New York, NY 8 September 2023: Presenting his eagerly awaited new album, Playing Robots Into Heaven, is Mercury Music Prize and GRAMMY® Award–winning singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and producer James Blake.
Listen to PLAYING ROBOTS INTO HEAVEN HERE
The eleven songs on the album have been thoughtfully chosen by James Blake, who has stitched together an appealing vision anchored in cinematic sonic architecture and heightened by emotionally charged vocals and powerful songwriting. As captivating as each song is on its own, the album's journey begins with "Asking To Break" and ends with the grand conclusion on the title track, "Playing Robots Into Heaven." He skillfully blends alternative, electronic, indie, and experimental vibes throughout the record, as only he can.
Playing Robots Into Heaven was heralded with recent single “Loading”.Highlighting the intricacies and nuances of James’ signature style, it represents yet another artistic leap forward with its immersive production and irresistible refrain. Rolling Stone dubbed it “pulsating,” and HYPEBEAST noted, “Blake also shows off his vocals on ‘Loading’, tapping into his impressive falsetto that meshes seamlessly with the song’s melancholic melody.” DIY praised how it “showcases immersive production and glitchy beats alongside James’ rich vocal tones.” Complex summed it up best, “James Blake season is upon us.”
Blake initially set the stage for Playing Robots Into Heaven with the single “Big Hammer” (which samples The Ragga Twins), and the accompanying music video directed by Oscar Hudson (Radiohead, Bonobo).
James' highest charting album in the UK to date, Friends That Break Your Heart, is followed by Playing Robots Into Heaven, which sees James return to his electronic origins from his Hessle, Hemlock, and R&S records days. It will also make reference to his most recent project, the LA-based CMYK event series with Ronda INTL, which debuted in March. The past year's CMYK events have all been sold out in a matter of minutes and have included special performances by celebrities like Steve Lacy, Channel Tres, HAii, and others. The London CMYK event, which took place in July after James' arrival in the country, featured DJ Sets from Fauzia, Luxe, Airhead, and Mr. Assister as well as unexpected performances from The Ragga Twins and Erick The Architect, while James was joined by Lil Yachty in the DJ booth.
James will start a headline tour with stops in the UK, Europe, and North America to promote the release of Playing Robots Into Heaven. James' tour will begin on September 18 at the Fabrique in Milan and end on October 20 in Los Angeles before returning to his hometown of London on September 28 for a performance at the Alexandra Palace. For a complete list of dates, see below.
PLAYING ROBOTS INTO HEAVEN TRACKLISTING
1. Asking To Break
2. Loading
3. Tell Me
4. Fall Back
5. He’s Been Wonderful
6. Big Hammer
7. I Want You To Know
8. Night Sky
9. Fire The Editor
10. If You Can Hear Me
11. Playing Robots Into Heaven
JAMES BLAKE 2023 TOUR DATES
Sep-18
Milan, Italy
Fabrique
Sep-20
Paris, France
L'Olympia
Sep-21
Brussels, Belgium
Forest National Club
Sep-22
Paris, France
L’Olympia
SOLD OUT
Sep-24
Berlin, Germany
UFO im Velodrom
Sep-26
Tilburg, Netherlands
013
Sep-28
London, UK
Alexandra Palace
Oct-03
Atlanta, GA
Coca Cola Roxy
Oct-05
Queens, NY
Knockdown Center
SOLD OUT
Oct-06
Queens, NY
Knockdown Center
Oct-09
Boston, MA
MGM Music Hall at Fenway
Oct-10
Montreal, QC, Canada
L’Olympia
Oct-12
Toronto, ON, Canada
Rebel
Oct-14
Chicago, IL
Aragon Ballroom
Oct-16
San Francisco, CA
The Masonic Theater
Oct-19
Los Angeles, CA
Hollywood Forever Cemetery
SOLD OUT
Oct-20
Los Angeles, CA
Hollywood Forever Cemetery
Tickets are available to purchase now at www.jamesblakemusic.com
