Since dropping his last LP James Blake has been busy becoming one of the most coveted producers in pop and hip-hop, adding Kendrick Lamar and Travis Scott to a CV that already includes Beyonce. So it's a surprise that after all this time away from the spotlight that 'Assume Form' is the best album of his career so far. Many of the songs here show off his new found prowess at making hip hop beats on some fantastically sultry and low key bangers featuring the likes of Travis Scott, Andre 3000 and Metro Boomin. Yet it's when James is left on his opwn that the album really starys to shine, such as the beautifully euphoric 'Can't Believe The Way We Flow'. The abstract cut and paste lyricism and vocal effects present on earlier albums are now gone as James has found confidence as a songwriter. 'Power on' is a brilliantly frank and positive reflection on the effect love has had on his mental health. James Blake has produced the first great album of 2019.
Bring Me The Horizon - AMO
Bring Me The Horizon are at a point in their career that few bands, let alone heavy metal bands manage to reach. A point where after 4 albums they are left with a choice. They can either stick with their established sound and please their existing fanbase at the risk of that fanbase slowly dwindling with future releases or take risks, experiment with their sound and write songs that will encourage new fans to take the place of those who don't like the new direction. Thankfully BMTH haven't scrapped the guitars to the extent of Linkin Park's much maligned last album. The heavy tracks on AMO such as MANTRA and Wonderful life still bear all the heavy riffs and shouty refrains that BMTH are known for. For much of the rest of the album BMTH delve into electronica, with mixed results, while 'Medicine' finds them having a go at a 1975 style pop tune. Throughout AMO BMTH throw every millennial songwriting cliche they can at the wall, the whoops, pitched chipmunk vocals, Drum breaks and even an attempt at the triplet flow are all present. The eclectic approach mostly works on the strongest songs, but can be annoying when the songs aren't up to scratch (such as the irritating 'Sugar Honey Ice & Tea'). BMTH deserve credit for being one of the few mainstream rock bands who are willing to experiment and break new ground.
Check out - Heavy Metal
The Fever 333 - Strength In Numb333rs
After emerging as one of the worlds best new live acts last year the pressure has been on for The Fever 333 with their debut album. The results lie somewhere between Linkin Park and Rage Against The machine. A furious and politically charged rap-metal album which makes The Fever 333 likely to be the band who brings back nu metal. Strength in Numb333rs mixes rap and metal together with a radio friendly edge. It's when the former Letlive singer Jason Aalon Butler opens up about his own experiences on songs such as 'Am I here?' that the album is at it's most compelling. 'Strength in Numb333rs' lacks the DIY experimentation of RATM, as the band use sampling and electronic embellishments throughout. Much of the lyrics have little depth beyond their rage. Despite this their message is still a necessary one that echoes the frustrations that many in America and the rest of the world are feeling.
I also enjoyed...
Deerhunter - Why hasn't everything already disappeared?
A whimsical psychedelic tinged rock album that is totally different from it's predecessor. The work of a peerless band who are still evolving after over a decade of making music
Weezer - Weezer (Teal Album)
90's rock veterans make a covers album to capitalise on the freak success of their cover of Toto's Africa. The results are nowhere near as bad as they ought to be.
The Twilight Sad - It won/t be like this all the time
Sad Scottish goths make another album of sad gothic indie rock. It may not be much of a change from their last album, but when the quality is this high it really doesn't matter.
Sharon Van Etten - Remind Me Tomorrow
Critical darling singer-songwriter Sharon Van Etten has made a comeback after over 5 years away with a synth-pop reinvention. Yet underneath the makeover lies the same lovelorn, earnest lyrics ghat made her earlier records so engaging.
