James Blake releases his new work, 'Trying Times,' under Good Boy Records. “A profound album that explores the inner mind and is full of sincerity,” said Mixmag.
“The lyrics represent one of the finest works in Blake’s career,” said the Evening Standard.
“Melodies that break down and rebuild in his digital laboratory,” noted The Independent.
“His seventh full-length album is a collection of his very best,” stated DIY.
As a Grammy-winning producer, songwriter, and musician, James Blake uniquely fuses soul, electronica, hip-hop, and alternative R&B, shaping the direction of modern music. Over six influential albums, his work has amassed over 2.2 billion streams. His 2019 album 'Assume Form,' featuring ROSALÍA and Travis Scott, received widespread acclaim, followed by 2021’s 'Friends That Break Your Heart,' which debuted at his highest chart position to date.
His exceptional vocals and innovative production have earned him recognition as one of the most influential contemporary musicians. He is sought after for collaborations with Beyoncé, Frank Ocean, SZA, ROSALÍA, Kendrick Lamar, Travis Scott, and many others, contributing to landmark albums like 'Blonde,' 'DAMN.,' 'ASTROWORLD,' 'Lemonade,' and 'Motomami.'
This album includes recently released singles 'Death Of Love' and 'I Had A Dream She Took My Hand,' showcasing Blake’s full artistic range and rare emotional honesty. Throughout 'Trying Times,' Blake explores the fragile space between intimacy and isolation in an era of uncertainty, highlighting the fractures of contemporary life. The overwhelming emotions permeate both the lyrics and atmosphere, positioning the work between optimism and unease.
Beyond the new album, Blake has announced details of his upcoming European tour starting this September, including a special performance at London’s O2 Academy Brixton. These dates follow his North American tour, which featured two sold-out shows at Brooklyn Paramount in New York City and a sold-out performance at HISTORY in Toronto. Complete tour schedules are available below.
Recently, Blake collaborated with acclaimed British rapper Dave on the critically praised album 'The Boy Who Played The Harp.' He also co-created 'Séance' with Ludwig Göransson, a standout track from the soundtrack of Ryan Coogler’s film 'Sinners.'
