James Blake 

                                                       Enough Thunder EP

                                                                7.1/10

Here’s a little treat: a brand-spanking new EP from the dubstep prince himself, James Blake. The six-track EP, Enough Thunder, is a bit scatterbrained but fans of Blake should find themselves thoroughly enjoying each song as it includes cuts that are reminiscent of his early electronic EPs as well as his soulful debut LP and more.

Even though Blake first gained recognition for his production and being a pioneer in dubstep, I always found the soulful, extremely minimal, almost singer-songwriter James Blake to be much more interesting (not to say that his dubstep pieces aren’t soulful or minimal - they are, but I find his his voice and his stripped down songs beyond captivating), although I’m not sure Blake would be where he is today without being so into dubstep, but I digress. Enough Thunder’s best moments are when the electronics are toned down to a simple buzz and Blake’s sexy and haunting voice take center stage. The cover of Joni Mitchell’s “Case of You” is a brilliant and blunt song, full of vulnerability and emotion. When Blake covers it, he transforms it into something else, putting his own 21st-century stamp on it. Unlike, his cover of Feist’s “Limit to Your Love,” the live recording of “Case of You” is extremely, extremely minimal and is just Blake and his piano, which I find so appealing. The title track and the EP’s closer is also a standout. “Enough Thunder” opens up with Blake yet again playing piano and belting out lyrics in his epic voice. Although not as melodic as “A Case of You,” “Enough Thunder” still does the trick and is completely satisfying. 

“Fall Creek Boys Choir” featuring Bon Iver, circulated around the internet not that long ago. When I first heard it, I absolutely hated everything about it and honestly thought it was one of the worst songs of the year. However, giving it another shot, and listening to it in the context of the EP, I was pretty wrong. It may sound a little expected of what Blake and Justin Vernon would do if they got together and made a song but the soothing and deep track works and the two vocal-masters chant and coo over dark piano, pounding drums and loops. If anything, “Fall Creek Boys Choir” sounds like an extension of (or James Blake’s take on) Bon Iver’s “Beth/Rest” and a combination of the New Year’s staple “Auld Lang Syne.” 

However, the rest of the EP is more of the same and could be the leftovers of Blake’s Klavierwerke EP or CMYK EP, which are, to me, the least interesting or compelling things Blake has done (save for a few songs on each EP). But I’m well aware my opinion on this is in the minority since these collections of music are what gave birth to the British musician’s career and several listeners absolutely love them, jumpstarting his massive fan base.

Enough Thunder isn’t disappointing but instead it is sort of like a sampler of what James Blake has created so far. The only track that shows what Blake may be doing next, is “Fall Creek Boys Choir” - it has him taking risks, trying new sounds and of course, working with other contemporaries, strong contemporaries that blend perfectly with the Blake Experience. Enough Thunder is not a must listen record, especially if you’ve heard his discography already, but it may be a nice place for newcomers to start with Blake as it offers a little something for everyone. Or it could have an opposite effect; not showing confidence of who James Blake is as an Artist and Musician leaving a listener confused but perhaps, intrigued.

Listen to James Blake’s cover of the Joni Mitchell classic, “A Case of You,” below:

James Blake - A Case Of You (Joni Mitchell Cover) by Hypetrak