Jamie Isaac - Softly Draining Seas

In the wake of James Blake's warm, soulful and cautiously vulnerable second record, 18 year old singer/songwriter Jamie Isaac follows eagerly in his footsteps. "Softly Draining Seas" is led by heartbreaking, shimmering piano chords, immersed in distant voiceless wails and gentle pads, as Jamie's milky voice voice soothes and caresses. Whilst James Blake's voice cracks with hidden sorrow and defeated melancholy, the young Jamie Isaac sings with an air of innocence, peacefulness and even a trace of hope. If James Blake is the companion of electronic melancholia, Jamie Isaac is the antidote.

FOR FANS OF: James Blake, London Grammar, Bon Iver

James Blake & Brian Eno - Digital Lion

In a year so far tame and occasionally disappointing with decent new releases, James Blake's "Overgrown" is set to be the crowning glory of music in early 2013. "Retrograde" was an instant classic, the sound of Blake's confidence as a singer and songwriter finally shining as bright as his innovation in electronica, and now his collaboration with Brian Eno, "Digital Lion", also from "Overgrown", emerges just as triumphant and impressive as "Retrograde" was. 

Eno can be heard in the shimmering, warm, 70s-flecked pads, but Blake's voice steals the show as it breaks through the fuzzy atmosphere like a ray of sunshine, rather than hiding his gorgeous jazzy croon beneath it. However, once the sub-shattering bass kicks in, and windy percussion begins to eat up the track, you know this is no mere vocal spot. Blake may be more confident in his tunefulness this time around, but he hasn't forgot how to make a dirty noise either.

FOR FANS OF: Boards of Canada, Four Tet, XXYYXX