Bloc Party will be back in 2016 with their new album Hymns, the first since they announced a hiatus in 2013.
The band recently announced January 29 as the release date for their new album which showcase a different sound again for the band, who have never been afraid of experimenting with their music. Lead singer Kele has also released two solo albums, The Boxer (2010) and Trick (2014), as well as an EP called The Hunter (2011). He’s also recently done a lot DJ and featured work. His solo sound, which is more electronic is something that has gradually and sporadically made it’s way into Bloc Party’s music. However they have also always managed to keep their traditional drums and guitar signatures as well as their more tender ballads.
The new album seems as though it will be a mix of all their previous styles if what we’ve heard so far is anything to go by. Single The Love Within is an upbeat, sound effects focused dance inducing track while Exes is very much more of a ballad and perhaps the best of the new stuff. The Good News falls somewhere in between, but oddly enough reminds me of a rocky country song.
In the past two years bassist Gordon Moakes and drummer Matt Tong have left the band and Hymns will be the first of Bloc Party’s five albums without them. This year marks the ten-year anniversary of their 2005 debut Silent Alarm.
A total of 15 songs have been listed on the album, one which Kele seems to be very proud of. He spoke about the direction the band has gone in.
“The range of the songs is quite extreme and quite diverse. In terms of an overall aesthetic, it definitely feels like we’ve moved into a different place in terms of recording and arranging. It’s us but it feels like it’s us in a way that we haven’t ever been before.”
The question from many fans will surely revolve around whether Bloc Party can be the same great band they were without two of their founding members. The presence of the multi-talented Okereke will go a long way to ensuring they are.
Which of their new tracks do you prefer?
