Having gained much critical acclaim for his previous EPs, precocious British talent James Blake releases his debut long player – and what could be an early contender for various ‘best of 2011’ awards. Blake combines his classical piano background with sparse electronica, austere drum loops and that voice to create something intensely moody and at times quite breathtaking.

This is a record that benefits from close attention, preferably alone in a locked room or on headphones. It’s a slow burner and requires some work, but reveals new shimmering layers of beauty upon every listen. Absorbing.

Declan Murphy is from Readings St Kilda