Blood
by Lianne La Havas
  • Record Label: Nonesuch
  • Release Date: Jul 31, 2015
User Score
8.5

Universal acclaim- based on 53 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 48 out of 53
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 53
  3. Negative: 1 out of 53
Buy Now
Buy on

Review this album

  1. Your Score
    0 out of 10
    Rate this:
    • 10
    • 9
    • 8
    • 7
    • 6
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1
    • 0
    • 0
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling
view
per page
  1. thaleslucas
    Aug 1, 2015
    9
    Close to be a perfect album, "Blood" comes like a big job from Lianne La Havas.

    Maybe it can't be so good like "Is Your Love A Big Enough?", but it brings a Lianne mature and very stronger, a new and grew woman. The album is so professional and a little bit homogenic, but still amazing. Tracks like "Unstoppable", "Tokyo", "Midnight" and "Grow" make the album go high and hit an    Close to be a perfect album, "Blood" comes like a big job from Lianne La Havas.

    Maybe it can't be so good like "Is Your Love A Big Enough?", but it brings a Lianne mature and very stronger, a new and grew woman. The album is so professional and a little bit homogenic, but still amazing.

    Tracks like "Unstoppable", "Tokyo", "Midnight" and "Grow" make the album go high and hit an amazing power and glory. But... It keeps a little boring in some tracks like "Wonderful" and "Never Get Enough".

    At last, finally Lianne came back to us. She deserve more success.    … Expand
  2. mabernethy
    Jul 31, 2015
    8
    Lianne La Havas is a breath of fresh air. Her music joyful, poised, and classy, and her strong songwriting -- filled with clever metaphors and allegories -- is anchored by her feathery voice. The whole album floats along effortlessly. Even the bossa nova freakout, "Never Get Enough," is daring without being showy. Blood is a throwback album and a reminder of the simple pleasures in life.
  3. HoldOn
    Aug 1, 2015
    10
    Amazing vocals and lyrics!! This album is really a great evolution from Lianne La Havas. By so far, this is the best of her... Cause wonderful song is on this.

    Favorite tracks: "Green & Gold", "Grow" & "Unstoppable". ♥
  4. stfuadam
    Dec 24, 2015
    9
    This is a stellar album, very underrated and by far one of 2015's strongest. My favourite tracks are ''Green & Gold'', ''Tokyo'', ''What You Don't Do'' and ''Midnight''.
  5. morbidlyobese
    Sep 10, 2015
    9
    Lianne La Havas delivers brilliantly in this new album. A perfect blend of Pop and Neo-Soul, she paints solid pictures with her composition and lyrics. The subject matter is many times par-the-course for most pop songs, but Lianne like to put twists that skew a song from its assumed direction. "What You Don't Do" is a great example of this; taking a pretty normal concept and executing itLianne La Havas delivers brilliantly in this new album. A perfect blend of Pop and Neo-Soul, she paints solid pictures with her composition and lyrics. The subject matter is many times par-the-course for most pop songs, but Lianne like to put twists that skew a song from its assumed direction. "What You Don't Do" is a great example of this; taking a pretty normal concept and executing it in a refreshing way.
    Also, the compositions are almost flawless. Everything from the textured and layered "wall of sound" on "Unstoppable", to the brilliant guitar riff on "Tokyo", to the simple guitar ballad in "Ghost", is done with care and respect for the song's intended tone.
    Not to mention Lianne herself, who delivered song after song of powerful belting. She sounds better than ever, and it really shows.
    Probably my biggest complaint about "Blood" is it's lack of buildup during songs. Lianne is great at making nice, complete phrases that come at you off the bat, but neglects actually maturing those phrases as the song goes on. A minor complaint, but it adds to the overall lack of really memorable moments on the album.
    Overall a really solid album and a great unique sound is the promise of Blood. Lianne La Havas has shown herself as a remarkable artist, and I only hope she can continue to create stuff like this in the future.    … Expand
  6. BizerSan
    Aug 17, 2015
    9
    This Album could have been the normal high quality work of a piano-bar interpret (or a talent show winner). Lianne La Havas however manages to establish her unique singing style, and suddenly the melodies get lots more personality.
    It's not very often that we get new pop-streamed songs that sound unlike anything published before, but not too experimental and distorted.
  7. anotherjerk
    Aug 31, 2015
    10
    Blood is the definition of a soulful voice and person. Lianne sophomore album is a grace for everyone 's ears. She manages to express beautiful melodies and good vibes. Well done.
  8. ibetyou
    Nov 14, 2015
    10
    Lianne La Havas has grown up, branched out, written some devastatingly honest songs, and presented a highly competent album. On Blood she largely succeeds in harnessing her instrument to reveal the thoughts within. Big isn’t always better, but it tends towards triumph here.
  9. poetsofswift
    Jun 26, 2017
    9
    Not only Lianne La Havas is an amazing singer but she's also an excellent song-writer and guitarist. Blood is an highly underrated album, it's catchy and meaningful at the same time.
  10. nikabamma
    Oct 21, 2020
    10
    Blood has such an enchantment... It's like an portal to a dimension of peace, calm and depth of feelings, where we can rest on the voice of Lianne. I cannot give a score smaller than the maximum. The woman did it, guys!

Awards & Rankings

100
#100 Most Discussed Album of 2015

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
72

Generally favorable reviews - based on 22 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 22
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 22
  3. Negative: 0 out of 22
  1. Clash Music
    Aug 17, 2015
    60
    Lianne La Havas has grown up, branched out, written some devastatingly honest songs, and presented a highly competent album.
    Read full review
  2. musicOMH.com
    Aug 3, 2015
    70
    On Blood she largely succeeds in harnessing her instrument to reveal the thoughts within. Big isn’t always better, but it tends towards triumph here.
    Read full review
  3. The Observer (UK)
    Aug 3, 2015
    60
    The feather-light touch of La Havas’s voice can be deceptive; for all her apparent ease, there are sufficient quirks and depths to her writing, not least the scientific analogies on Wonderful (electricity) and Unstoppable (astrophysics).
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »