Album Rating: 3.5

So this isn't really my kind of thing but I can vibe. Betting it'll grow on me.



After one listen I do feel the length is unwarranted though.

Album Rating: 4.5

I think it's pretty consistent.



consistently good.

Album Rating: 4.5

This honestly didn't floor me at all but it's definitely very good.

This record will be talked about in ten days as the greatest album of all time.

Album Rating: 4.5

I like the Anohni record better, personally.

Album Rating: 4.0

I need to hear that.



A lot of stuff has been released recently that interest me.



The interviews that Blake has been giving in the lead up to this release suggested that his music had changed a lot. I didn't quite hear this. The second half of this did impress me tho.

Album Rating: 4.0

i hope my life, my willing heart, radio silence, modern soul, timeless, choose me



all fantastic

I liked the ANOHNI record better as well, way better.

My personal highlights on this new James Blake record were Put That Away And Talk to Me (which is basically a Kanye West song if he were white, british and very romantic, which I see as an amazing thing), Waves Know Shores (one of the most haunting Blake compositions ever imo), Choose Me (that ending climax is priceless), I Need A Forest Fire (great teamwork by James Blake and Justin Vernon, he was a great addition to the track) and Two Men Down (the melodies and their dynamical delivery on this one are just gorgeous, a insanely well laid tune).

I Hope My Life is definitely the worst James Blake song ever imo. It revolves around two or three hooks that I find lacking in the substantial department and it drags on and on with that musical concept in mind. He literally sings "Baby I'll just press my hands" for three minutes in a row and it goes on until the end of the song. It gets pretty unbearable. Blake's synth arrangements make the song slightly better than it would be if those weren't composed and played by him, however.

Album Rating: 4.0

put that away is one of my least favourites lol

To each their own. I think it's one of Blake's greatest musical achievements to date. Amazing song.

Also, Arcade... it ain't. C'mon.

I loved the politically-driven lyrics since Antony/ANOHNI's world perspective has always fascinated me for its altruistic and well-fundamented nature. Also, 0PN/Mohawke's production is stellar on every single track and ANOHNI's crooning voice is gorgeous. I loved it, but I can respect someone prefering Blake's record since it is definitely more sprawling and immersive. I only found it decent, however. Chunks of unnecessary, almost supervacaneous tracks flood it, preventing it from being something I'd find otherwordly.

Album Rating: 4.5

Antony has always polarized listeners. Obviously a lot of people can't relate to her brand of anguish.

I always had and will have a soft spot for Antony Hegarty. Besides always having been a fan of Antony & the Johnsons and having always related to her expression of anguish and crippling sadness, she's friends with the great David Tibet. [heart emoji or something]

The self-titled Antony & the Johnsons record is really amazing, but HOPELESSNESS might even top that. That's how much I love it.

Album Rating: 4.5

Mmhm. I love the songs on this record, but everything seems artificial. Like what the fuck kind of tragedy has James Blake ever had to endure that would make any of these songs mean anything? I mean there's a song about his insecurity over someone being on their phone too much. Antony sings from a place of true hurt and self, and hers is the significantly more powerful, meaningful album.



And I agree. Her first album was always my favorite. But Hopelessness might be better. Time will tell.

Album Rating: 4.5

I never said she's better because her suffering is more real. I said her music is more powerful and meaningful on a personal level because her suffering is more genuine. The album is better because it sounds better, simply put.



RE: lyrics, there's no point in arguing what makes lyrics good or bad. Everyone has different opinions on what is affecting. A lot of great lyricists don't appeal to me (Cohen, Dylan, etc.) because certain styles of lyrics don't appeal to me. And a lot of terrible ones do (Byrne). Especially we can't really take a lyrics discussion seriously because at least Anohni attempts to tackle real topics as opposed to:

I can't believe this, you don't wanna see me

I can't believe this, you don't wanna see me

I can't believe this, you don't wanna see me

We lived in love with each other so long

I can't believe this, you don't wanna see me

I don't know how you feel

I can't believe this, you don't wanna see me

I'm sorry, I don't know how you feel

I can't believe this, you don't wanna see me

Just please, more time

I don't know how you feel

I can't believe this, you don't wanna see me



Just please, more time

Just please, more time

I'm sorry, I don't know how you feel

I don't know how you feel

It's hard to tell if I don't know how you feel



But in my heart

There's a radio silence going on

But in my heart

There's a radio silence going on

There's a radio silence going on

But in my heart

There's a radio silence going on



I can't believe this, you don't wanna see me

There's a radio silence going on

I can't believe this, you don't wanna see me

There's a radio silence going on

I don't know how you feel

I'm sorry I don't know how you feel

I don't know how you feel

But what's the point of being skeptical of what he's been through. His tragedies aren't hers but that doesn't mean they are less real. I mean, what is a real topic.

Album Rating: 4.5

I'm just saying on a personal level as a gay man who has experienced genuine depression I relate a lot more to Anohni's brand of anguish. I can't relate to Blake being insecure over cell phones and being ignored. Just a personal preference.

Album Rating: 4.5

Obama makes me cringe, but I quite like the lyrics of Drone Bomb Me. I love the blunt jux. between the violence and glamour. I wish she'd saved Obama for a b-side or something, but what ya gonna do? Overdramatic is just her style, and like I said that's what's polarizing about her.



She's by no means a poet. She falls into the category of lyricists of Reed and Byrne where it's just very blunt, meaningful, basic ideas.