Blackshaw, James

***As long-time admirers of his six and twelve-string wizardry, Amish Records is very excited to announce the release of James Blackshaw’s (kinda) new album, Unraveling In Your Hands. Originally released digitally in November 2024, solely on James’ Bandcamp.

The album marks the first music James has released since his self-imposed hiatus in 2016. After much personal tumult including a broken shoulder, the loss of his job and the death of his beloved dog Dexter, James finally felt the pull back to music. He begun to work, not even knowing if his injury would allow him to play the guitar, and then, late last year Unraveling In Your Hands quietly appeared.

The title track is the album’s center piece, a 27-minute meditation of precise guitar phrasings and shimmering harmonics, recorded in a single take. In UNCUT, Jon Dale says it’s “an unrelenting, hypnotic stream of shivering strings, tiny flecks of light dazzling as you plunge deep into the repetition, while following a snaky melody through the thickets—is certainly unforgettable.” “Dexter" is a somber piece with a minimal organ melody enveloped by droning woodwinds and scratching strings provided by multi-instrumentalist and long- time collaborator, Charlotte Glasson. Finally, "Why Keep Still?" moves back into familiar sonic territory with fingerpicked guitar accompanied by rolling piano notes. Pitchfork gave the album an 8.0 rating, stating, "The lucidity and beauty of this music feels hard-won, something to revere and cherish."