Say What You Will (song)

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This article is about the James Blake song. For other songs with the same title, see Say What You Will.

"Say What You Will"
Single by James Blake
from the album Friends That Break Your Heart
Released22 July 2021 (2021-07-22)
Length4:40
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • James Blake
  • Dominic Maker (co.)
  • Josh Stadlen (add.)
  • Jameela Jamil (add.)
James Blake singles chronology
"The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face"
(2020) 		"Say What You Will"
(2021) 		"Life Is Not the Same"
(2021)
Music video
"Say What You Will" on YouTube

"Say What You Will" is a song by English singer-songwriter and electronic music producer James Blake. It was written by Blake, Dominic Maker and Josh Stadlen. Its production was handled by Blake with co-producer Dominic Maker and additional production from Josh Stadlen and Jameela Jamil. The song was released on 22 July 2021 through Republic and Polydor Records, as the lead single from Blake's fifth studio album Friends That Break Your Heart.[1]

Composition[]

Upon its release, Blake revealed that the song was about "finding peace with who you are and where you're at regardless of how well other people seem to be doing, and the endless feeling of comparison."[2]

On his album commentary with Apple Music, Blake noted the track as "favorite song written in years".[3] He further added:

"It's the song that carries the most meaning in terms of my overall life. It’s more representative of my headspace as a whole, and I like songs that have a wider commentary baked into them. I was pleased with the reaction to it because I really tried to communicate where I am right now in an authentic way. At this point in my career, it can't be any other way. The formula to putting a song out has never changed. A good song will out in every single scenario. It needs to resonate with people, or it will disappear. And I know that feeling—I have released songs that for whatever reason have not resonated with people."[3]

Kitty Empire of The Guardian called the song as "a mellow anthem about self-worth".[4] Andrew Ryce of Resident Advisor described the track as "an elegant and hopeful song about self-acceptance".[5] Ella Kemp of NME called the track found Blake "at peace with potential haters, relishing criticism and setting himself free by choosing, quite simply, not to care anymore".[6]

Release[]

Blake announced the single on his Instagram, by sharing a photo of himself in front of a spread of magazines with music video co-star Finneas' face on the covers.[7] "Say What You Will" premiered on BBC Radio 1's Future Sounds with Annie Mac.[8]

Reception[]

"Say What You Will" received generally positive reviews from music critics. Andrea Cleary of The Irish Times praised Blake's vocal performances and compared it to Minnie Riperton.[9] Nathan Evans of Clash called the track "shows off the magic trick Blake's perfected by now" and commended Blake's vocal performances, described it as "unsettingly beautiful".[10] David Smyth of Evening Standard noted Blake's vocal experimentation on the song.[11] Shaad D'Souza of Pitchfork called the song as the most "arresting" track of its parent album Friends That Break Your Heart.[12]

Music video[]

An accompanying music video for "Say What You Will" was uploaded to Blake's official YouTube channel on 22 July 2021.[13] It was directed by Bear Damen.[14] The video stars singer and actor Finneas, alongside Blake.[15] In the video, Blake dramatizes his inferiority complex opposite Finneas.[16]

Live performances[]

Blake performed the track for the first time as an unreleased song during a concert at the Harvey Theater in Brooklyn, New York, United States on 17 December 2019.[17] He also performed it during an Instagram Live session on 6 April 2020.[18]

After the single release, Blake performed "Say What You Will" on the late-night talk show Jimmy Kimmel Live! on 16 September 2021.[19] He also included the song on the setlist of his Friends That Break Your Heart Tour (2021).[20]

References[]

  1. ^ Aswad, Jem (22 July 2021). "James Blake Drops New Song, 'Say What You Will'; Album and Tour in September". Variety. Retrieved 7 December 2021.
  2. ^ Waite, Thom (23 July 2021). "James Blake shares the video for new track 'Say What You Will'". Dazed. Retrieved 7 December 2021.
  3. ^ a b "Friends That Break Your Heart by James Blake on Apple Music". Apple Music. Retrieved 7 December 2021.
  4. ^ Empire, Kitty (10 October 2021). "James Blake: Friends That Break Your Heart review – a breakup album with a difference". The Guardian. Retrieved 7 December 2021.
  5. ^ Ryce, Andrew (27 July 2021). "James Blake - Say What You Will". Resident Advisor. Retrieved 7 December 2021.
  6. ^ Kemp, Ella (8 October 2021). "James Blake – 'Friends That Break Your Heart' review: fearless revelations and expansive sounds". NME. Retrieved 7 December 2021.
  7. ^ Peters, Daniel (21 July 2021). "James Blake announces 'Say What You Will', a new collaborative single with Finneas". NME. Retrieved 7 December 2021.
  8. ^ Price, Joe (23 July 2021). "James Blake Releases New Song and Video "Say What You Will," Announces Album (UPDATE)". Complex. Retrieved 7 December 2021.
  9. ^ Cleary, Andrea (8 October 2021). "James Blake: Friends That Break Your Heart – Still the bridesmaid". The Irish Times. Retrieved 7 December 2021.
  10. ^ Evans, Nathan (8 October 2021). "James Blake - Friends That Break Your Heart". Clash. Retrieved 7 December 2021.
  11. ^ Smyth, David (8 October 2021). "James Blake - Friends That Break Your Heart review: A refining of his style, but no great leap". Evening Standard. Retrieved 7 December 2021.
  12. ^ D'Souza, Shaad (8 October 2021). "James Blake: Friends That Break Your Heart Album Review". Pitchfork. Retrieved 7 December 2021.
  13. ^ "James Blake - Say What You Will (Official Video)". YouTube. 22 July 2021. Retrieved 7 December 2021.
  14. ^ "James Blake 'Say What You Will' by Bear Damon". Promo News. 6 August 2021. Retrieved 7 December 2021.
  15. ^ Curto, Justin (22 July 2021). "Finneas Is Better Than James Blake at Everything in 'Say What You Will' Video". Vulture. Retrieved 7 December 2021.
  16. ^ Moen, Matt (22 July 2021). "Go Behind the Scenes of James Blake's Video With Finneas". Paper. Retrieved 7 December 2021.
  17. ^ Sobolik, Thomas (18 December 2019). "James Blake covered Aqua's Barbie Girl in an intimate Brooklyn gig". The Face. Retrieved 7 December 2021.
  18. ^ Pauwels, Stefaan (8 April 2020). "James Blake - Instagram Live (April 6, 2020)". Knotoryus. Retrieved 7 December 2021.
  19. ^ "James Blake - Say What You Will (Live on Jimmy Kimmel Live!)". YouTube. 21 September 2021. Retrieved 7 December 2021.
  20. ^ Barnett, Sylvie (18 October 2021). "Event Review: James Blake delivers spellbinding Hollywood Bowl performance". Magnetic. Retrieved 7 December 2021.
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