“Following on his breakthrough full-length debut, Blake returns with a short collection of new songs, a Joni Mitchell cover, and a collaboration with Justin Vernon. The mix of piano ballads and more fully produced tracks shows Blake's strengths and limitations as an artist.”
“James Blake's new EP, much like his self-titled debut earlier this year, is loaded with ideas that, to me, don't feel completely finished. Still, the guy draws up some interesting concepts--even as he attempts to focus more on building songs on voice and piano this time around.”
“It’s widely accepted that James Blake’s debut album didn’t meet expectations, with its diversion into vocal-driven pop feeling like a step backward from the psychedelic bass-driven intensity of his earlier EPs. Though decent in parts, the album was patchy and unfocused, and its unrelentingly mournful tone lent itself perfectly to a touch of gentle mockery (‘blubstep’, anyone?). Rather than a retu”
