User Score
8.3

Universal acclaim- based on 171 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Negative: 7 out of 171
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
  1. 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.
  2. 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!
  3. 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
  4. 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
  5. 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.
  6. 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
  7. 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
  8. 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.
  9. 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. Expand
  10. 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.
  11. 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.
  12. Mar 4, 2011
    6
    There's an overriding impression that Blake is trying desperately hard to create an album of sonic originality, but textured calculations, modernist machine beats and vocoders can't replace traditional songwriting, of which there's simply not enough of on this debut
  13. 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
  14. 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.
  15. Feb 9, 2011
    4
    This album was over hyped and is now overrated. Its not really a bad album just completely boring. I will agree with everyone and say that the production is great but that's it. The autotune really doesn't do anything for me and in most cases it makes the songs worse. This album is really nothing more than slowed down Dubstep with heavy R&B influences. On "The Wilhelm Scream" I swear heThis album was over hyped and is now overrated. Its not really a bad album just completely boring. I will agree with everyone and say that the production is great but that's it. The autotune really doesn't do anything for me and in most cases it makes the songs worse. This album is really nothing more than slowed down Dubstep with heavy R&B influences. On "The Wilhelm Scream" I swear he even sounds like Aaron Nevil. Its not surprising that the best song on the album is the cover of Feist's "Limit to your Love", but even on the best track Blake had to add in weird pauses that really disrupt the flow of the song. Like I said before over hyped and overrated. Just a splattering of experimental music done in a minimalistic style. Nothing overly special. Collapse
  16. 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.
  17. 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
  18. 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
  19. Dec 21, 2011
    4
    I found this album boring and full of useless electronic arrangements that makes this album unpleasant. In my opinion this album is extremely overrated and I can't see any future in this artist.
  20. Jul 30, 2012
    4
    I really tried to like this album. After two full listens, I found myself floating inside an utterly boring record, with uninspired melodies and poor produced songs. The only positive view I could give is about the high level of Blake's songwriting and his voice, that has a special tone within. But, it is still one of the most over-hyped albums of past year.
  21. Feb 12, 2012
    0
    James Blake is an overhyped indie artist with nothing really behind his pretentious music style... People praise The Wilhelm Scream without actually realising that it was his father who wrote the song. The production is dull, and overall, this release is boring.
  22. 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
  23. 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
  24. 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.
  25. 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
  26. Oct 25, 2021
    9
    Beautiful. Affecting. Gorgeous .
    Highlights :Lindesfarne I&II,I never learnt to share,Wilhelm screan
  27. Oct 29, 2021
    6
    I fell in love with James Blake only in 2019 when he released the (nearly) excellent 'Assume Form'. I listened to his eponymous album in order to take a look to his deepest roots. Obviously the major and infectious hit 'Limit to Your Love' already got me. I couldn't predict this song were the only one in its category on James Blake's album.

    Here the artist is far more experimental as he
    I fell in love with James Blake only in 2019 when he released the (nearly) excellent 'Assume Form'. I listened to his eponymous album in order to take a look to his deepest roots. Obviously the major and infectious hit 'Limit to Your Love' already got me. I couldn't predict this song were the only one in its category on James Blake's album.

    Here the artist is far more experimental as he continues to blur the lines separating popular genres as dubtep, R&B, alternative pop, ambient electro and pure instrumental ballads. Of course he tone, his singing and song-writing remain as notable as amazing, but the overall level of repetitivity in this record made me lower the score. All along it seems like something meaningul, terrific or gigantic is about to come but eventually never happens. So frustrating. For example, 'The Wilhelm Scream' and 'Unluck' appear to be two songs based on a never-ending crescendo. 'I Mind' is surprising at first glance but to me it ended up being very hard to listen to from the beginning to the end. Repetitiveness is the biggest flaw here and totally ruined songs as 'I Never Learnt To Share', 'To Care (Like You)', 'I Mind' (again) or 'Lindisfarne II'. Yet they were very pleasant tracks during my first approach of the record.

    Many tracks sounds unstructured, drafty, and surely it is what Blake wanted to reach but to me we are in a messy part of experimental music. Can't help but thinking the singer wasted some of his potential here.
    Expand
  28. 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.
Metascore
81

Universal acclaim - based on 38 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 31 out of 38
  2. 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]