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

My Top 5 Albums Of 2019

2019 was great for music. As it comes to a close, it’s time to reflect on some of the best projects that were released throughout the past year. Today, I will be ranking and explaining my top 5 favorite albums released in the past year. Let’s get down to business.

Honorable mentions: thank u, next by Ariana Grande, Charli by Charli XCX, All My Heroes Are Cornballs by JPEGMAFIA, MAGDALENE by FKA twigs, Norman Fucking Rockwell! by Lana Del Rey

5. WHEN WE ALL FALL ASLEEP, WHERE DO WE GO? by Billie Eilish: A breakout star whose popularity spread so rampantly that many thought of her as an industry plant, Billie Eilish is starting to cement herself as one of the best alternative pop artists making music today. The blood, sweat, and tears that she and her brother put into creating this wonderfully creative, dark, and revealing album becomes quickly apparent upon listening, and the replay-ability of this project is undeniable. I cannot wait to see which direction Billie takes musically moving forward, because her debut album was one of the best of 2019.

4. The Highwomen by The Highwomen: I never thought I would like a “country” album as much as I enjoyed this one. The four delightfully talented women who have assembled this blues supergroup released one of the most compelling albums of the year in their self-titled debut project. I found myself humming the choruses to these songs repeatedly and constantly reflecting on the heartfelt lyricism offered here. That lyricism is supported by astounding vocal performances throughout, and this album is jam-packed with very uplifting and positive themes while still heart-wrenching at times. Great stuff here.

3. Assume Form by James Blake: This album was one of my most-listened-to in 2019, and for good reason. James Blake is realizing his full potential as an artist, and the refined nature of Assume Form proves that he’s ready to take the next step in his musical career. Relatable themes, tasteful features, and incredible vocals make this project an incredibly enjoyable listen. Plus, he was great live when my girlfriend saw him locally in February.

2. GINGER by BROCKHAMPTON: While not as explosively braggadocios as the group’s SATURATION trilogy or their uniquely aggressive IRIDESCENCE, GINGER is just of compelling of a project for me as their others, if not more so. This project finally unpacks the departure of former member Ameer Vann, not holding back from sharing the emotional impact that his removal had on the rest of the group. This is as introspective as the boy band has gotten yet, and I’m here for it. Plus, this project is still full of the classic bangers that put these guys on the map in the first place. Again, they are great live and I highly suggest checking them out.

1. IGOR by Tyler, The Creator: They grow up so fast. All jokes aside, Tyler’s evolution as an artist and a person over the past few years is nothing short of awe-inspiring. He prefaced this album making sure his fans knew that this project would be nothing like any of his previous work, which was entirely accurate to say the least. This project is experimental yet immediately familiar, and Tyler’s unabashed emotional vulnerability and honesty adds to this album’s narrative beautifully and compellingly. He put on an incredible show when I was able to see him in October, and the production accompanied by the wonderful story-telling of this project makes it difficult to not call it a 10/10. It’s definitively my favorite album of the year.

The subjectivity of music and of art in general is what makes it so appealing to me. Virtually everyone’s opinions and tastes are different at least slightly, which is why I like to hear the rationale behind others’ favorite pieces of music, art, film, or any other medium. What were your top 5 albums of the year? Do you agree with my reasoning? Let me know. More coming soon.