James Blake

With dubstep breaking out in the UK underground, it could certainly use a worldwide ambassador. James Blake's stunning debut record could well earn him the title, though the 22-year old Brit defies being placed into any one category too easily. During his later years studying music at London's Goldsmiths University, Blake began recording electronic songs in his bedroom, eventually leading to a handful of EPs released between 2009 and 2010. His self-titled debut is rooted in sparse trip-hop beats and piano samples, with vocals carrying the warmth of Bon Iver and the intricacies of Thom Yorke. The recent graduate has a great ear for sound, though he isn't afraid of silence, which gives his downtempo music plenty of room to breathe. Stark and sincere, the soulful "The Wilhelm Scream" and "I Never Learnt to Share" show off Blake's interest in soul crooners from Stevie Wonder to D'Angelo. The recent graduate is at his absolute best when tearing through "Limit to Your Love," a cover from Feist's 2007 record, The Reminder. In the end, the record lacks the cohesiveness to attain "instant classic" status, with the standout songs overshadowing much of its darker recesses. Regardless, Blake's immense promise suggests he could be one recording session in a secluded cabin away from writing a masterpiece.