JAMES BLAKE, “Modern Soul”
For some reason, this is the first time that I’ve written about 27 year old British electronica wizard James Blake, whose far-outside-the-box songs and melodies got enough attention to turn Grammy Awards nominators’ heads a few years back when he received a nom for Best New Artist. James’ new song “Modern Soul” has a very telling title – it is indeed soulful electronic music for the modern world. Like songs in his past releases, “Modern Soul” shifts gears melodically several times. This by no means jolts you, but instead it dazzles as you begin to take trip within trip inside James’ new sounds. His disembodied or distant vocal style is beginning to be a trademark and he writes his songs to suit that style. All in all this is fascinating new stuff which should do very well with in the alt.rock radio world and in dance clubs sophisticated enough to feed patrons’ heads as well as their feet. “Modern Soul” makes awaiting more James Blake songs a very exciting prospect.
BILLCSMUSIC BLOG 