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Overgrown Image
Metascore
82

Universal acclaim - based on 40 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 187 Ratings

  • Summary: The second release for the British electronic artist includes a track produced by Brian Eno and another track with RZA as a guest performer.
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Top Track

Retrograde
You're on your own In a world you've grown Few more years to go Don't let the hurdle fall So be the girl you loved ... Be the girl you... See the rest of the song lyrics
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 35 out of 40
  2. Negative: 0 out of 40
  1. 100
    In 1996, The Fugees set the whole urban blues thing in motion with The Score. With a work of such stark emotional beauty, Blake has picked up the torch once again with Overgrown.
  2. Apr 9, 2013
    90
    While it might take listeners a few spins to find the right head space for the album, once they get there, it's an easy place to get lost in.
  3. Apr 9, 2013
    85
    While James Blake felt aloof, even ahuman, Overgrown is packed with feeling, and releases it with the smallest of gestures.
  4. 80
    Overgrown is a heartening step in the right direction, and reassurance that Blake’s talents are far from on the wane.
  5. It’s not an easy listen, but it may just be one of the most nuanced, soothing and adventurous of 2013.
  6. Apr 11, 2013
    70
    In a strange mistake of sequencing, Blake frontloads Overgrown with its least interesting material.
  7. Apr 12, 2013
    40
    The object of his lamentations is conveniently out of reach, hence the constant cat-and-mouse game between enunciation and melisma. When Blake sees fit to loop a phrase or attempt a chorus, the undertaking breaks down under its own weight.

See all 40 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 20 out of 22
  2. Negative: 0 out of 22
  1. Jan 29, 2014
    10
    holy crap. James Blake really out did himself on this one. Absolutely amazing, loved how he is able to take simple melodies and evolve themholy crap. James Blake really out did himself on this one. Absolutely amazing, loved how he is able to take simple melodies and evolve them into something grandiose. Expand
  2. Sep 1, 2013
    10
    Oh good Lord the soul crushing beauty of the tracks 'Overgrown' and 'Retrograde' are enough to earn this album a space in the Top Ten AlbumsOh good Lord the soul crushing beauty of the tracks 'Overgrown' and 'Retrograde' are enough to earn this album a space in the Top Ten Albums of the Year on their own. Thankfully though they are nestled in a dark, glistening concoction of yet more of Blake's soul oozing masterpieces. 'Overgrown' sounds like a journey underground. You never know where you're gonna surface or how deep you're going to go. Blake steers you through the labyrinth of his creation, depositing you reluctantly back in real life at the end of it. 'Digital Lion' has been played on my iPod multiple times daily since it's release. Collapse
  3. Sep 23, 2014
    10
    This album sounds so good in a way that I can't explain and James control his vocals with attitude. Here's my favorite's top 5:
    1 -
    This album sounds so good in a way that I can't explain and James control his vocals with attitude. Here's my favorite's top 5:
    1 - Retrograde
    2 - Overgrown
    3 - Life Round Here
    4 - Voyeur
    5 - I Am Sold
    Expand
  4. Apr 9, 2013
    10
    Overgrown contains some of his best work to date. Pushing back the experimentation from his Self-Titled & dub from his EP's. he marchesOvergrown contains some of his best work to date. Pushing back the experimentation from his Self-Titled & dub from his EP's. he marches forward with his production & songwriting, both are getting stronger, resulting in an amazing follow-up, probably containing some of his most well-crafted tracks in his career. Expand
  5. Apr 9, 2013
    10
    James Blake is an artist coming out of his shell. Originally he didn't even like his singing voice, but release by release his vocals haveJames Blake is an artist coming out of his shell. Originally he didn't even like his singing voice, but release by release his vocals have become more and more the core fragment of his synthesis, and all the better for it. Expanding on his song-writing and knack for strong vocal melodies, and pushing his production back into the form of restrained beats, which elevate his vocal ability to a higher level, Overgrown is a refinement in every aspect of his debut LP, and a bold step into the realm of more traditional song structures. It is therefore warmer and more accessible than his previous work, which should hopefully earn a fair few fans before taking off into electronic experimentation, carrying his fans along with him. Expand
  6. Jun 2, 2013
    9
    The charming prince of quiet is back with his sophomore album, "Overgrown". Taking more soulful approach without sacrificing the essentialThe charming prince of quiet is back with his sophomore album, "Overgrown". Taking more soulful approach without sacrificing the essential post-dubstep elements that makes his debut album special, James have certainly leveled up. Highlight tracks: Retrograde, Overgrown, I am Sold, Dlm Expand
  7. Apr 22, 2013
    5
    This is a rather odd album. From the snippets, I wasn't expecting it to be so electronic based. Turns out that James Blake is actually quiteThis is a rather odd album. From the snippets, I wasn't expecting it to be so electronic based. Turns out that James Blake is actually quite into experimenting with dubstep and various electronic arrangements. Problem is, sometimes it works, and sometimes it doesn't. The tracks Life Round Here, Digital Lion and Voyeur were examples of how it was rather grating, but the other 8 tracks are much more appealing, although I struggled to find anything that was better than "ok." Expand

See all 22 User Reviews