On what seemed like just a regular Thursday, James Blake released to the world an awe-inspiring new collaboration with Bon Iver titled "I Need a Forest Fire", followed by two additional tracks. Then, in Blake's typical mysterious fashion, he announced that his third studio LP, The Colour In Anything, would be released at midnight British Standard Time the same day. Well, it turns out the album is actually out now, and also in his typical way, The Colour In Anything is another impeccable work with forward-thinking production that take listeners on an emotional ride. There were hints that this album would be a powerhouse, as teaser tracks "Modern Soul" and "Timeless" were premiered on his BBC Radio 1 residencies and showcased both his signature croon and fleeting, twitchy production that's both brand-new and masterful. Blake always includes common elements in his works (piano, waves of electronic backing, harmony, quirk, and elements of surprise), and The Colour In Anything serves as an amalgamation this and also picks up where his second LP, Overgrown, left off. While every track deserves multiple listens, songs like "Always", My Willing Heart", and "Choose Me" exude best his vocal eccentricities, varied production, and emotional power overall. In a year that has already provided us several incredible albums, it is difficult to say which will clearly be remembered as the best. There is no doubt that The Colour In Anything will be regarded not only as one of the strongest of the year, but one of James' standouts among his already-released work, so despite the three-year wait for it, we can hear now that it's all been well, well worth the time. The Colour In Anything is available on Spotify now.
James Blake