British singer-songwriter James Blake has revealed his seventh solo album, Trying Times, marking his debut as a fully independent artist. The record, set for release on March 13, 2026, via Good Boy Records, features collaborations with rapper Dave and vocalist Monica Martin. The lead single, Death of Love, is out now, accompanied by a video featuring the London Welsh Male Voice Choir.
James Blake, known for his genre-blending electronic and soul music, parted ways with Republic Records two years ago and has now taken full control of his career, including tour bookings and music distribution. This shift is embodied in Trying Times, his first independent studio album, which he announced after teasing it on tryingtimes.info three days prior to the reveal.
In a press statement, Blake described the 12-track LP as a commentary on the relentlessness of modern life. The album cover depicts him spinning multiple plates, symbolizing the balancing act of artistic and business demands. Speaking to Variety, Blake reflected on his evolving perspective: “Before last year, I was an artist who very much buried my head in the sand in terms of business. And when I really looked into the machinations of what was going on behind each part of the industry... I saw that there are unethical parts of the model that are responsible for a massive transfer of wealth away from the artist.” He added, “It’s not that there’s no money there... It’s just being diverted to the wrong places, and the system is set up to not give you that information.”
The lead single, Death of Love, samples Leonard Cohen’s You Want It Darker and includes performances with the London Welsh Male Voice Choir. The video, directed by Harrison & Adair, captures a live rendition. Trying Times follows Blake's 2023 release, Playing Robots into Heaven, and builds on his history of high-profile collaborations, including recent work with Dave on the rapper's album The Boy Who Played The Harp and with composer Ludwig Göransson on the soundtrack for Ryan Coogler's Sinners.
Tracklist:
1. Walk Out Music
2. Death of Love
3. I Had a Dream She Took My Hand
4. Trying Times
5. Make Something Up
6. Didn’t Come to Argue [ft. Monica Martin]
7. Doesn’t Just Happen [ft. Dave]
8. Obsession
9. Rest of Your Life
10. Through the High Wire
11. Feel It Again
12. Just a Little Higher
This release highlights Blake's push for greater equity in the music industry amid his established collaborations with artists like Beyoncé, Frank Ocean, and Kendrick Lamar.
