James Blake Has Hired Justin Vernon And Kanye For Album Three

UK electro soul singer-songwriter and producer James Blake is writing music with Bon Iver‘s Justin Vernon and intermittently teaming up with rapper Kanye West in preparation for his third studio album.

During his first visit to Bonnaroo Music Festival, Blake discussed the new album in an interview with Billboard (below), and revealed just how much time he’s been spending with his collaborators.

“Justin – Bon Iver – I’ve done some writing with, and we’ll continue to do that,” Blake said. “And sporadically Kanye, when he’s around.”

Blake said that he’s not sure just what will end up on the final cut of his next record, but added that there’s a mysterious third collaborator who he’d rather not name-drop just yet. “It’s hard to say what will end up on the record, but it’s exciting times,” Blake said. “There’s somebody else I don’t want to mention right now, but who I’m really excited about too.”

Blake also told Billboard that his new album is roughly half-written. “I’d say that every song was about 50 percent done,” Blake noted, before reflecting on the creative freedoms he’s experienced since rising to fame with his 2011 self-titled debut.

“I’ve had a completely different life since the first album. I’ve had a lot more freedom since the first album, too,” Blake said. “The (album) I’m writing now, I’ve had more focus doing this than I have before. I’m having more fun I think.”

James Blake shared a new song by the name of 40455 in January 2014. His forthcoming third album will follow his 2013 Mercury Prize-winning release Overgrown. He also has a concert film in the works.

Check out James Blake’s Bonnarroo 2014 set in full, below.

Watch: James Blake Billboard interview, Bonnaroo 2014

Watch: James Blake Bonnaroo 2014 Set

http://youtu.be/qNaNte0vyh8

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