Assume Form
by James Blake

Five or six songs I like ...

My favorite album of 2019. Honestly this album changed me. I think it was a combination of two things that happened at the same time. It's true, the album is stunningly beautiful. And the first time I listened to it I was in exactly the perfect state of mind to appreciate all of its unbelievable melancholic serene beauty. I love all of the tracks, but for me "Don't Miss It" is hands-down the best, followed by "Into the Red" and then "Barefoot in the Dark." On my first listen, all three of those tracks (as well as a few others) held me rapt, attentive, and motionless, completely mesmerized by their beauty. The album engulfed me.

So underrated and so gorgeous. Im obsessed with this album, I haven't stop listening since it came out. James Blake made some of his best songs here, with amazing production, minimalist sounds and a vibe that makes you feel the love present here. Also, the features are amazing. A very pleasant and lovely album that deserves more recognition

From ptaylor1989 10/02/2019 17:26 | #243312

https://medium.com/@paris./album-review-assume-form-james-blake-4-5-5-2ec7389e252f

From mdbaxter 07/29/2019 14:51 | #240512

This is a pleasant sounding album that suffers from trying to be too modern. Trap music is great. That doesn't mean it needs to be applied to all other kinds of music. I mean, it can but there are some times when it shouldn't. The only thing that these influences do for this album is make it sound more hip. I don't think it does much in terms of making the album better. There are some parts of the album that are so nice and pleasant that it makes the somewhat ham-fisted trap injections seem that much more unnecessary.

From Montpejo 02/25/2019 02:30 | #232584

Standouts: Tell Them (Feat. Metro Boomin And Moses Sumney), Where's The Catch? (Feat. André 3000), Barefoot In The Park (Feat. Rosalía)

Least Favorite: Power On, Assume Form, Are You In Love?

Mr. Blake's newest project is beautiful. Need I say more?

Damn, album-wise 2019 starts better than 2018, largely thanks to this James Blake album!

From Vatsal 02/11/2019 13:26 | #231789

Oh, this is a great album! Don't let Pitchfork fool you, this album may not be as technically accomplished as his first two but it is brimming with all this emotion, its so beautiful.
All of his previous album covers have his face obscured or distorted, and for Assume Form its the exact opposite with the hair even pulled back. A fitting cover cuz this album is James Blake unravelled, representing the current state of mind he's in and its just so pure and heartfelt.
I loved Blake's music for its cold and emotionally detached vibe, but I'm so glad he's in a place to have made this record.

I am pretty much in love with the entire album except a couple songs, but I'll come too is an absolute highlight!

From Brad1770 02/11/2019 10:54 | #231788

2013's 'Overgrown' was superb and one of the years best albums

2016's 'The Colour in Anything' was a bleak depressing affair and ultimately disappointing

Which brings us to 2019's 'Assume Form' ? And the verdict ?
It's good ! . Not 'Overgrown' good , but good none the less

Those who are commenting "it all sounds the same" clearly haven't listened to this album multiple times and are misinformed. There's the moody title track "Assume Form" , there's the Eastern sounding "Tell Them" , the duet "Barefoot In The Park" , the minimalism of "Are You In Love?" , the rap rhymes of "Where's The Catch?" , the edgy "Don't Miss It " and atmospheric closer "Lullaby For My Insomniac" . Incredible variety

Also love the guest's who appear here: Travis Scott ("Mile High") , Moses Sumney ("Tell Them") , ROSALIA ("Barefoot In The Park") and Andre 3000 (the wonderful "Where's The Catch?")

J.B is 2-1 in the positive for his last 3 albums

Nice going Jimbo