You're Too Precious

James Blake first teased "You're Too Precious" in October 2019 at the Austin City Limits Music Festival, disclosing that he was "really excited about" sharing it, but was unsure as to when it would be released. In an Instagram Live video on 20 April 2020, he revealed that the track originated from an idea that frequent collaborator Dominic Maker of English electronic music duo Mount Kimbie had sent him cut from a piano and vocal recording that Blake had made. He added that he wrote the song spontaneously in his home studio after he suddenly woke up at 4 a.m., before immediately going back to sleep. The song was finally released on four days later via Polydor Records, with Blake saying that he "thought it might be a nice accompaniment to a lockdown dinner." == Composition and lyrics ==

"You're Too Precious" was written and produced by Blake alongside Maker. Discussing the track in October 2019, Blake revealed that it was about "wanting to take a little bit of someone’s load and just loving that person," and told Apple Music that it reflected how "after a certain amount of time, somebody becomes too precious to lose, and now you want to protect them in any way you can," referring to his girlfriend Jameela Jamil. Musically, "You're Too Precious" is a pop song "hardened bass" and "what sounds like castanets," BrooklynVegans Andrew Sacher noted that the track initially recalls the "atmospheric, experimental side" of Blake's earlier work before building to "the more pop-oriented direction he tends to go in lately," while Josiah Hughes of Exclaim! claimed that "the song is either understated or packed with subtle layers depending on how closely you decide to listen." == Critical reception ==

"You're Too Precious" was met with critical acclaim, with critics describing it as "beautiful" and commending its structure. Carlos Hawthorn of Resident Advisor described it as "a beautiful song, busy yet cohesive, every piece with its place and purpose," comparing it favourably to Blake's 2018 single "If the Car Beside You Moves Ahead". while Frankie Dunn placed it on i-Ds list of the best music that came out that week, calling it "very beautiful." Consequence of Sound writer Wren Graves praised the use of sonic contrast in the production "like all the best of Blake," Josiah Hughes of Exclaim! considered the song "another fascinating production from Blake," while Robin Murray of Clash dubbed it a "purring, romantic hymn" and commended it as a "neat forward step" from his previous album. Writing for Dancing Astronaut, Chris Stack claimed that it "carries a haunting harmonic element for a perfect chiller or relaxation piece." == Music video ==

A music video for "You're Too Precious" premiered on YouTube on the song's release date, and was directed by Orfeo, who Blake described as an "unbelievable animator." Chris Stack of Dancing Astronaut considered that it "encapsulates the tender allure to the soft tonal sounds." == Charts ==