and eloquently timed, its good to have you back, Blake."

Updated On: 3/5/16 at 07:57 AM

Thanks, I've never listened to him before but meant to. Speaking of Mercury Prize winners, the most recent, Benjamin Clementine, is also quite brilliant. Check him out! I'd post a video or something, but this thread is ostensibly about James Blake. :)

Updated On: 3/5/16 at 11:45 PM

Thanks for the crash course. I'm liking what I hear.