Blake is one of the artists of my journey into music reviewing. Simple as that. As a lyricist this lady is measured, concise, artistic, empathic, and kind. As a songwriter she’s professional and astute.

New single The Gift You Gave Me is a beautiful piano-led song about loss. Timed for release on Friday 20th December, the intent is to remind us that some of us are doing the hard yards right now, in the midst of silly season, dealing with the loss of a loved one. The questions. The gut-wrenching wish that time was more malleable in our hands. One more hour. Just one.

Originally the song was inspired by the story of Michael Hudner, and the loss of his son to that dreadful and insidious illness, mental health illness. I know Blake cares deeply about this subject, for which I admire and applaud her openness in revealing her own heart and soul time and time again. Still today, there are those who underestimate the danger of untreated, or unrecognised, mental health struggles. When one falls and needs help, it’s not a sign of weakness. It’s a sign that someone’s been strong for too long. The person who needs to understand that most is the person enduring the pain and isolation of the illness. This wonderful songwriter clearly knows this.

The song is a little under three minutes, and is a bitter-sweet melancholy vocal delivered in Blake‘s soulful soprano. It’s got a chorus that compels you to think. “We don’t get to deal the cards, we play them / So don’t try changing things that can’t be changed“. Blake recently lost her aunt to cancer, bringing this song ever deeper into her heart. You can hear it in her vocal delivery. There’s emotion, raw and unhidden.

Blake is already an established artist and songwriter. This single is yet another step skyward, in many, many ways. It’s going to be on the radio, I assure you. Across the spectrum of the commercial stations, the regionals and student stations. It’s not an overly complicated mix, but if it had been it would have possibly taken something from the raw, poignant vibe the song delivers in the way it’s been done.

Keep watching Blake. She sends out important messages, and she means it. I look forward to seeing and hearing this artist for many, many years. The song is The Gift You Gave Me. Quality.