Rumors have been circulating about concerning U.K. crooner James Blake's third studio album, Radio Silence — the most popular being that Kanye West and Justin Vernon of Bon Iver will appear on the album as special guests. Over 12 months since the initial rumor, Blake officially offered a statement on his collaborators.
As Redditors pointed out, the Overgrown singer clarified some gossip in an interview with Esquire magazine. When asked if there was any truth behind the Kanye and Vernon hearsay, the English electronic music producer and singer-songwriter answered, "I can confirm that they're on it. Kanye — I'm with him today. We'd already started on something ... today we should nail something down. If it doesn't end up on the album you know it hasn't worked."
If the release of "Radio Silence" earlier today wasn't enough to make Blake devotees' heads spin, this exciting news most certainly will. The first time the unlikely trio gathered together was for a song titled "Fall Creek Boys Choir." Vernon and Kanye worked closely on countless Yeezus tracks such as "Hold My Liquor" and "I Am a God," and the rapper even referred to Blake as "his favorite artist."
During Blake's set at Latitude Festival this weekend, he sneakily played the crowd his latest song from Radio Silence, a track of the same name. As DIYMag reports, it was disguised within the cover of Bill Withers' "Hope She'll Be Happier."
Justin Vernon hasn't put out fresh Bon Iver material in quite some time but when he performed at his co-curated Eaux Claires Festival, he dropped two new untitled tracks — giving fans an unexpected gift of innovative music. Kanye West recently performed alongside Iggy Azalea and Keith Urban at RBC Ottawa Bluesfest while Blake has kept busy crafting and promoting his latest studio album.
