About

A TAV Curator's Pick.

Blood is the second studio album by British recording artist Lianne La Havas, which was released through Warner Bros. Records on July 31, 2015. Following the release of her critically acclaimed debut Is Your Love Big Enough? (2012) La Havas embarked on a variety of tours and festivals before travelling to Jamaica. During La Havas' time in Jamaica, she attempted to regain a connection with her roots, the exploration inspired La Havas to begin writing the follow up to her debut. There, Lianne met with reggae producer Stephen McGregor who would subsequently go on to help produce the album.

As well as working with McGregor, La Havas reunited with past collaborator Matt Hales. La Havas co-wrote each of the album's songs and was credited as a co-producer on one. La Havas cited the album as homage to her Jamaican and Greek bloodline, which in turn inspired the album's title. Blood was seen as departure from the acoustic musical leanings of her debut Is Your Love Big Enough? (2012), taking on a neo soul and jazz style, with elements of R&B, doo-wop, reggae and gospel music. The album's songs were characterised as having heavy basses with electronic flourishes and lyrics focusing on love, relationships and identity.

Upon release, Blood was met with positive reviews from music critics, who praised the musical transition and its overall progression from La Havas’ debut album. Commercially, the album was successful, peaking at number two in the United Kingdom and number one in the Netherlands and Norway as well as making appearances on other charts. It received a nomination for Best Urban Contemporary Album at the 2016 Grammy Awards. – Wiki

“The English songwriter Lianne La Havas' voice marries youthful lightness with a gravitas most often ascribed to artists well beyond her 25 years. Her complex, layered second album is dynamic and poignantly self-assured…

Blood is an almost seamless album. Tracks flow into one another with the fluidity and serenity of rain into a freshwater pond—light, refreshing, natural. But there is substance moving here, weight in the currents. La Havas' even, powerful vocals ride syrupy strings with grace and latch onto sharper rhythms with authority. She is deft and adaptive, at once inspiring dancing and melancholy reflection: La Havas is always in motion.” – Pitchfork

“Blood’s most engaging moments come when La Havas pierces through the layer of polish that’s coated her work to date. She has a penchant for adventure, and her risks pay off here; her talent doesn’t just lie in her ability to hit all the right notes with perfect timbre, but in the way she manages to play off her production and corner her own voice into moments of danger. Blood lets her edge away from safety, and it wouldn’t be surprising if her next move takes an even sharper turn.” – Consequence of Sound

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