| Blood | ||||
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| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 31 July 2015 | |||
| Recorded | 2013–2015 | |||
| Genre | Neo soul | |||
| Length | 40:37 | |||
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| Lianne La Havas chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Blood | ||||
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Blood is the second studio album by English singer Lianne La Havas. It was released on 31 July 2015 by Warner Bros. Records. Following the release of her critically acclaimed debut Is Your Love Big Enough? (2012), La Havas embarked on a variety of tours and festivals before traveling to Jamaica. During La Havas' time in Jamaica, she attempted to regain a connection with her roots; the exploration inspired La Havas to begin writing the follow-up to her debut. During her stay in Jamaica, La Havas met with reggae producer Stephen McGregor, who would subsequently go on to help produce the album.
As well as working with McGregor, La Havas reunited with past collaborator Matt Hales. La Havas co-wrote each of the album's songs and was credited as a co-producer on one. Havas cited the album as an homage towards her Jamaican and Greek bloodline, which in turn inspired the album's title. Blood was seen as a departure from the acoustic musical leanings of her debut Is Your Love Big Enough? (2012), taking on a neo soul and jazz style, with elements of R&B, doo-wop, reggae and gospel music. The album's songs were characterised as having heavy basses with electronic flourishes and lyrics focusing on love, relationships, and identity.
Upon release Blood was met with positive reviews from music critics, who praised the musical transition and its overall progression from La Havas' debut album. Commercially the album was successful, peaking at number two in the United Kingdom and number one in the Netherlands and Norway as well as making appearances on other charts. In order to promote the album La Havas ventured on numerous tours and supported Blood with the release of two singles—"Unstoppable" and "What You Don't Do"—both of which fared moderately. It received a nomination for Best Urban Contemporary Album at the 2016 Grammy Awards.