james blake - the sound of silence

Samantha Potter

Covers don’t get much better than when an artist manages to pull off their own version of an unexpected song, making it sound as if they could have originally released it themselves. For this to be done, a track of a completely different genre from the artists’ can be manipulated into their own style, yet it still manages to reminisce of the original in some way. James Blake has done just this with his own rendition of Simon & Garfunkel’s 1964 single The Sound of Silence, featuring Justin Vernon of Bon Iver. Blake aired the previously unheard track – dedicating it to a friend who recently passed - on his latest Radio 1 Residency show, closing his slot with it and leaving quite an impact.

The rendition has Blake’s signature synth sound: the consistent, almost structureless set of chords resemblant of an organ create a mournful atmosphere, that is topped with delicate vocals. Vernon & Blake have collaborated previously on their 2011 track Fall Creek Boys Choir, and, as in The Sound of Silence, their vocal styles complement each other in their perfectly executed harmonies. The cover diverges from Simon & Garfunkels’ in its minimalist, electronic sound; yet it still retains the melancholic feel of the original – a perfect balance which is so impressively achieved. James Blake has clearly mastered the art of creating inspiring covers: back in 2011, his debut album included a cover of Joni Mitchell’s A Case of You simply consisting of vocals and piano - a captivating interpretation of the song that is undoubtedly one of Blake’s most renowned tracks. Two years since the release of his last album Overgrown, James Blake is currently working on his third full-length to be titled Radio Silence. The album is set to feature collaborations from Justin Vernon – hence this well-received cover is a promising taster – and Kanye West: an unexpected pairing that is sure to be something extraordinary.