Since James Blake started making moves a couple of years ago, he has earned a bizarrely amorous following. Both men and women I've spoken to love him dearly, with reports of girls full out swooning as he walks by. His special brand of eerie and beautiful soundscapes struck a huge chord with fans of - the early incarnation of - dubstep. Ranking number two behind Jessie J on the BBC's Sound of 2011 list, it was clear that people expected big things from his self titled debut album, and while it delivers in most respects, it falters in others.
Always minimal, the album is very pretty; natural and earthy sounds are cleverly mixed with traditional synth. It is in these moments, when the music is both haunting and vibrant, that the record excels. This is especially prevalent on Wilhelms Scream, muted guitars and crashing wave chords, and I Never Learnt To Share with its grand church-style organ.
While the majority of songs create levels of atmosphere, some are too minimal to muster presence. Both Lindesfarne I and II fail to capture the same energy as the other songs, and are noticeably hollow by comparison.
But these feelings are almost immediately assuaged when Limit To Your Love begins, or rather the pulsing and warm bass, which is brilliantly executed.
Listening to this album is a pleasure, but the knowledge that it could be more, have more body, is frustrating. Nonetheless, it firmly cements James Blake into the music lovers conciousness, and it is likely he will be lodged there for a while to come.
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