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Playing Robots into Heaven

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Playing Robots into Heaven is the sixth studio album by English singer-songwriter and producer James Blake. It was released on 8 September 2023 through Republic and Polydor Records.

Playing Robots into Heaven
A black-and-white silhouetted photo of multiple people walking up a steep slope, with one in the middle carrying a butterfly-shaped object on their back.
Studio album by
James Blake
Released8 September 2023 (2023-09-08)
Recorded2019–2023
Genre
Length42:39
Label
ProducerJames Blake
James Blake chronology
Wind Down
(2022) 		Playing Robots into Heaven
(2023) 		CMYK 002
(2024)
Singles from Playing Robots into Heaven
  1. "Big Hammer"
    Released: 28 June 2023
  2. "Loading"
    Released: 26 July 2023
  3. "Tell Me"
    Released: 7 September 2023

Background

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Blake released his fifth studio album Friends That Break Your Heart on 8 October 2021, following a delay due to the COVID-19 pandemic. A mostly stylistically traditional release, the record was followed-up by an ambient album titled Wind Down on 18 March 2022, created with German artificial intelligence media company Endel to help listeners fall asleep.[1] The following year saw the musician collaborate with several hip hop artists, including Kanye West,[2] Flatbush Zombies,[3] JID[4] and Don Toliver.[5]

First previews of new music were teased on his social media accounts in early 2022.[6] Blake announced the album on 28 June 2023.[7] His sixth studio record sees him "return to the electronic roots of his Hessle, Hemlock and R&S records days".[8] Unlike his previous releases, the album does not feature any guest appearances.[9] To support the album, Blake will embark on an international 14-date tour with stops in Europe and North America.[10]

The artist released the lead single "Big Hammer" the same day. The "trap-inspired"[11] "instrumental club track"[9] features sample loops of "chopped-up dancehall" vocals by Ragga Twins.[12] A heist-themed music video was directed by Oscar Hudson and follows around four robbers in white tracksuits.[11]

A second single, "Loading" followed on 26 July 2023. According to Surej Singh at NME, the song featured "rhythmic drum patterns, cascading synths and layered vocals that give the tender and delicate track an emotional touch."[13]

Critical reception

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Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic80/100[14]
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic     [15]
Clash7/10[16]
DIY     [17]
The Independent     [18]
The Line of Best Fit6/10[19]
Pitchfork7.8/10[20]
Variety93/100[21]
NME     [22]

Playing Robots into Heaven received a score of 80 out of 100 on review aggregator Metacritic based on eighteen critics' reviews, indicating "universal acclaim" reception.[14]

Reviewing the album for AllMusic, Paul Simpson proclaimed that in, "Recapturing the creativity that made his work stand out in the U.K. club scene around the turn of the 2010s, Playing Robots into Heaven is some of the most honest work of Blake's career".[15] In Clash, Ben Rigotti stated that, "Playing Robots finds Blake not quite knowing how to juggle all these facets of his personality and throwing them all at the wall. There are flashes of gorgeous phrasing, incredible textures, and welcome experimentation, but the album is also completely all over the place. Still, Blake remains undeniably talented as a singer, songwriter and producer."[16] Ben Tipple of DIY wrote that the album "presents James as he currently stands; at once nostalgic and forward-thinking, and firmly back behind the decks", describing it as having "newfound frenetic energy".[17]

Writing for The Independent, Ben Tipple claimed that, "Blake clearly revels in the invention and freedom of the exploit. 'Fall Back' comes across as a very organic, found-sound kind of ambient concoction, as if someone has worked out how to recycle DJ software out of firewood and hemp."[18] At The Line of Best Fit, Elliot Burr felt that, "With skills and interests cemented across various styles, [Blake's] figuring out in real time exactly what he does best – providing floor fillers to club crowds or elevating his performances through complex production. Perhaps when he sings, 'Where are my wings? / they're loading', the artist is acknowledging that he's still to assume his most resolute form yet."[19] For Pitchfork, Dash Lewis concluded, "The results make for an inspired evolution of his sound, with Blake occasionally glancing in the rearview mirror as he moves in a new direction."[20]

The album earned two nominations at the 66th Annual Grammy Awards for Best Dance/Electronic Album while "Loading" was nominated for Best Dance/Electronic Recording.

Track listing

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Playing Robots into Heaven track listing
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Asking to Break"
2:52
2."Loading"
4:44
3."Tell Me"
  • Blake
  • McAndrews
5:00
4."Fall Back"
Blake4:01
5."He's Been Wonderful"
Blake3:21
6."Big Hammer"
  • Blake
  • McAndrews[a]
4:00
7."I Want You to Know"
4:47
8."Night Sky"
  • Blake
  • McAndrews
Blake3:39
9."Fire the Editor"
  • Blake
  • McAndrews
3:57
10."If You Can Hear Me"
  • Blake
  • Maker
2:24
11."Playing Robots into Heaven"BlakeBlake3:54
Total length:42:39

Notes

  • ^[c] signifies a co-producer.
  • ^[a] signifies an additional producer.
  • "I Want You to Know" interpolates "Beautiful", performed by Snoop Dogg, and featuring vocals by Pharrell and Charlie Wilson.

Personnel

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Charts

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Chart performance for Playing Robots into Heaven
Chart (2023) Peak
position
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)[23] 24
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia)[24] 92
French Albums (SNEP)[25] 192
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)[26] 32
Scottish Albums (OCC)[27] 27
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)[28] 75
UK Album Downloads (OCC)[29] 19
UK Dance Albums (OCC)[30] 1
US Top Dance/Electronic Albums (Billboard)[31] 13

References

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  1. ^ Fu, Eddie (23 May 2022). "James Blake Releases Wind Down, An Ambient Album Meant to Help You Sleep". Consequence. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
  2. ^ Cowen, Trace William (27 September 2022). "James Blake Responds to Kanye West Previewing New Music He Produced in London". Complex. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
  3. ^ Cummings-Grady, Mackenzie (2 November 2022). "Flatbush Zombies have '40 new songs' & unreleased James Blake-produced album". HipHopDX. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
  4. ^ Kenneally, Cerys (23 August 2022). "Kaytranada, James Blake and Thundercat have producer credits on JID's new album". Line of Best Fit. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
  5. ^ Caraan, Sophie (24 February 2023). "Don Toliver Enlists Future, James Blake, Toro y Moi and More for 'Love Sick'". Hypebeast. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
  6. ^ Murray, Robin (28 June 2023). "James Blake Launches New Album 'Playing Robots Into Heaven'". Clash. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
  7. ^ Strauss, Matthew (28 June 2023). "James Blake Announces New Album and Tour Dates, Shares Video: Watch". Pitchfork. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
  8. ^ Doherty, Kelly (28 June 2023). "James Blake's new album Playing Robots Into Heaven is set for vinyl". The Vinyl Factory. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
  9. ^ a b Bell, Kaelen (28 June 2023). "James Blake Announces Sixth Album 'Playing Robots into Heaven' and Tour, Shares New Song". Exclaim!. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
  10. ^ Lejarde, Arielle Lana (28 June 2023). "James Blake announces new album and reveals 2023 world tour dates". The Fader. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
  11. ^ a b Jones, Abby (28 June 2023). "James Blake Announces New Album Playing Robots Into Heaven, Shares 2023 Tour Dates". Consequence. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
  12. ^ Kreps, Daniel (28 June 2023). "James Blake Returns With New Album 'Playing Robots Into Heaven'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
  13. ^ Singh, Surej (28 June 2023). "Listen to James Blake's New Single 'Loading'". NME. Retrieved 21 September 2023.
  14. ^ a b "Playing Robots into Heaven by James Blake Reviews and Tracks". Metacritic. Retrieved 21 September 2023.
  15. ^ a b Simpson, Paul (8 September 2023). "James Blake - Playing Robots Into Heaven Album Reviews, Songs & More". AllMusic. Retrieved 21 September 2023.
  16. ^ a b Rigotti, Alex (7 September 2023). "James Blake - Playing Robots Into Heaven". Clash. Retrieved 8 September 2023.
  17. ^ a b Tipple, Ben (7 September 2023). "James Blake – Playing Robots into Heaven review". DIY. Retrieved 8 September 2023.
  18. ^ a b Tipple, Ben (8 September 2023). "James Blake, Playing Robots into Heaven review: Inspired new album reverts to factory settings". DIY. Retrieved 8 September 2023.
  19. ^ a b Burr, Elliot (7 September 2023). "James Blake recaptures the solo nightclub spotlight on Playing Robots Into Heaven". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved 8 September 2023.
  20. ^ a b Lewis, Dash (8 September 2023). "James Blake: Playing Robots Into Heaven Album Review". Pitchfork. Retrieved 8 September 2023.
  21. ^ Aswad, Jem (8 September 2023). "James Blake Brings Back the Weirdness With 'Playing Robots Into Heaven': Album Review". Variety. Retrieved 2 December 2023.
  22. ^ Jolley, Ben (8 September 2023). "James Blake – 'Playing Robots Into Heaven' review: super-producer goes back to his club roots". NME. Retrieved 2 December 2023.
  23. ^ "Ultratop.be – James Blake – Playing Robots into Heaven" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 1 October 2023.
  24. ^ "Ultratop.be – James Blake – Playing Robots into Heaven" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved 1 October 2023.
  25. ^ "Top Albums (Week 39, 2023)". Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved 2 October 2023.
  26. ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – James Blake – Playing Robots into Heaven" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved 29 September 2023.
  27. ^ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 30 September 2023.
  28. ^ "Swisscharts.com – James Blake – Playing Robots into Heaven". Hung Medien. Retrieved 1 October 2023.
  29. ^ "Official Album Downloads Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 16 September 2023.
  30. ^ "Official Dance Albums Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 29 September 2023.
  31. ^ "James Blake Chart History (Top Dance/Electronic Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved 3 October 2023.
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