James Blake Debuts ‘Assume Form’ Bonus Track ‘Mulholland’
The track hit streaming services this Friday (26 April) and harkens back to Blake’s moody and melancholic works from his earlier albums.
James Blake has shared a haunting new single, ‘Mulholland’, previously available as a bonus track on the vinyl edition of his critically-acclaimed album, Assume Form.
The track hit streaming services this Friday (26 April) and harkens back to Blake’s moody and melancholic works from his earlier albums.
Blake’s cherubic vocals have been pitched and distorted over a sparse piano and trap drums. While much of Assume Form centred on collaborations and special guests like Travis Scott, André 3000, Rosialía, Metro Boomin and Moses Sumney. ‘Mullholland’, features Blake, and Blake alone.
The multi-instrumentalist has always been a fan of intricately-constructed loops and layers in his compositions, hammering home the underlying feelings of unsettledness that permeates his work.
“They are just now understanding me,” he repeats over and over, in an act of either self-acceptance or resignation. With Blake, there is always double-meanings.
Since dropping his fourth studio album back in January, it’s garnered glowing reviews, with many noting its seismic shift in mood.
After decamping to Los Angeles, Blake has seemingly discovered the light, finding inspiration in writing and producing for others, as Assume Form reflects.
“With Assume Form, Blake wants to get closer,” writes the New York Times. “His previous albums were suffused with loneliness; this one, tentatively and almost incredulously, ponders intimacy.”
The singer also made a recent appearance on BBC Radio 1’s Future Sounds with Annie Mac, performing tracks from Assume Form and the unreleased single, ‘Loathe To Roam’, live in the Maida Vale studios.
Blake is currently on a global tour to support the album with dates in Europe, Asia and Australia before heading stateside for the Made In America festival on 31 August and 1 September, along with Cardi B and Travis Scott has headliners.
The deluxe edition of Assume Form is out now on streaming services with vinyl, CD and cassette editions on 10 May and can be pre-ordered here.
Listen to ‘Mulholland’ here.
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