James Blake Finds His Way Out of the Major Label Maze and Releases a New Album

James Blake, in a recent phone interview, spoke about the importance of selecting the right songs during an album rollout. “I think what makes a good rollout is the right songs get the love they deserve,” he reflected. As he navigates yet another album release, Blake appears to embrace the process rather than dread it.

“I’ve really built up a community … it feels like I know the people I’m delivering this record to,” he shared, citing impressive metrics from his recent performances. “We just sold a U.K. run out in under a minute, sold out the f— New York show in pre-sale. … I’ve never done that before.” With a hint of emotion in his voice, he added, “To be honest, it’s kind of emotional for me, seeing that they haven’t forgotten me.”

His new album, *Trying Times*, released recently, marks a significant moment in Blake’s career. This project feels like a return to his roots, reminiscent of his 2009 debut with the EP *Air & Lack Thereof*. The self-titled album in 2011 solidified his reputation, and Blake continued to gain acclaim, including a Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance in 2018 for his collaboration on “King’s Dead” from the *Black Panther* soundtrack.

However, his time within major labels came with challenges, particularly financial pressures that often constrained his artistic freedom. In April 2024, Blake announced on Instagram his departure from a major label to join the independent Good Boy Records, stating, “It feels scary to go independent, but here we are. Just trying to break free of the algorithm gods gatekeeping art.”

This decision coincided with a personal move, as Blake left Los Angeles after over a decade. “The whole time I was in L.A., it felt like people were just excited that there was someone famous on it,” he recalled, acknowledging the industry’s focus on profit over creativity. Initially, L.A. offered him a slower pace of life, but he soon recognized the darker side of its entertainment culture.

“I realized at some point, L.A. was for me … a sort of rehab where I needed to go to work things out,” Blake explained. He noted the city’s challenging dynamics, describing it as a place that financially drains talent. “You just plug into the matrix and that’s it. You’re just hooked up to the machine.”

Despite enjoying many positive experiences in L.A., he felt the need to return to London. “Coming back to London was great for me because the industry is not quite the same here, and it’s easier to live cheaply,” he said. He clarified that while L.A. is tied to the music industry’s mechanics, the city’s people were a different story. “I’ve had some of the happiest moments of my life in L.A. I’m so privileged and feel so grateful that I got to live there.”

Back in London, where he began recording music in his bedroom while attending Goldsmiths University, Blake faced financial challenges stemming from his transition to independence. After regaining stability, he created *Trying Times*, describing it as a project he is proud to promote. “I will stand on the rooftop and shout about it, probably forever,” he stated.

The album embodies the turbulence and serenity Blake has explored throughout his music, particularly evident in the track “Rest of Your Life.” Featuring a Dusty Springfield sample, Blake emphasized, “I love it.” The song showcases his signature production style and lyrical depth, utilizing repetition to evoke emotional release. “It’s playing on that sort of mantra thing,” he explained.

This approach is evident throughout his work; his debut single incorporated a looping refrain that resonates deeply. Similarly, he referenced his track “Life Round Here,” noting that mantra’s power lies in its ability to help listeners engage with their emotions without overthinking. “You can let people be in their bodies,” he noted.

Blake cited his album *The Colour in Anything* as a strong influence on *Trying Times*, particularly in its concise construction. He recounted a conversation with his partner, actress Jameela Jamil, who encouraged him to look within himself during the creation process. “You contain within you the answer to this record,” she advised.

A standout piece on the album, “Days Go By,” addresses Blake’s struggles with being present, reflecting his shift from blaming external circumstances for his challenges. He sings, “I can’t keep blaming the city / I can’t keep saying I’m busy / Days on days go by / And nothing gets done,” capturing a pivotal realization. “It’s a perfect encapsulation of, ‘S—, I need to grow, I need to figure this out,'” he reflected.

Through this album, Blake feels he has made significant progress. “I started on the road to building a blueprint for what the next phase of the music industry looks like,” he noted, highlighting his commitment to addressing royalty issues. His involvement in launching the direct-to-consumer platform vault.fm exemplifies his dedication to transforming industry practices.

“I’m working on something right now,” he mentioned, intentionally keeping details under wraps. “It’s just centralizing all of the different parts of the road map that I’ve been trying to build for myself.” In doing so, Blake hopes to pave the way for emerging artists to navigate their careers more effectively. “I’m not someone who’s gonna try and lead anything … I’m just pointing at stuff and going, ‘That’s transparent!’” he concluded.