Electro-composer James Blake returns

The ideal lakeside-relaxing album of the summer has come early this year. Between the enchanting electro-soul piano and piercingly crisp vocals, James Blake’s  sophomore album, “Overgrown,”  is nothing less than captivating.

London-bred Blake is not new to musical success. His self-titled debut received high praise from critics. Many artists experience what is known as a “sophomore slump,” and due to Blake’s previous success, it was possible that “Overgrown” would fall into that category. However, his immense talent and clear growth on this album defy this stereotype.

With the exception of “Digital Lion,” which was produced by Brian Eno, James Blake wrote, sang and produced the entire album. This impressive feat only further strengthens the notion that Blake is truly a brilliant musician. His music stretches the boundaries of genre, constantly balancing soul and electronic, with hints of operatic elements and pure pop lacing the album. “Take A Fall For Me” features RZA rapping about quid, fish and chips and painstaking love. RZA delivers a beautiful performance, with a pace reminiscent of beat poetry that showcases the Wu Tang member differently than we are used to hearing him. 

One of the most interesting aspects of Blake’s electronic heavy music is his use of repetition. He typically only uses one or two verses and a strong melodic line throughout his songs, giving a simplistic vibe to his music. Yet his use of repetition forces listeners to hear the complexity within his songs. Through every repetitive element, another layer is added on to the song. One of the most haunting lines is during the second track, “I Am Sold,” where he sings, “And we lay nocturnal, speculating what we feel” over and over again. The line itself is simple and powerful, and the entire song captures the emotion of lying in bed with a loved one, talking into the early morning hours. Its recurring presence throughout the song brings listeners to a higher awareness of listening.

“Overgrown” is more than 10 songs thrown together on an album — it is art. The juxtaposition between the dark, spiraling sounds of the synthesizer and Blake’s emotive falsetto guides listeners into a blissful, transcendental musical experience. Whether you’re sitting on a dock, lying in bed or driving around town with the windows rolled down, “Overgrown” is sure to be one of your top-played albums of the summer.