Klavierwerke (EP)
| Klavierwerke | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| EP by James Blake | ||||
| Released | 27 September 2010 | |||
| Recorded | 2010 | |||
| Genre | 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 English musician James Blake, who plays all the instruments and produced the record. It was released 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] 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] and as 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, with additional light pops and clicks, and a muffled refrain.[3] The song "I Only Know (What I Know Now)" features "twisted" vocals that the BBC likened to the work of Radiohead.[4] "Don't You Think I Do", the final track, has "scattershot keys" and "cascading static" and contains some synthesizer.[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 |
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 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.
- 1 2 3 4 5 Ryan Kuo (4 October 2010). "James Blake – Klavierwerke EP (Single)". Resident Advisor. Retrieved 26 February 2012.
- 1 2 3 4 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.