Album reviews: James Blake, Elaine Mai and Christy Dignam

A low-key English musician’s fifth album, a Mayo singer/songwriter’s debut and a solo outing from the Aslan frontman are reviewed this week

Christy Dignam places his often turbulent experiences under the microscope in his new solo album, The Man Who Stayed Alive. Picture: Bryan Meade

ELECTRONIC

James Blake

Friends That Break Your Heart (Republic Records)

For such a low-key musician, James Blake has worked with some of pop’s high shakers – Beyoncé, Jay-Z, Kendrick Lamar, Kanye West and Frank Ocean have all benefited from his subtle if not minimalist touches. As befits an artist whose production and co-writing often earn more plaudits than his original work, Blake’s fifth studio album is suitably unassuming. Across tracks as diverse as Show Me ...