Klavierwerke
| Klavierwerke | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| EP by James Blake | ||||
| Released | 27 September 2010 | |||
| Recorded | 2010 | |||
| Genre | Dubstep, post-dubstep | |||
| Length | 16:41 | |||
| Label | R&S Records | |||
| Producer | James Blake | |||
| James Blake chronology | ||||
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Klavierwerke is the third solo EP by London-based post-dubstep producer James Blake. It was released in both the United Kingdom and the United States on R&S Records on 27 September 2010. The word "klavierwerke" is German for "piano works", as the album is mostly built on piano.[1]
Composition
James Blake changed his style on the EP from gospel and R&B influenced dubstep on CMYK to more piano-based music.[1][2] In the EP, Blake samples and manipulates his vocals and piano to add an effect. According to Blake, the EP is "more personal" than CMYK, and its lyrics are more focused on emotion.[1] The EP has been described as "sadder and more intimate" than his previous releases.[3] The songs are also somewhat similar to Mount Kimbie's songs.[4] The title track features some vocal static due to it being recorded on a laptop microphone. The static contrasts with the clear hand claps and bass notes.[1] The next track, "Tell Her Safe" has Blake singing over percussion. It also features light pops and clicks and a muffled refrain.[3]
The song "I Only Know (What I Know Now)" features "twisted" vocals and is influenced by Radiohead.[4] It has sounds that "ache with longing and soul" and has been described as "sad". In the song, Blake sings over piano and bass, with occasional blank spaces. He changes his vocals over the course of the song, sometimes speeding or slowing it down.[1] "Don't You Think I Do", the final track, has "scattershot keys" and "cascading static". It also contains some synthesizer. The song ends when it dies down to a chord.[3]
Reception
| Professional ratings | |
|---|---|
| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| BBC | (favourable)[4] |
| Pitchfork Media | 8.1/10[1] |
| Resident Advisor |   [3] |
The album received positive reviews from music critics. In a favourable review, Mike Diver of the BBC wrote "every click beneath another click, every swoosh or sweep from computer keys through programmes and into production, is a fascinating facet of a whole that never once seems unduly overpopulated by elements that others might pronounce with greater emphasis."[4] Joe Colly of Pitchfork Media named "I Only Know (What I Know Now)" one of the "EP's finest moments" and gave the album a score of 8.1 out of 10.[1]
Resident Advisor gave the album 4 stars out of 5 and stated that "Blake's ingenious move is to seemingly dance around the truth, leaving the listener to figure things out."[3] In 2010, Pitchfork Media placed the EP and two other Blake EPs, The Bells Sketch and CMYK, collectively at number 8 on its list "The Top 50 Albums of 2010".[5]
Track listing
All tracks written by James Blake.
| No. | Title | Length | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Klavierwerke" | 5:06 | |
| 2. | "Tell Her Safe" | 3:15 | |
| 3. | "I Only Know (What I Know Now)" | 5:17 | |
| 4. | "Don't You Think I Do" | 3:05 |
Personnel
The following people were involved in the making of Klavierwerke:
- James Blake – instruments, production
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 Joe Colly (30 September 2010). "James Blake: Klavierwerke EP". Pitchfork Media. Retrieved 26 February 2012.
- ↑ Mike Powell (24 May 2010). "James Blake: CMYK EP". Pitchfork Media. Retrieved 27 February 2012.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 Ryan Kuo (4 October 2010). "James Blake – Klavierwerke EP (Single)". Resident Advisor. Retrieved 26 February 2012.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Mike Diver (11 October 2010). "Review of James Blake – Klavierwerke". BBC. Retrieved 26 February 2012.
- ↑ Mike Powell (16 December 2010). "Staff Lists: The Top 50 Albums of 2010". Pitchfork Media. Retrieved 26 February 2012.
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