• Features
  • Reviews
  • New Music
  • Interviews
  • Polls
  • About
  • Search
Menu

Albumism

Street Address
City, State, Zip
Phone Number
Celebrating our love affairs with albums past, present and future

Albumism

  • Features
  • Reviews
  • New Music
  • Interviews
  • Polls
  • About
  • Search

NEW MUSIC WE LOVE: James Blake’s “Say What You Will”

July 23, 2021 Albumism Staff
Albumism_JamesBlake_SayWhatYouWill_MainImage_16x9.jpg

It’s tough to fathom that nearly five years have passed since we named James Blake’s The Colour in Anything as our first-ever Album-of-the-Year in our inaugural year back in 2016. In the half-decade since his wonderful third studio affair blessed our ears, the London born-and-bred songwriter & soundsmith has continued to solidify his well-earned reputation as one of music’s most visionary and vital figures. Aside from releasing his excellent, GRAMMY Award-nominated fourth LP Assume Form (2019), Blake has collaborated with the likes of Beyoncé, Kendrick Lamar, Travis Scott and slowthai, among other esteemed colleagues.

The next chapter of Blake’s ever-intriguing career evolution is now on the near-horizon, as he has announced that his much-anticipated fifth album Friends That Break Your Heart will make landfall September 10th. Another showcase for his versatile vocal range, the project’s lead single “Say What You Will” and accompanying video finds him in noticeably introspective mode. “Well, I've been normal, I've been ostracized,” he reflects in the song’s opening verse. “I've watched through a window / As my young self died / I've been popular with all the popular guys / I gave them punchlines / They gave me warning signs / I look okay in the magic hour / In the right light with the right amount of power / And I'm okay with the life of the sunflower / And I'm okay with the life of a meteor shower.”

In conjunction with the album’s arrival, Blake will set out on 15-date US tour commencing September 16th in San Diego and concluding October 15th in Atlanta.

PRE-ORDER Friends That Break Your Heart via James Blake’s Official Store

SEE James Blake on tour | Dates

Note: As an Amazon affiliate partner, Albumism may earn commissions from purchases of vinyl records, CDs and digital music featured on our site.

WATCH:

In NEW MUSIC Tags James Blake
← NEW MUSIC WE LOVE: Saint Etienne’s “Pond House”NEW MUSIC WE LOVE: Dave’s “Clash” Featuring Stormzy →

Featured
Xzibit’s Debut Album ‘At the Speed of Life’ Turns 30 | Album Anniversary
Xzibit’s Debut Album ‘At the Speed of Life’ Turns 30 | Album Anniversary

Xzibit formally launched his hip-hop career as a battle-tested warrior fighting for respect on his debut album, and thankfully, this same mentality continues to influence his music 30 years on.

Read more →
The UMC’s’ Debut Album ‘Fruits of Nature’ Turns 35 | Album Anniversary
The UMC’s’ Debut Album ‘Fruits of Nature’ Turns 35 | Album Anniversary

When the duo released their exuberant debut album, the hip-hop genre that they loved was becoming super serious and the project never received the widespread props that it deserved.

Read more →
Jeru the Damaja’s ‘Wrath of the Math’ Turns 30 | Album Anniversary
Jeru the Damaja’s ‘Wrath of the Math’ Turns 30 | Album Anniversary

On his sophomore album, Jeru takes aim at those he perceives as the enemies of hip-hop, including the Bad Boys and Death Rows of the world. 

Read more →

Summary Block
This block is invalid. Please check the block settings and try again.
Featured
Aenean eu leo Quam
Aenean eu leo Quam

Quisque iaculis facilisis lacinia. Mauris euismod pellentesque tellus sit amet mollis.

Read more →

©2026 Albumism | All Rights Reserved. Use of any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy. The content on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Albumism.