James Blake & The Return of Harmony

EPISODE 241

For a decade James Blake has crafted an idiosyncratic sound. His early work as a minimalist electronic producer fused lush R&B chords with lyrical collage and unfiltered synthesizers. He describes his hit 2013 song “Retrograde” as apocalyptic yet also romantic. This single was in stark contrast to the bubblegum pop of the early 2010s. But other artists recruited him to spread his subversive sonics. He produced on three of the most seminal albums in recent history: Beyoncé’s Lemonade, Kendrick Lamar’s DAMN and Frank Ocean’s Blonde. Before Blake, it sounded like pop was caught in the same four chord loop. But gradually Blake’s harmonic melancholy has infused popular music. On his new album “Friends That Break Your Heart,” Blake has written his most compelling songs yet, but underneath are those his familiar wandering chords that send us on an emotional journey. Switched On Pop co-host Charlie Harding spoke with James Blake about his harmonic inventiveness.

SONGS DISCUSSED

James Blake - Famous Last Words, Retrograde, Godspeed, Say What You Will, Life Is Not The Same
Beyoncé - Formation
Kendrick Lamar - ELEMENT
Frank Ocean - Solo
Duke Ellington - Mood Indigo
Bill Haley & His Comets - Rock Around The Clock
The Troggs - Wild Thing
The Notorious B.I.G. - Hypontize
Lorde - Royals
Rihanna, Drake - Work
Camila Cabello - Havana (feat. Young Thug)
Ariana Grande - thank u, next
Silk Sonic - Leave The Door Open