Unlike other members of buffaBLOG, dub step is not a genre I have yet to fully embrace. James Blake, a British electronic/dub step composer, recently released his debut album and forced me to give the genre a deeper look. While not dance heavy as other dub step artists, Blake employs the basic elements of dub, heavy bass, drum machine effects, synths and samples, on his self titled release. Listening to Blake's album, the artist immediately coming to mind was Bon Iver. Like Blake’s debut, Bon Iver’s For Emma, Forever Ago, in addition to his Blood Bank EP, was a stark, emotional album whose vocals were pushed to the front and hard to ignore. James Blake frequently sounds like the dub step child to Bon Iver’s auto tuned “Woods” and the later reworked version “Still” by Volcano Choir , as vocals bend and become layered from song to song.
Blake’s album is a slow burner, not for the impatient. Songs sometimes move at a crawling, yet deliberate pace, creating mood music for a late night. His haunting minimalist melodies blend perfectly with his R&B meets Antony and The Johnsons like vocals. Songs like “Give Me My Mouth” and “Lindesfarne II” provide brief dub relief as more traditional singer/songwriter elements like piano and plucked guitar guide Blake’s lyrics. James Blake is a tender, soul infused collection of songs shaped by electronics that tend to linger with you long after listening. For those who are beginners of the dub genre, this serves as a great introduction.
~ mm
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