James Blake - Thrown Around

Single

12 Jun

If you've not lived under a rock for the last month, you would have seen James Blake battered and bruised for his new "hard-hitting" promotional campaign for Thrown Around (2024). Thrown Around looks to be another left turn for Blake's career as his discography has transitioned from melodic dubstep into the singer-songwriter that most people are known for with hit albums such as Overgrown (2013) and Assume Form (2019). Only last year, Blake started reintroducing more overt electronic elements back into his music with the release of Playing Robots into Heaven (2023). Thrown Around sees Blake look nostalgically backwards again. This time, though, it feels a lot more playful.

Thrown Around is a fresh direction for Blake. The record hits like a personal triumph, bookmarking the release of Blake's new streaming service (Vault), which puts more power into the hands of the artist. It combines both that and the rejection of musical conventions he seemingly had to adhere to. Throughout most of Blake's career, there's been a very vocal minority who disliked his transitions through different musical styles, touched upon in the stunning and rather humorous music video that some people are convinced was filmed in the Windows XP desktop background. On top of this, the music industry is a savage beast that only really cares about producing the next big hit, with a rigorous touring schedule and an ungodly amount of travel. It's no wonder that Blake may have wanted to distance himself from the clutches of that industry.

Thrown Around feels like a tongue-in-cheek rejection of the industry's toxicity. The song deals with Blake's conflicting views of fame touring and assumed creative constraints. It's a bittersweet 90s/00s symphony. Charismatic drum loops drive the track forward, updating the breakbeat craze of the summer, feeling more Primal Scream than Rudimental. Unlike the melancholy ones most people will be used to, Blake's unmistakable vocals add a soft and ethereal feel, melding perfectly with the layers of velvety pad and vocal harmonies. The deliciously dirty bassline adds enough grit to replicate the poppy grime boom of the time without feeling irritable or overdone. A healthy dose of throwback 90s piano house solidifies the good times, merging with Blake's more vibrant vocal stylings and making a more carefree record.

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