Pitchblack Premiere: James Blake 'Trying Times'

Pitchblack Premiere: James Blake 'Trying Times'

Please arrive by event start time as latecomers will not be admitted and refunds will not be offered.

A champion of artistic independence, James Blake is preparing to release his first fully independent album, Trying Times, in 2026. Trying Times is a masterful display of the breadth of his artistry and ability to articulate emotion with endearing transparency. James Blake traces the uneasy space between intimacy and isolation in an age of instability. The record moves along the pressure lines of modern life, where overwhelm becomes both subject and atmosphere. The result is a body of work suspended between hope and dread. It moves through the comfort of loving and being loved while recognising how fragile that safety can feel when global anxieties and private doubts pull in opposing directions.

Immerse yourself in this stunning new album at Pitchblack Playback’s exclusive pre-release listening session in the dark. Hear this beautiful record played loud in uncompressed audio on a powerful Gilda cinema sound system. No distractions; just you and the music.

Album duration: 44 minutes

 

What they say about Pitchblack Playback:

“This sounds great” — Rick Rubin
“A fabulous idea” — Jay Kay, Jamiroquai
“The optimal way to experience an album” — Max Richter
“This might just be my new favourite thing to do” — Nihal, BBC Radio 5 Live

Ticket includes Pitchblack Playback eye mask for extra darkness.

Pitchblack Playback hosts listening sessions in the dark on great sound systems around the world for upcoming and classic albums and curated mixtapes.

As recommended by The Guardian, GQ, Time Out and BBC 6 Music.

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