My introduction to James Blake was his 2013 single "Retrograde" - a hauntingly beautiful love song that also captures feelings of loneliness and isolation. The English singer-songwriter has since been praised for his ambient production tactics as well as his mashup of electronic and RnB, among other influences. His latest album, Assume Form, carries on with this style, and while it doesn't shy away from his usual serious subject matters of depression and loneliness, it is mainly romantic. Both the lyrics (many of which are inspired by his current girlfriend, actress Jameela Jamil) and the instrumentation are committed to this aesthetic.

I will say however, at the beginning of the record I was unsure. The title track "Assume Form" plays with interesting musical ideas but ultimately feels disconnected, at least until the end when it finally sounds like a cohesive song. The lyrics on this track take themselves so seriously that it's a bit suffocating. It seems like when Blake is trying to say the most, he ends up being underwhelming, but later on in the album, when there is an economy to his words, he actually ends up making very powerful statements about the human condition. "Mile High" faces the opposite problem that "Assume Form" does - it's absolutely forgettable, and feels like it's trying to check every box of what modern trap/RnB should sound like without his usual exploration of sounds and instruments. Travis Scott sounds boring and uninspired, almost like he's just in the studio to get paid.

Things started to perk up on the track "Tell Them". While not the most memorable song on the album, it does have a fun beat, with a midi-sequence in the background reminiscent of a video game. "Into the Red" is next, and this is where Blake's songwriting really starts to shine. I love the strings at the beginning, as well as Blake's layered vocals. The baroque instrument in the background is a nice touch, and the ending is absolutely breathtaking. This and "Barefoot in the Park" are some of my favorite cuts off this album - which features Rosalia, whose vocals sound delicate yet powerful. I love the harp (I think?) juxtaposed with the trap beat. This song sounds like some kind of garden fantasy, which I never knew I needed, but, well, now I do. "Can't Believe the Way We Flow" and "Are You in Love?" follow, both gorgeous love songs, with the former doing a great job at sampling The Manhattans.

The album begins to take a darker turn at "What's the Catch?", a track that delivers an eerie chord progression with a fantastic performance by Andre 3000. I love how the beat amps up halfway through his verse, there's a definite sense of urgency on this song. "I'll Come Too" uses another great sample, and I actually appreciate the simplicity of his lyrics on this track. It's love. It's easy. It's carefree. And the strings at the end are perfection. "Power On" is a nice addition about putting aside one's ego to the narrative of being in love, and I like the contradiction of the heavier analog synth with a dreamier one.

At the end of the record, Blake really comes through with some of the most beautiful songwriting I've heard in a while. The penultimate track "Don't Miss It" completely nails the feeling of being depressed, and the lyrics "Everything is about me / I am the most important thing / And you really haven't thought all those cyclical thoughts for a while?" caught me off guard. Not many artists are able to be this self-aware when it comes to writing about mental health, and I appreciate his honesty. It's something that I personally struggle with, and these thoughts are refreshing from a relevant figure in popular music. Even the chord progression and piano accompaniment are committed to conveying what it's like to be depressed. "Lullaby for My Insomniac" closes the record perfectly. I love how utilitarian is - according to Blake, he literally wrote it to help someone fall asleep. Blake crafts a vocal orchestra, yet keeps it very simple. It sounds like he's singing in a big cathedral. And did I mention how beautiful his production is? Because this last song is a beautiful ending to a beautiful album.

Overall, I'm highly impressed with the work James Blake has done on this record. Is it perfect? No, but it definitely tries to be. And for the most part, his efforts pay off.

Rating: 8.5/10.

Favorites: "Into the Red", "Barefoot in the Park", "Can't Believe the Way We Flow", "I'll Come Too", "Don't Miss It", "Lullaby for My Insomniac"

Least Favorites: "Assume Form", "Mile High"