(Polydor)The singer-songwriter articulates the pain of lost friendships against a backdrop of chamber
music and trap pop
![James Blake: Friends That Break Your Heart review – a breakup album with a difference](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/972d9d43524b0e33427ae12036d56c45d7608dbe/0_76_2818_1692/master/2818.jpg?width=1200&height=630&quality=85&auto=format&fit=crop&overlay-align=bottom%2Cleft&overlay-width=100p&overlay-base64=L2ltZy9zdGF0aWMvb3ZlcmxheXMvdGctcmV2aWV3LTQucG5n&enable=upscale&s=2455e4153173eb4abf0544e201d3d777)
Assume Form, James Blake’s 2019 album, detailed his joy at being in love. Blake’s other half, the
Actor Jameela Jamil, politely requested he find a new subject next time.
He has obliged with a record about the pain of sundered friendships. Last year’s lockdowns helped him sort the keepers from the energy vampires; a few of these songs were trialled during Blake’s
Instagram Live gigs in 2020.