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All Blessed
All Blessed
All Blessed
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All Blessed
Studio album by
Faithless
Released23 October 2020
Recorded2015–2020
Length56:05
Label
Faithless chronology
Faithless 2.0
(2015) 		All Blessed
(2020) 		Champion Sound
(2025)
Singles from All Blessed
  1. "Synthesizer"
    Released: 28 August 2020
  2. "Innadadance"
    Released: 20 October 2020
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
The Arts DeskStarStarStar[1]
The TimesStarStarStar[2]

All Blessed is the seventh studio album by dance music act Faithless. It was released on 23 October 2020. It is their first studio album in 10 years, succeeding 2010's The Dance. It is also their first album which doesn't feature lead vocalist Maxi Jazz.

Background

[edit]

On 5 June 2020, the band released two edits of a new song, "Let the Music Decide", which featured the vocals of George the Poet and was only available for a limited time on music streaming platforms.

On 16 July 2020, Faithless released a follow up single, "This Feeling". Similar to "Let The Music Decide", this track also features a spoken poet known as Suli Breaks, with additional vocals by singer-songwriter Nathan Ball.

Another single with Nathan Ball on vocals, "Synthesizer", was released on 28 August 2020 alongside its music video, with an announcement for the release date of 23 October for the band's seventh album "All Blessed". The tracklist however does not feature the previous two singles "Let the Music Decide" and "This Feeling", making "Synthesizer" the album's first official single.

The album's second single "Innadadance" was released 20 October, three days before the album's release. It features Suli Breaks and Jazzie B.

Former vocalist Maxi Jazz is thanked in the album's sleeve notes for "passing the baton".

Track listing

[edit]

All music is composed by Faithless.

All Blessed
No.TitleLength
1."Poetry" (featuring Suli Breaks)3:39
2."Gains" (featuring Suli Breaks)3:27
3."I Need Someone" (featuring Nathan Ball and Caleb Femi)4:54
4."Remember" (featuring Suli Breaks and LSK)7:05
5."Synthesizer" (featuring Nathan Ball)6:15
6."My Town" (featuring Gaika)5:54
7."What Shall I Do?"4:26
8."Friendship"2:17
9."Walk In My Shoes"2:44
10."All Blessed"4:38
11."Innadadance" (featuring Suli Breaks and Jazzie B)4:07
12."Take Your Time" (featuring Damien Jurado and Suli Breaks)6:39
Total length:56:05

Personnel

[edit]

Faithless

Additional musicians

  • Suli Breaks – guest vocals on tracks 1, 2, 4, 11, 12
  • Nathan Ball – guest vocals on tracks 3, 5
  • Caleb Femi – guest vocals on track 3
  • LSK – guest vocals on track 4
  • Gaika – guest vocals on track 6
  • Jazzie B – guest vocals on track 11
  • Damien Jurado – guest vocals on track 12

Charts

[edit]
Chart performance for All Blessed
Chart (2020) Peak
position
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)[3] 22
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia)[4] 50
Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)[5] 46
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)[6] 44
Irish Albums (IRMA)[7] 74
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)[8] 20
UK Albums (OCC)[9] 6

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

All Blessed

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
All Blessed is the seventh studio album by the English group , released on 23 October 2020 by . It marks the band's first full-length studio release in a decade, following their 2011 album The Dance Never Ends, and is their first project without longtime frontman , who left the band in 2011 and died in 2022. It was followed by their eighth studio album, , in 2025. Composed primarily by core members and , the comprises 12 tracks that blend , , and trip-hop elements with introspective spoken-word and orchestral flourishes. Notable collaborations include Suli Breaks on tracks like "Poetry" and "All Blessed," singer Nathan on "I Need Someone," rapper Gaika on "What Shall I Do?," folk artist on "Forever Free," and founder on "Freedom." Thematically, All Blessed explores the human spirit, resilience, and conscious reflection amid global challenges, drawing inspiration from the and personal introspection. Upon release, the album received generally positive reviews for its emotional depth and collaborative spirit, though some critics noted a departure from Faithless's earlier anthemic hits like "Insomnia." It peaked at number six on the UK Albums Chart and was later expanded with a deluxe edition in November 2021, adding remixes and additional tracks. The album underscores Faithless's enduring influence in electronic music, with a focus on lyrical substance over pure club energy.

Background and development

Conception and influences

All Blessed serves as Faithless's seventh studio album and their first collection of original material in a decade, succeeding The Dance from 2010. The project emerged from a period of hiatus, with core members and spearheading its creation after the band's 2011 announcement of stepping back from extensive touring. This marked the first Faithless album without lead vocals from longtime frontman , who had shifted focus to his Maxi Jazz & the E-Type Boys after a brief reunion with for the 2015 Faithless 2.0 project and tours, departing for the final time in 2016; however, the express gratitude to him for "passing the baton." and drew on their established collaborative ethos, enlisting a diverse array of vocalists and contributors such as poet Caleb Femi, rapper GAIKA, and singer to infuse fresh perspectives into the electronic soundscape. Their motivations centered on crafting spiritually resonant that incorporated poetic spoken-word elements and addressed pressing global concerns, including and societal division, aiming to promote compassion and unity through electronic dance. Influences extended to contemporary humanitarian crises, particularly the situation, which inspired the album's cover artwork—a poignant image of migrants captured by award-winning photojournalist Yannis Behrakis for . Sister Bliss emphasized the desire for renewal, blending analog synths with modern production to evoke a hypnotic, hymn-like quality while maintaining Faithless's signature depth. The album was officially announced on August 28, 2020, alongside the "," reflecting a post-hiatus emphasis on relevance and connection in turbulent times.

Recording and production

The recording of All Blessed took place primarily in London-based studios, including Ark Studio, Soundkitchen, Bliss Productions, Sensible Studios, and Red Light Studios, spanning 2019 to 2020. This period marked Faithless's return to studio work after a decade, with core members and leading the production. contributed keyboards and orchestration, emphasizing emotional textures and layered arrangements, while handled mixing, arrangements, and the integration of guest elements. Early sessions in 2019 focused on collaborative songwriting, but the onset of the in 2020 introduced remote contributions, particularly for vocalists like Nathan Ball and Suli Breaks, who participated via digital means after initial connections through management and poetry events. Key collaborators included spoken-word poet Suli Breaks, who delivered poetry-infused verses on tracks like "Poetry" and "Gains," singer-songwriter Nathan Ball on emotive leads, poet Caleb Femi for lyrical depth, and founder for guest vocals, creating a diverse ensemble to fill the vocal space. Production techniques blended electronic and organic elements, featuring layered synthesizers such as vintage for rich, analog warmth, trance-influenced beats from drum machines, and live instrumentation like acoustic guitars and organs to achieve a spacious, headphone-friendly sound. A major challenge was adapting to the absence of longtime frontman , who had departed in 2016 to pursue other projects, prompting the shift to a vocal dynamic with multiple artists rather than a single lead voice. This approach, combined with pandemic-related isolation, fostered a fresh group energy while maintaining Faithless's signature electronic depth.

Music and themes

Musical style

All Blessed is predominantly an electronic dance album incorporating , , and influences across its 12 tracks, which collectively run for 56:05. The sound draws from electronic, , and pop genres, with stylistic elements including , , , and dub, reflecting Faithless's signature blend of uplifting rhythms and atmospheric textures. Key sonic features include pulsing basslines, atmospheric synths, and rhythmic builds that create a mix of upbeat anthems and introspective grooves. Production highlights driving bass, synth riffs, wispy synth lines, four-to-the-floor beats, and atmospheric drops, contributing to a warm, spacious, and enveloping quality suited for both dancefloors and . The use of samples and loops, including sampledelic elements and ethereal pads, enhances the spiritual uplift, evoking a sense of transcendence through layered electronic production. In terms of , All Blessed represents a more collaborative approach compared to Faithless's earlier club-focused albums, featuring diverse guest vocals in place of the central role previously held by , and placing reduced emphasis on rap elements in favor of poetic and soulful expressions. This shift marks "Faithless 3.0," refreshing their sound after a decade-long hiatus while maintaining core hallmarks like ambient vibes and synth builds. The album echoes culture through its magpie-like club style and post-trance roots but updates them with modern electronic techniques, including trop-housey and Balearic influences for a mature, reinvigorated aesthetic.

Lyrics and concepts

The album All Blessed centers on themes of , , and global humanity, drawing from Buddhist influences in its exploration of and collective well-being. The title track and overarching narrative emphasize recognizing personal and shared blessings amid adversity, reflecting a conscious effort to foster tolerance and connection in a polarized world. This focus extends to and experiences, highlighted by the cover art featuring photojournalist Yannis Behrakis' image of refugees on a , symbolizing both desolation and hope for unity. Lyrically, the album incorporates poetic spoken-word elements, particularly through collaborator Suli Breaks, who delivers abstract reflections on life, loss, and human connection across multiple tracks. These contributions blend with motivational mantras, encouraging themes of surrender to the present moment and mental resilience in facing challenges. Tracks address via diverse ensemble vocals from artists like Nathan Ball, Caleb Femi, and , promoting ideas of collective strength and dance as a form of and . Marking the first Faithless album without longtime frontman —who contributed poetic lyricism in prior works—the project shifts to ensemble vocals that underscore a sense of blessing rather than individual narratives, honoring his spiritual legacy while evolving the group's sound. This approach amplifies the album's emphasis on shared human experiences, with lyrics serving as dialogue-starters for and presence in everyday struggles.

Release and promotion

Singles

The from All Blessed, "" featuring Nathan Ball, was released on 28 August 2020 as a digital download and for streaming. Described as an uplifting electronic pop track with synth-heavy production, it served as the album's first preview, highlighting Faithless's signature blend of and ambient elements. An official accompanied the release, emphasizing visual motifs of escapism and rhythmic flow. The single received on as part of promotional sessions tied to the album's spiritual dance themes. On the UK Official Singles Sales Chart, it peaked at number 98 during its single week. The second single, "Innadadance" featuring Suli Breaks and Jazzie B, followed on 20 October 2020, also available as a digital download and stream to promote album pre-orders. This upbeat progressive house track evoked a modern old-school dance anthem, aligning with the album's ethos of communal movement and refuge through music. An official audio release was shared, later supplemented by a music video for its Meduza remix that reinforced themes of joyful escape and unity. It garnered radio support on BBC Radio 2 and 6 Music, contributing to minor airplay success without major chart entries.

Marketing and artwork

The album All Blessed was released on 23 October 2020 through in multiple formats, including CD, vinyl LP, and digital download. A deluxe edition followed on 5 November 2021, expanding the original tracklist with bonus tracks, extended mixes, and remixes by artists such as , , Paul Woolford, and Alok, available in a triple vinyl LP set and updated digital package. The physical deluxe packaging features liner notes crediting former vocalist for "passing the baton." The album's visual identity centers on its front cover, which incorporates a poignant photograph by the late Greek photojournalist Yannis Behrakis capturing refugees adrift at sea during the European migrant crisis, aiming to underscore themes of hope and humanity amid global turmoil. This imagery aligns with the album's overarching focus on and social issues, reflecting Faithless's tradition of politically charged aesthetics. Promotion for All Blessed adapted to the COVID-19 pandemic through virtual listening parties and targeted campaigns that highlighted collaborations with guest artists like Suli Breaks, GAIKA, and Nathan Ball. No comprehensive world tour materialized due to ongoing restrictions, though the band delivered select live performances in 2021, including a DJ set at festival. Post-release efforts included a 2021 vinyl reissue of the deluxe edition and enhanced streaming availability to sustain visibility on platforms like and .

Content details

Track listing

The standard edition of All Blessed features 12 tracks with a total running time of 56 minutes and 5 seconds.
No.TitleFeatured artist(s)Duration
1""Suli Breaks3:38
2"Gains"Suli Breaks3:27
3"I Need Someone"Nathan Ball, Caleb Femi4:54
4"Remember"Suli Breaks, LSK7:04
5""Nathan Ball6:15
6"My Town"GAIKA5:54
7"What Shall I Do?"None4:26
8"Friendship"None2:17
9"Walk in My Shoes"None2:44
10"All Blessed"None4:38
11"Innadadance"Suli Breaks, 4:07
12"Take Your Time"Damien Jurado, Suli Breaks6:39
Songwriting and production credits for the are primarily attributed to members and , with contributions from featured artists on select tracks. A deluxe edition, released in 2021, expands the with and bonus tracks, including "I Need Someone (Paul Woolford )" and "This Feeling (feat. Nathan Ball and Suli Breaks)".

Production and Core Band

The album was produced by and (Ayalah Bentovim), who also handled mixing on all tracks. contributed keyboards, bass, and drums across the album, while provided programming and additional instrumentation. also served as a recording engineer alongside others.

Guest Vocalists and Performers

Guest vocalists included Suli Breaks, who provided rap and on multiple tracks including "Poetry," "Gains," "Remember," "Innadadance," and "Take Your Time." Nathan Ball delivered vocals on "I Need Someone" and "Synthesizer." Caleb Femi appeared on "I Need Someone." contributed toasting on "Innadadance." Other vocal contributors were on "Take Your Time," GAIKA on "My Town," LSK on "Remember," Freakeye The Left, Dickon Gough, and Ed Raison on select tracks.

Additional Musicians

Max Rad played guitar on the . Backing and additional vocal support came from the listed guest performers where relevant to individual tracks.

Technical Crew

Recording engineers included Ben Redlight, David Pye, Goetz Botzenhardt, Jon Moon, LSK, and , with sessions held at studios such as Ark Studio and Bliss Productions. The was mastered by Eric James. Design was handled by Matt de Jong and Jamie-James , with photography by Yannis Behrakis.

Reception and legacy

Critical response

Upon its release, All Blessed received generally positive to mixed reviews from critics, who praised its emotional depth and diverse collaborations while critiquing it for lacking the innovation of Faithless's earlier work. The album was seen as a respectful evolution following Maxi Jazz's final departure in 2016, with and incorporating fresh vocalists to carry forward the band's spiritual ethos. In The Arts Desk, the album earned 3 out of 5 stars, with reviewer noting its uplifting vibes and reinvigorated sound through guest artists like Suli Breaks and Gaika, but describing it as somewhat formulaic with a persistent "trite new agey vibe." Similarly, awarded it 3 stars, highlighting the diversity of guest contributors and its cool, soulful spiritual trance suitable for reflective listening, though it fell short of recapturing the anthemic energy of 1996's Reverence. musicOMH gave it 3.5 stars, commending its introspective shift toward conscious themes of and anxiety, blended with the band's signature party energy. XS Noize offered a more enthusiastic 9 out of 10, praising the thematic relevance of unity and compassion through eclectic and thoughtful features. Critics commonly highlighted the album's strengths in spiritual anthems that evoke and connection, such as the seamless flow of tracks emphasizing and , while pointing to weaknesses in pacing and a reliance on familiar production tropes. The transition without was viewed as a baton-passing to new voices, maintaining emotional resonance without imitation. No aggregate exists for the album, but scores from available professional outlets average around 70 out of 100, while Album of the Year aggregates 78/100 based on 4 reviews, reflecting its solid but not groundbreaking reception. In the years following its release, particularly after Maxi Jazz's death in December 2022, retrospective commentary has nodded to All Blessed's prescience on themes of global unity and collective compassion amid personal and societal loss, aligning with the band's enduring ethos of egalitarian connection.

Commercial performance

All Blessed debuted at number 6 on the upon its release in October 2020, marking Faithless's highest-charting studio album since 2010's The Dance. The album secured the top position on the Official Dance Albums Chart and the Official Independent Albums Chart, where it maintained a presence for 30 and 13 weeks, respectively—the longest chart run for the band on the latter in several years. Internationally, the album performed solidly in European markets, peaking at number 20 on the Swiss Albums Chart with a three-week run, number 22 on the Belgian Flanders chart over two weeks, number 44 on the German Albums Chart for two weeks, and number 46 on the for one week. Its chart success in the UK was driven significantly by streaming activity on platforms such as and amid a competitive release landscape. While All Blessed did not attain major certifications from industry bodies like the BPI or IFPI, it showcased robust digital consumption across , aligning with Faithless's established fanbase in the electronic music sector. In 2025, following the release of Faithless's eighth studio Champion Sound, All Blessed experienced renewed interest, evidenced by increased vinyl sales as part of a broader resurgence in the band's catalog.

References

  1. https://www.allmusic.com/album/all-blessed-mw0003417904
  2. https://www.xsnoize.com/faithless-announce-their-first-new-album-in-ten-years-all-blessed-out-23-october/
  3. https://www.spin.com/2021/02/faithless-sister-bliss-interview/
  4. https://theartsdesk.com/new-music/album-faithless-all-blessed
  5. https://www.discogs.com/master/1827036-Faithless-All-Blessed
  6. https://www.musicomh.com/reviews/albums/faithless-all-blessed
  7. https://open.spotify.com/album/7K7043KUSpb6tHaK8cBlhu
  8. https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/faithless-all-blessed-interview-9472706/
  9. https://albumism.com/reviews/faithless-all-blessed
  10. https://www.prostudiomasters.com/album/page/98924
  11. https://www.xsnoize.com/album-review-faithless-all-blessed/
  12. https://www.nme.com/news/music/faithless-share-details-of-all-blessed-their-first-new-album-in-a-decade-2740394
  13. https://www.smoothradio.com/news/chill/faithless-new-album-champion-sound/
  14. https://www.discogs.com/release/16616274-Faithless-All-Blessed
  15. https://articles.roland.com/faithless-breaking-down-classic-tracks-with-sister-bliss/
  16. https://www.discogs.com/release/16100816-Faithless-All-Blessed
  17. https://www.thestudentpocketguide.com/2020/10/entertainment/music/faithless-sister-bliss-interview/
  18. https://mixmag.net/feature/faithless-festivals-clubs-open-performance
  19. https://www.ebay.com/itm/175688026817
  20. https://favoteca.com/favorites/faithless
  21. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KPcSPDdRUis
  22. https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000nmtn
  23. https://www.officialcharts.com/songs/faithless-ft-nathan-ball-synthesizer/
  24. https://www.facebook.com/Faithless/videos/innadadance-out-now/261970125217019/
  25. https://www.discogs.com/master/2772671-Faithless-Feat-Suli-Breaks-Jazzie-B-Innadadance
  26. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e6myE6z3fN4
  27. https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000s9g3
  28. https://ra.co/news/73384
  29. https://www.amoeba.com/all-blessed-lp-faithless/albums/4222252/
  30. https://mixmag.net/read/faithless-release-enhanced-version-of-album-news
  31. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/maxi-jazz-lead-singer-british-band-faithless-dies-at-65/
  32. https://musically.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Sandbox266-EOY-462933.pdf
  33. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L7xhar-FnTo
  34. https://www.albumoftheyear.org/album/274826-faithless-all-blessed.php
  35. https://superdeluxeedition.com/news/faithless-new-album-all-blessed/
  36. https://www.discogs.com/release/19926151-Faithless-All-Blessed-Deluxe-Edition
  37. https://musicbrainz.org/release/62eace59-9e7f-4b10-afb2-049e3daf82c5
  38. https://www.discogs.com/release/16132152-Faithless-All-Blessed
  39. https://genius.com/albums/Faithless/All-blessed
  40. https://www.thetimes.com/culture/music/article/faithless-all-blessed-review-cool-and-soulful-spiritual-trance-0tn9bsmmb
  41. https://renownedforsound.com/album-review-faithless-all-blessed/
  42. https://www.theguardian.com/music/article/2024/jun/11/faithless-interview-sister-bliss-maxi-jazz
  43. https://www.officialcharts.com/albums/faithless-all-blessed/
  44. https://australian-charts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Faithless&titel=All+Blessed&cat=a
  45. https://faithless.lnk.to/ChampionSound
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