James Blake - Trying Times

Seven albums in, James Blake sounds newly unburdened. 'Trying Times' carries all the elements that have defined his music for more than a decade: spacious production, ghostly electronics and that unmistakable voice, capable of turning a single line into a moment of heft. This time, though, it feels lighter, painting a portrait of an artist standing firmly in his own space, steering the whole thing exactly where he wants it to go.

That feeling runs through the album's bones. After years navigating the machinery of major labels, Blake has returned to London and rebuilt his creative world on his own terms. 'Trying Times' reflects that shift immediately. The songs feel instinctive, unfolding with openness.

Across its thirteen tracks, Blake moves through a wide emotional spectrum without ever losing his centre. Songs like 'Death Of Love' and the wonderful 'I Had A Dream She Took My Hand' capture the strange emotional weather of the present moment, tracing feelings of overload while still reaching toward empathy and connection. His writing remains deeply introspective, now carrying a warmth that's both grounded and generous.

There's also a playful spark running through the record that gives it extra lift. Guitars wander into the mix, rhythms stretch and bounce, and Blake's arrangements leave space for small surprises to bloom. Even with the meticulous precision that has always defined his production, there's a looseness in how these songs move.

By the time 'Trying Times' draws to a close, that freedom proves irresistible. Blake sounds energised by the room he has carved out for himself, following ideas wherever they lead and completely at ease in his own creative universe.