Singer James Blake slams ‘sad boy’ label amid ‘epidemic of male depression and suicide’
Written by News on 28/05/2018
James Blake has called for less stigmatisation of men who are open about their feelings after his music was described as “sad boy” in a review.
The British singer-songwriter, who won the Mercury Prize for his 2013 album Overgrown, released his latest single “Don’t Miss It” on Friday.
At least one early review has described the piano-led track as “sad boy”, with the term used to describe sensitive male artists who sing openly about their feelings.
Blake tweeted a statement in which he referred to the term as being “unhealthy and problematic” in relation to the “epidemic of male depression and suicide”.
He wrote: “To label it at all, when we don’t ever question women discussing the things they are struggling with, contributes to the ever disastrous historical stigmatisation of men expressing themselves emotionally.
“We are already in an epidemic of male depression and suicide.
“We don’t need any further proof that we have hurt men with our questioning of their need to be vulnerable and open.
“It is only a good thing to talk about what is on your mind.”
Blake, who has released three studio albums since 2011, wrote that there is “no great victory in machismo and bravado”.
He added: “The road to mental health and happiness, which I feel so passionately about, is paved with honesty.
“Please don’t allow people who fear their own feelings to ever subliminally shame you out of getting anything off your chest or identifying with music that helps you.
“Sorry for the ‘sad boy’ letter but I’ve seen enough friends drown in this, and almost drowned in it myself because I bottled everything up, afraid of being seen as weak or soft.
“I now see the great strength, and benefit for those around you in actually opening up.”
The music review site Pitchfork described “Don’t Miss It” as “another beautifully brutal song to add to Blake’s large catalogue of sumptuous sad boy music”.
Pitchfork tweeted a link to their review with the post: “Yes, James Blake is still sad.”
Blake shared the post and wrote: “Case in point.”
The music site Last.fm lists “sadboy” artists, spelling the term as one word, on a designated webpage.
The rock band Joyce Manor, Swedish singer-songwriter Yung Lean, and the New Orleans rap duo Suicideboys feature as “sadboy” acts.
Blake’s comments come amid an increased drive for musicians to seek support if they are struggling with mental health issues.
Linkin Park’s frontman Chester Bennington was found dead aged 41 in his home near Los Angeles in 2017, with his death ruled a suicide.
Swedish DJ Avicii was found dead at the age of 28 in April with his family saying he “could not go on any longer”.
(c) Sky News 2018: Singer James Blake slams ‘sad boy’ label amid ‘epidemic of male depression and suicide’
