A growing talent on the label, Blake has amassed a captive audience in recent years owing to his uniquely playful and often breakbeat-driven sound. After debuting on Anjunadeep in March 2023 with the ‘High Fidelity EP’, Blake was quick to follow up with the ‘Eyes Ablaze EP’. The highly sought-after title track became an instant fan favourite after featuring on label compilation Anjunadeep 14. ‘Eyes Ablaze’ is Blake’s creative interpretation of Blue Foundation’s cult classic single ‘Eyes On Fire’, (a track prominently featured in 2008 film ‘Twilight’), and showcased Blake’s unusual artistic inspirations.
Blake made his Anjunadeep touring debut at Explorations Festival 2024, playing a two-hour set on the Splendor stage followed by a six-hour poolside b2b with label legend Jody Wisternoff, with whom Blake collaborated with to create 2024 single ‘BLAM’. His touring has since exploded, kicking off the year with a set at The Mothership in Auckland, New Zealand, followed by an appearance at Anjunadeep Open Air Dubai and all three stops on Anjunadeep’s debut Australia tour, touching down in Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney. He made a triumphant return to the Splendor stage at Anjunadeep Explorations 2025, delivering a standout set packed with original music. Alongside announcing his forthcoming LP, ‘From Sydney With Love’, Blake is set to embark on a multi-date album tour across Australia, taking place towards the end of August and throughout September. He will stop off in Melbourne, Adelaide, and Brisbane amongst other key cities, with an exciting hometown show booked for Civic Underground in Sydney.
Blake.08’s debut album is the culmination of 15 years’ worth of creative passion and a deep desire to bring happiness to people through music. Written and produced entirely in his home studio, it captures the emotional highs and lows of that journey alongside countless long nights chasing the feeling that the music was finally right. ‘From Sydney With Love’ is Blake’s tribute to the city and community that made him who he is, from the beaches and harbour to the winding roads of Sydney’s Royal National Park. A lifelong motorsport enthusiast, Blake’s love of fast drives and late-night cruises became a core part of the album’s energy and artistic direction. First introduced to Anjunabeats and later Anjunadeep through artists like Mat Zo and Above & Beyond, their BBC Radio 1 Essential Mixes would accompany him on college trips, and in later life on night-time drives around the city. Featuring a range of collaborators such as Claxy, Nathan Ball, Seduna, Soschi and Gaz, Blake’s debut album is music designed for movement, whether driving or dancing. It’s emotionally charged, rhythmically driven, and reflective of a life lived in Sydney.
Blake Gilray was born in Maroubra, a beachside suburb of Sydney, and started producing music at a young age, first launching as one half of the duo Human Movement. In 2021, Blake decided to strike out on his own to produce breaks and electro as Blake.08, a moniker inspired by his beloved Roland TR-808 drum machine. Two years later, he made his label debut on Anjunadeep. While our relationship with Blake is still pretty fresh, he’s already made quite the impact. He’s released three EPs, several singles and two collaborations with Anjuna legends Jody Wisternoff and Qrion.
His debut album, ‘From Sydney With Love’, borrows its name from the title of the very first demo playlist Blake sent to us, and is the culmination of 15 years of creative passion. Written and produced entirely in his home studio, the album is a tribute to the city and community that made him who he is, from the beaches and harbour to the winding roads of Sydney’s Royal National Park that he is so fond of driving. Blake is something of a motorsports nut, and this creatively inspires a lot of his music.
His first releases as Blake.08 all feature artwork with cars on, and the particularly keen-eared among you will hear that in his Anjunadeep single ‘Star Sender’, you can hear a piece of dialogue from Japanese street-racing anime Initial D. Blake’s love of fast drives and late-night cruises became a core part of the energy and artistic direction of ‘From Sydney With Love’. Blake’s debut album is emotionally-charged, rhythmically-driven and designed for movement, whether on the dancefloor or behind the wheel…
“With ‘From Sydney With Love’ I set out to craft a sound that felt entirely my own, as free from outside influences as I could manage and rooted in the raw connection between rhythm and emotion. It’s music designed for movement, be it driving or dancing. I hope those who listen find themselves experiencing introspection and joy. Sydney is my city, it’s where I’ve moved through so many phases of life. Without Sydney, the culture, the people, my family, the beaches, the harbour…I wouldn’t be the person I am today.”
Blake will be taking his album on a tour around his home country.
Tracklist:
1 F.A.S.H Attack Blake.08 Seduna 4:02 Buy
2 The Change Of Love Blake.08 4:11 Buy
3 I Can't Hold On Blake.08 Nathan Ball 3:54 Buy
4 When The Beat's All Done Blake.08 3:37 Buy
5 Bass In The Area Blake.08 Claxy 3:39 Buy
6 Eyes Ablaze Blake.08 3:16 Buy
7 Explorations Blake.08 3:48 Buy
8 High Fidelity Blake.08 3:48 Buy
9 Loser's Pick Blake.08 Gaz 3:50 Buy
10 Restless Blake.08 Soschi 3:44 Buy
[review top="1"]
[item value="10"]Blake.08 - From Sydney with Love[/item]
[content title="Summary" label="Overall Score"] Blake.08’s “From Sydney with Love” is a standout release on Anjunadeep, showcasing a masterful blend of melodic depth, intricate sound design, and impeccable production values. The album features collaborations with Nathan Ball, Claxy, Gaz, and Soschi, each contributing to its diverse soundscape. Tracks like “F.A.S.H Attack” and “Bass In The Area” demonstrate Blake.08’s technical prowess, while “Eyes Ablaze” and “Restless” offer emotive, introspective moments. 1. F.A.S.H Attack Opening the album with a punch, "F.A.S.H Attack" serves as a sonic statement. The crisp, syncopated drum patterns are layered with glitchy textures, showcasing meticulous attention to percussive detailing. The bassline is deep and resonant, subtly modulating to maintain tension. Blake.08's use of stereo imaging here creates a wide, immersive soundscape, setting a high production benchmark for the rest of the album. 2. The Change of Love This track introduces melodic warmth through lush synth pads and a driving yet subdued beat. The production leans towards progressive house with a delicate touch on arpeggiated sequences that evolve gracefully. The reverb-drenched atmospherics and smooth transitions reflect Blake.08’s nuanced approach to dynamic range, balancing energy with emotional depth. 3. I Can't Hold On (feat. Nathan Ball) A standout collaboration, Nathan Ball’s ethereal vocals blend seamlessly with Blake.08’s emotive production. The track employs sidechain compression to create a pulsing rhythm, while subtle granular synthesis adds a textured, airy feel to the background layers. The buildup is restrained, emphasizing emotional resonance over peak energy. 4. When The Beat's All Done Driven by a groovy bassline and crisp hi-hats, this track leans into tech-house territory. Blake.08 utilizes minimalist elements effectively, with tight drum programming and occasional vocal chops adding flair. The breakdown showcases filtered synth stabs and creative use of delay effects, maintaining momentum without overwhelming the listener. 5. Bass In The Area (feat. Claxy)A bass-heavy anthem, "Bass In The Area" thrives on its infectious groove. The sub-bass is meticulously EQ’d to avoid muddiness, allowing the mid-range synth stabs to shine. Claxy’s contribution adds a dynamic layer, with call-and-response motifs enhancing the track’s dancefloor appeal. The crisp transient shaping on the percussion elements further amplifies its punch. 6. Eyes Ablaze "Eyes Ablaze" is a melodic introspective piece, characterized by a haunting chord progression and delicate plucked synths. The track’s reverb and delay settings create a dreamy atmosphere, while the subtle automation on filters adds evolving interest throughout. The production here is clean, allowing every element to breathe. 7. Explorations True to its name, "Explorations" ventures into experimental territory with unconventional time signatures and glitchy textures. Blake.08 employs granular synthesis and intricate modulation techniques, resulting in a rich, evolving sonic landscape. The layered pads and complex rhythmic patterns showcase advanced sound design skills. 8. High Fidelity A crisp, polished track that lives up to its title, "High Fidelity" features pristine production. The use of high-pass filters and subtle harmonic saturation gives the track a clean yet warm feel. Blake.08’s attention to detail in the stereo field is evident, with panning effects that add depth and movement. 9. Loser's Pick (feat. Gaz)This collaboration brings a playful energy, with Gaz’s influence evident in the quirky melodic hooks. The track features a tight, funky bassline complemented by sharp snare hits and glitchy percussive fills. The arrangement is dynamic, with clever automation on synth leads and effects that keep the listener engaged. 10. Restless (feat. Soschi) Closing the album on an emotive note, "Restless" is a beautiful fusion of downtempo beats and ambient textures. Soschi’s haunting vocals are processed with reverb and subtle pitch modulation, blending seamlessly with Blake.08’s delicate production. The track’s layered synths and gentle rhythmic elements create a sense of closure, leaving a lasting impression. "From Sydney with Love" is a testament to Blake.08’s versatility and technical prowess. The album showcases a masterful blend of melodic depth, intricate sound design, and impeccable production values, making it a standout release on Anjunadeep. #PureGold Love IT
[/content][item value="10"]Beat and Rhythm[/item]
[item value="10"]Basslines and Groove[/item]
[item value="10"] Melody [/item]
[item value="10"] Synths [/item]
[item value="10"]Breakdown[/item]
[item value="10"]Climax / Drop / Crescendo / Pay off moment[/item]
[item value="10"]Intensity, Drive and Energy[/item]
[item value="10"]Sound-design and Arrangement[/item]
[item value="10"]Overall Atmosphere[/item]
[item value="10"]Goosebumps / Shivers moments[/item]
[item value="10"]Emotional affinity and heartfelt moments[/item]
[item value="10"]Originality and Inventiveness[/item]
[item value="10"]Radio Friendly[/item]
[item value="10"]Vocals & lyrics[/item]
[item value="10"]You can’t get this memorable track out of your head[/item]
[item value="10"]It has potential to become an anthem or a classic[/item]
[/review]
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