James Blake Returns To His Roots in New Album 'Playing Robots Into Heaven'

The followup to 2021’s ‘Friends That Break Your Heart.’

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James Blake has delivered his sixth studio album, Playing Robots Into Heaven.

Clocking in at approximately 40 minutes, the 11-track record features no guest appearances and is almost a return to form for Blake. Playing Robots Into Heaven hears him dive into his electronic roots while fusing alternative, indie and experimental sounds — creating a captivating soundscape that brings listeners on an incredible journey.

The album follows October 2021’s Friends That Break Your Heartwhich featured the likes of SZA and Monica Martin. It went on the peak at No. 4 on the UK Albums chart.

Stream James Blake’s Playing Robots Into Heaven on Spotify and Apple Music.


Elsewhere in music, Hypebeast caught up with Thundercat where he discussed his life’s work of touring, harnessing collaborative energy and live-action anime adaptations.

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Sophie Caraan
Sophie Caraan Managing Editor

Sophie Caraan is the Managing Editor at Hypebeast, where she sets the editorial direction, standards, and output strategy for the HQ team. With a decade of editorial experience, she brings both a storyteller's instinct and a strategist's eye — spotlighting the figures and movements that shape the culture across a multitude of lanes. Her tenure is marked by high-impact conversations with the likes of RZA, Mads Mikkelsen, CORTIS, Erling Haaland, Kasing Lung, NIGO, and more.

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