Album Review: Friends That Break Your Heart - James Blake

Two years after the release of his critically-acclaimed album Assume Form, James Blake has returned with his highly-anticipated album Friends That Break Your Heart. Blake’s 2019 project was a vessel used to experiment with his sound, vocals, and aesthetic, working with collaborators such as Travis Scott and Andre 3000 to create an understated hip-hop spin on his usual style. Friends That Break Your Heart follows in the footsteps that Assume Form planted, allowing Blake to further refine his delivery with sharpened production, sophisticated instrumentation, and more compelling subject matter than ever before.

Blake, whose previous project centered mainly around self-reflection and introspection, decides to discuss and examine relationships with those closest to him on this project. The complex, lasting effects that the people in Blake’s life have had on him are evident and all too relatable in his lyricism. “Life Is Not The Same” is the first of many heart-wrenching lamentations of connections lost, with a disorienting and swirling trap instrumental that offers the listener no solace from Blake’s heartfelt delivery.

There are few collaborators on this project, but those who are featured alongside Blake are done so effectively and memorably. “Coming Back (feat. SZA)” uses SZA’z vocal abilities seamlessly, and the low-key banger evolves into its second half, featuring echoey and haunting vocals from both artists. After the lonesome and depressing “Funeral”, Blake utilizes Atlanta rappers JID and SwaVay on “Frozen”, one of the most immediately memorable tracks on the project. A unique beat paves the way for hard-hitting bass and well-written verses from the featured rappers here. This song also uses vocal manipulation, which sometimes bothers me, but that instead works very well here.

“I’m So Blessed You’re Mine” is a bit of a Frankenstein’s monster of a track, never fully realizing its identity and instead continually morphing from genre to genre. This experimentation isn’t to the song’s detriment, though; instead, it demonstrates Blake’s continued willingness to experiment, leave his comfort zone, and adapt to new styles. The following “Foot Forward” features production from the legendary Metro Boomin’, whose esoteric and bouncy beat is addictive as usual — this is one of Blake’s smoothest tracks yet.

“Show Me” is a beautiful, heartbreaking duet featuring contributions from artist Monica Martin, whose vocals complement Blake’s dazzlingly. The track discusses observing growth from previous partners, which is an incredibly mature and bittersweet topic that indicates Blake’s growth. “Say What You Will” is one of the most touching and sonically wonderous tracks on the project, as Blake reflects on the self-love he’s cultivated despite the negativity he’s been shown throughout his life from others. Again, it can’t be emphasized enough how spectacular Blake’s vocal performances are throughout this project, and this ballad is no exception.

“Lost Angel Nights” contemplates missed opportunities and trying to endlessly reinvent oneself to remain relevant, especially in such an unforgiving and forgetting industry. These contemplative themes flow naturally into the penultimate title track which really is revolutionary, subverting the typical topic of romantic relationships failing, and instead discussing the tragedy of long-term platonic relationships coming to meet ill fates. This track’s acoustic backing and solemn vocal delivery are truly haunting and tear-jerking to the point that I just want to give Blake a hug. Blake continues his tradition of closing with understated tracks with the final moment “If I’m Insecure”, a beautiful contemplation of love in the middle of all-encompassing misery, something he likens to where we are after recent events, closing the album on a very high note.

The complexity, material richness, and memorability of this album’s back half are some of Blake’s best work yet. As he continues to grow as an artist and as a person, the depictions of the ethereal and relatable reflections he partakes in continue to mature as well, leading to truly cathartic and repeatable listening experiences. Beautiful from beginning to end with only small bumps along the way, Friends That Break Your Heart is exactly what I had hoped for from James Blake, and I highly suggest you give it a listen.

Favorite tracks: “Famous Last Words”, “Coming Back (feat. SZA)”, “Frozen (feat. JID and SwaVay)”, “Foot Forward”, “Show Me (feat. Monica Martin)”, “Say What You Will”, “Friends That Break Your Heart”, “If I’m Insecure”

SCORE: 7/10