• Record Label: A&M
  • Release Date: Oct 18, 2011
Metascore
64

Generally favorable reviews - based on 12 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 12
  2. Negative: 0 out of 12
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  1. Entertainment Weekly
    Oct 25, 2011
    75
    The silky-voiced Brit's Bon Iver-assisted EP is lush enough to be played at a swanky restaurant, but it may be even better suited to an evening alone with a hard drink. [Oct 2011, p.119]
  2. Oct 13, 2011
    70
    Enough Thunder certainly offers up enough for any Blake fan to both love and hate--and at the end of the day still be entirely unsure of exactly what to hope for.
  3. Oct 11, 2011
    70
    On Enough Thunder, James Blake strips back the effects board and quivering bass for a surprisingly sparse effort, taking on the role of balladeer and even covering Joni Mitchell on his way to an effort that'll divide the droves of fans he's won over since the release of his self-titled debut earlier this year.
  4. Oct 18, 2011
    67
    The singers stately quaver makes it easy to overlook that this is mostly B material.
  5. Oct 11, 2011
    67
    Although this may be a relative disappointment it should not be looked at as the start of a decline, but merely a curiosity in the collection.
  6. Oct 11, 2011
    64
    Blake is fighting the respectable fight on Enough Thunder, though the EP's totally bass-less tracks show that he needs dubstep as much as dubstep needs him.
  7. Oct 21, 2011
    60
    Though not a stand-out EP, James Blake is to be commended for attempting the path of the latter.
  8. Oct 18, 2011
    60
    It's the extraordinary ordinariness, sophisticated simplicity, that redeems all this: even when bass drums calmly clatter wall-to-wall like hungover flies in a jar, there's a gentle edge that's mellow and mellifluous, distant yet direct.
  9. Nov 8, 2011
    55
    The EP does have some great moments, and ironically it's when Blake drops the dubset and channels his classical piano roots.
  10. 50
    His considerable production chops can't disguise that his songwriting too often feels half-formed.
  11. Oct 11, 2011
    47
    There are flashes of the brilliance that made the youngster such a trendy buzzname, but it's hard work wading through the awkward muck.
  12. Nov 11, 2011
    40
    He composes rich, intimate electronic and acoustic soundscapes that suggest myriad emotions and intriguing songwriting possibilities. As a singer, however, he's maudlin.
User Score
7.3

Generally favorable reviews- based on 26 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 17 out of 26
  2. Negative: 1 out of 26
  1. Jan 31, 2015
    9
    I can honestly say that James Blake is the master of melancholy for this generation. If there is another artist out there who is usingI can honestly say that James Blake is the master of melancholy for this generation. If there is another artist out there who is using technotronic melodies to convey such a deep longing, i haven't heard them yet. Fall Creek Boys Choir conveys such deep emotion (albeit you may not understand a single word of the lyrics) that reverberates unendingly. Blake even proves his chops at a more minimalistic style in A Case of You, proving that his sound is still amazing even when reduced to just his voice and the keys in front of him. I have no reservations in saying that James Blake may be the future of sad soul; whether he intends to pioneer that genre or not, he is succeeding. There is no better music being made in the 21st century to listen to over some Coffee and Cigarettes. Full Review »
  2. Oct 30, 2012
    5
    'Enough Thunder' was a bit of a letdown because it was missing that electronic edge that James Blake's previous work included. I wanted'Enough Thunder' was a bit of a letdown because it was missing that electronic edge that James Blake's previous work included. I wanted another 'Unluck' or 'The Wilhelm Scream', but it was filled with songs that I just couldn't connect with. But his voice is fantastic, which is why I'll give it a 5. Full Review »
  3. Jan 30, 2019
    10
    I'm surprised this is the lowest scoring of James' releases here on Metacritic; personally, this is my favourite of his records. The wholeI'm surprised this is the lowest scoring of James' releases here on Metacritic; personally, this is my favourite of his records. The whole album seems to soar, weightless, while nevertheless maintaining a grounded sense of depth and melancholy. "Once We All Agree" stumbles and soars; "We Might Feel Unsound" wanes like a sunset; "Not Long Know" (my favourite James Blake track of all time) builds and builds and builds and never quite releases. The tracks here quickly grab hold—and simply refuse to ever let go. Full Review »