James Blake
by James Blake
User Score
8.3

Universal acclaim- based on 171 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 148 out of 171
  2. Mixed: 16 out of 171
  3. Negative: 7 out of 171
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  1. All_ButTrU4
    Oct 25, 2021
    9
    Beautiful. Affecting. Gorgeous .
    Highlights :Lindesfarne I&II,I never learnt to share,Wilhelm screan
  2. Mamacoca
    Feb 25, 2020
    10
    James Blake can really touch your soul with few notes. Sometimes his works looks so simple... but they are also deep and addictive! "Limit to Your Love" is the best example.
  3. Gui_Dave
    Nov 25, 2015
    10
    James Blake's unique sound and originality makes him one of the most original producers of his era. This album is such an incredible expeience, floating somewhere between sound experimentation and delicate songwriting. Easily one of the most defining electronic music albums I have ever heard. James Blake has this genius touch that is so adaptable te record oscillates between not-so-classicJames Blake's unique sound and originality makes him one of the most original producers of his era. This album is such an incredible expeience, floating somewhere between sound experimentation and delicate songwriting. Easily one of the most defining electronic music albums I have ever heard. James Blake has this genius touch that is so adaptable te record oscillates between not-so-classic piano/voice soul compositions and tortured deep electronica. A masterpiece.… Expand
  4. VictorAkinola
    Apr 21, 2015
    10
    Incredible piece of work, Airy in tones, effective in speech. The present that is delivered to us by James Blake is a Futuristic, engaging, unique, rare. Committed at times and tentative in a pragmatic manner. The Sonics, are dream state Soul electronic infused. It leaves the audience in awe, it Grabs you by the ear and shivers slowly to your spine. It is a raw medicine tablet that wasIncredible piece of work, Airy in tones, effective in speech. The present that is delivered to us by James Blake is a Futuristic, engaging, unique, rare. Committed at times and tentative in a pragmatic manner. The Sonics, are dream state Soul electronic infused. It leaves the audience in awe, it Grabs you by the ear and shivers slowly to your spine. It is a raw medicine tablet that was presented in blackcurrant Lemsip format. The listener would not pic it on the outlook but when it is tasted, you realize its what you need. 'Limit to your Love' glows mixing wayward arps and places them neatly next to soulful chords. Engaging and nevertheless creative. Never a dull moment in this Futuristic sonic pallet.… Expand
  5. XavierBlaq
    Dec 27, 2013
    10
    Considered an important moment in the emerging genre, Post-Dubstep, from the time of its release, this debut album from James Blake is absolutely amazing. Though Post-Dubstep is definitely an appropriate label for the album, tracks like "I Mind", "Limit To Your Love" (a cover of a Feist song, by the way), "The Wilhelm Scream", and the short interludes "Why Don't You Call Me" and "Give MeConsidered an important moment in the emerging genre, Post-Dubstep, from the time of its release, this debut album from James Blake is absolutely amazing. Though Post-Dubstep is definitely an appropriate label for the album, tracks like "I Mind", "Limit To Your Love" (a cover of a Feist song, by the way), "The Wilhelm Scream", and the short interludes "Why Don't You Call Me" and "Give Me My Month" defy this label and show how wildly experimental James Blake really is. This one is mind-blowing from its brilliant opener, "Unluck", to its soulful finale, "Measurements", and in between contains songs that use the emotional elements of R&B/Soul and the hypnotic qualities of electronic music to its fullest potential.… Expand
  6. Interweave
    Jun 20, 2013
    10
    This album, My favorite of 2011, unlike anything I've heard. Maybe I haven't listened to enough to say that, but James Blake has created such an incredible bridge between soulful singing and wonderful electronics- he should collaborate with other artists more often, his beats would do beyond justice to other's talents.
  7. Calciferus
    Jun 3, 2013
    10
    With stark minimal beat, fuses with James' deep soulful voice made his debut album a piece of distinctive record. It has its complexity as an electronic music yet somehow managed to stayed light, like post music in general. A marvel. Highlight tracks: I Never Learnt to Share, Unluck, Limit to Your Love, Wilhelm Scream
  8. Kamal_Voltaic
    Oct 30, 2012
    8
    Certainly one of the best albums of 2011.
    I usually like Dance-Pop, but this album has really stood out. I just love the use of the Electronica in songs like the powerful 'Unluck' or 'I Mind'. The echoing and the pauses create a haunting, beautiful effect.
    I guess some people will inevitably give it 10/10, but I don't see it as flawless.
  9. Vampire25
    Oct 26, 2012
    9
    James Blake is unlike any artist I've ever had the pleasure of listening too. He's an experimental, electronic, soul artist that, to me, sounds like Bon Iver if he was an electronic musician. He writes music that is completely original and doesn't stray away from what HE wants, not what anyone else wants or expects from a typical singer-songwriter. His minimalist approach to his style isJames Blake is unlike any artist I've ever had the pleasure of listening too. He's an experimental, electronic, soul artist that, to me, sounds like Bon Iver if he was an electronic musician. He writes music that is completely original and doesn't stray away from what HE wants, not what anyone else wants or expects from a typical singer-songwriter. His minimalist approach to his style is beautiful, at times extremely haunting. Since I first heard this album, most of the songs have stayed with me. I can't help but continually go back to it. All In All, James Blake's self-titled debut is nothing short of fantastic and it's something that might be a little hard for people to really delve themselves into, but it's intoxicating from start to finish. A-… Expand
  10. hydrawithears
    Nov 20, 2011
    8
    The debut studio album by James Blake surprisingly managed to climb to the UK Top 10. It was also the first release of 2011 to receive a 9.0 rating from Pitchfork. Now, if this is not an accomplishment, then what is? But James Blake deserves all the buzz for one reason only: itâ
  11. iamanicon
    Sep 5, 2011
    8
    Why do i have to write 150 words when James Blake's soulful, exciting and saddening album can only be expressed through the word - WOW.
  12. MGP
    Jul 7, 2011
    10
    I love his album. And also his releases with Hemlock. His music sounds deep, making my soul vibrate. I wasn't interesting in electronic music before I listened to him. Now I'm crazy about it!
  13. Dingo
    Jun 30, 2011
    10
    Immaculate, affecting, addictive. James Blake takes the cake. I Never Learnt to Share is perfect. Lindesfarne II is gourgeous. I'm not sure if the album is greater than the sum of its parts because I can't count that high.
  14. vmd1020
    Jun 2, 2011
    10
    This has been the surprise of the year for me. I'll be honest, I heard the album and then the EPs...I still haven't really gotten into the EPs but the album is flawless. It is perfectly simple and its minimalist elements turn out to be its strongest selling points. Stand out tracks to me are "The Wilhelm Scream," "I Never Learnt to Share," "Lindisfare," "Limit to Your Love," and "WhyThis has been the surprise of the year for me. I'll be honest, I heard the album and then the EPs...I still haven't really gotten into the EPs but the album is flawless. It is perfectly simple and its minimalist elements turn out to be its strongest selling points. Stand out tracks to me are "The Wilhelm Scream," "I Never Learnt to Share," "Lindisfare," "Limit to Your Love," and "Why Don't You Call Me." As you see by so many highlights, this album is awesome. The other tracks are great as well but there are my favorites.… Expand
  15. Calamus
    Apr 3, 2011
    8
    The best song on this album is a cover, but the same was true of Terence Trent D'Arby's debut. I'm not comparing them (maybe a little) but I like how they are inheriting soul and making it new.
  16. Zavadovski
    Apr 3, 2011
    9
    It's ironic that the first full length release from an artist now seen by some as the poster boy of dubstep actually bears very little resemblance to dubstep at all. Rather than the distorted bass usually associated with the genre, Blake seeps his album in an isolated minimalism, fusing elements of soul with icy electronics. The lingering pauses in some of the more introverted songs wouldIt's ironic that the first full length release from an artist now seen by some as the poster boy of dubstep actually bears very little resemblance to dubstep at all. Rather than the distorted bass usually associated with the genre, Blake seeps his album in an isolated minimalism, fusing elements of soul with icy electronics. The lingering pauses in some of the more introverted songs would grow frustrating if they didn't work so well, as this is an album that exudes loneliness, the theme even extending to the lyrics which are often built from one ambiguous line (Why Don't You Call Me, I Never Learnt to Share). While the uncompromising nature of the record may deter some, in reality this merely focuses attention on the mournful seclusion that serves as the foundation for the album's soundscapes. With such a restricted palette, it's difficult to see how Blake will be able to progress and still retain the uniqueness, but as seen with the sheer level of focus found on this album, he's already broken more ground in one release than some artists could hope to in an entire career.… Collapse
  17. imaginarysounds
    Mar 27, 2011
    7
    James Black is an album of experimentations, and that's fine if that's the way you look at it. The songs are not conventional at all--they aren't even songs as much as they are motifs of sound. That said, the experiments are wonderful if not entrancing and hypnotic, and James Blake's voice is incredibly soulful.

    Hopefully though in the future we can see him doing something a bit more    James Black is an album of experimentations, and that's fine if that's the way you look at it. The songs are not conventional at all--they aren't even songs as much as they are motifs of sound. That said, the experiments are wonderful if not entrancing and hypnotic, and James Blake's voice is incredibly soulful.

    Hopefully though in the future we can see him doing something a bit more cohesive. Sure, keep experimenting Blake, but i'd like to see some applied learning too.    … Expand
  18. jyo_tirmaya
    Mar 23, 2011
    9
    This album is lush with minimalism. James allows for some time for his listeners to absorb what they just heard and anticipate what they will hear next, and what I hear next is very good. His music is being compared to The xx and I don't get that comparison too much at all. I didnt' like The xx, and I compare this more to Radiohead. My senses come alive even though the music is oftenThis album is lush with minimalism. James allows for some time for his listeners to absorb what they just heard and anticipate what they will hear next, and what I hear next is very good. His music is being compared to The xx and I don't get that comparison too much at all. I didnt' like The xx, and I compare this more to Radiohead. My senses come alive even though the music is often so dense -- dense with gorgeous sounds of silence, music and lyric. This album is a gem and well worth some of your currency.… Expand
  19. cmcdonald5
    Feb 19, 2011
    10
    What a brilliant album. The vocals are mature, subtle, toned down, patient. James Blake has really come into his own with this. Absolutely ground breaking.
  20. mthrndr
    Feb 10, 2011
    8
    This album really bares no relation to dubstep. I'd call it post-millennial R&B. It's brilliant, experimental, exploring the use of silence as a rhythm tool. The last section of "I never learnt to share" is probably the filthiest beat I've heard in the last year. The fact that this is a 22-year old kid puts us into Aphex Twin territory.
  21. football101
    Feb 9, 2011
    9
    James Blake's new world dubstep is awe-inspiring. This is a new genre, if most aren't already aware of his innovation from "Limit to Your Love," Feist's heart-wrenching love tale about love and it's inevitable extinction. He takes the elements of dubstep, and what we know of it, and fuses soul with latent piano drools. This album may be the best of the year so far, and may be the top ofJames Blake's new world dubstep is awe-inspiring. This is a new genre, if most aren't already aware of his innovation from "Limit to Your Love," Feist's heart-wrenching love tale about love and it's inevitable extinction. He takes the elements of dubstep, and what we know of it, and fuses soul with latent piano drools. This album may be the best of the year so far, and may be the top of the year as a whole, right alongside Bright Eyes' "The People's Key."… Expand
  22. whalestep
    Feb 9, 2011
    10
    A truly brilliant album. Blake has taken the most distinctive elements of dubstep, stripped them down to their most minimal core, and infused the result with a soulfulness rarely found in contemporary music. It's beyond words and beyond anything anyone has done, and is undoubtedly the best album of 2011.

Awards & Rankings

99
#99 Best Album of 2011
45
#45 Most Discussed Album of 2011
3
#3 Most Shared Album of 2011

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
81

Universal acclaim - based on 38 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 31 out of 38
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 38
  3. Negative: 0 out of 38
  1. The Wire
    Apr 28, 2011
    80
    Like Portishead, this album may very well achieve background ubiquity, but that should not be allowed to obscure the strangeness and currency of this record. [Mar 2011, p.46]
  2. Entertainment Weekly
    Apr 8, 2011
    75
    An intriguing concept, not always fully realized. [1 Apr 2011, p.77]
  3. Mojo
    Apr 6, 2011
    80
    London singer-songwriter attempts to annex the middle ground between Benga and Anthony Hegarty. [March 2011, p. 96]
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