James Blake - Overgrown

Always one for slightly off-kilter and surreal imagery that looks like it could have come from a particularly creepy and particularly modern Grimms’ fairy tale, director Nabil has used his fantastical eye to create a striking and simple visual metaphor for the title track of James Blake’s stunning new LP ‘Overgrown’. Seeing the producer literally leave the confines of his bedroom to take a stroll in a gloomy forest, the video mimics the trajectory that the London-based artist has been on the for the last few years – taking his uniquely soulful brand of electronic music to whole new heights both in terms of its reach and its emotional and sonic impact. And as if he didn’t have enough problems, once Blake is out in the wild, he’s pursued by hooded figures who presumably represent the invasive music press, rabid fans or his own anxiety. Looking out over the ocean doesn’t make things any more reassuring, given the knowledge that the music business is a sinking ship right now. If there’s a silver lining to take from all this, it’s that this is a sumptuously beautiful video, and Overgrown is one of several, unrelenting high points on what is a triumphant second album. So do watch it – but don’t say we didn’t warn you.

Polydor released ‘Overgrown’ on the 8th April 2013.