A new James Blake album is on the way, and if the UK crooner gets his wish, it’ll feature a collaboration with Kanye West.

In an interview with Miami New Times, Blake revealed that he’s “seventy percent done” with his third studio album, adding that the record should be release “in about five months.”



One thing he’s still waiting for is some time in the studio with Kanye. “I have a lot of respect for [Kanye], for what he has been releasing for years. We haven’t done a great deal of work in the same room yet, but we’ve done a few things, kind of helped each other with our own music. In terms of the actual collaboration for this record, it looks like we should be able to get something done. I know that there’s a specific song I would like him to be on, and if he can do that by the time my record comes out, that would be fantastic.” In the past, Blake also revealed intentions to collaborate with Bon Iver’s Justin Vernon and an undisclosed third collaborator he’s “really excited about.”

Discussing the album as a whole, Blake said, “I should hope that [the new album] will be a step on, as much as the second one was to the first. I guess I’ve taken a focus on the songwriting again, even more closely, and I’m dabbling in some different production techniques, things I’ve developed.”

“I’m currently single, so that’s changed,” he added. “A lot of things have changed in my life since the last record, and overall for the better, so I’m in a good place, I think. I’m in a good place to write in general, and I have been for quite a while.”

In recent months, Blake has debuted several songs (“200 Press”, “Building It Still”) as part of his weekly BBC Radio 1 residency. He told Miami New Times that he plans to perform at least two or three new songs during his upcoming run of American dates, which kick off November 30th in Toronto.

James Blake 2014 Tour Dates:

11/30 – Toronto, ON @ Mod Club *

12/01 – Brooklyn, NY @ Music Hall of Williamsburg *

12/05 – Miami, FL @ Young Arts *

12/07 – San Francisco, CA @ The Chapel *

12/09 – Los Angeles, CA @ The Roxy *

* = w/ Airhead