Bloc Party Reveal New EP

Bloc Party have announced a new EP, entitled The Nextwave Sessions. The artwork looks like this:

The tracklist is as follows:
01. Ratchet
02. Obscene
03. Montreal
04. French Exit
05. Children Of The Future

The song Ratchet will be used as the first single, and will receive its premiere today on Zane Lowe's Radio 1 show (Tuesday 25th June) at 7.30pm (BST).

The EP follows the news that the band will soon be taking another hiatus before reconvening for a fifth full-length album.

Bloc Party To Take Another Break

Bloc Party have stated that they will be taking another short hiatus, similar to that seen between their 2008 album Intimacy and 2012 album Four. However, they will first be releasing an EP over the summer, the details of which are not yet known - but tracks rumoured for inclusion are Children Of The Future, Ratchet, X-cutioner, Montreal and French Exit.

Best Of 2012: #4

#4 - Bloc Party - Four

Conveniently coming in at #4, Bloc Party, a four-man band, come back with their fourth album, titled Four, with four circles on the cover... OK I'll stop now. But let me say, welcome back, Bloc Party. After branching out to electronic and industrial sounds on Intimacy (which I loved), and letting lead singer Kele Okereke let out some dance-y music on his solo album, the band are back to simplistic, guitar music. As they put it, they wanted it to sound like four guys playing in a room, straight from opening track So He Begins To Lie, which manages to sound slightly smooth even though it's quite a heavy track, particularly during the breakdown! They even include some ill-advised breaks on Real Talk and Team A where they put in random studio chatter - breasts and spider bites come up - but even without them, it sounds like they have achieved their goal. There is a bit of a heavier element to the album, such as the downright weird style-shifting Coliseum, the punky track dealing with last year's riots, titled Kettling,  or the absolutely gargantuan finale We're Not Good People. Elsewhere, we have straightforward pop tracks in first single Octopus (turning out to be slightly boring in light of the rest of the album), V.A.L.I.S. (how can you not enjoy a song that rhymes epiphany, philosophy, methyl amphetamines, conspiracy, theophany and phenomenology?!) and Truth, which has some slightly hilarious ooh-wooh-ooh moments, but stands out as the best on the album. There's also the amazing but weird 3*3, with its epic guitar, but incredibly creepy lyrics which are hoarsely whispered for the verses (It's about group sex, apparently!)And there are also more heartfelt moments, such as Real Talk, which has Snow Patrol singer Gary Lightbody's approval, or so I hear; Day Four, which is a decent chill-out tune, and is worth listening to just for the beautiful ending, and The Healing, which comes as a complete contrast to its successor (the previously mentioned monster of We're Not Good People). But, in summary, it's a welcome back for Bloc Party. Fans of Silent Alarm and not much else, take a listen to this one!

RECOMMEND: 3*3, Truth, We're Not Good People
LOW POINTS: Kettling, The Healing

Bloc Party Stream New Album

You can hear Bloc Party's new album, Four, in full from their website now. The album will be released on 20th August.

Bloc Party Unveil New Song

Bloc Party have revealed a new song off their forthcoming new album "Four". The song is a title track of sorts, seeing as it is called "Day Four", and was featured on the album trailer the band released a couple of months ago.

Have a listen here.

Bloc Party's Four - Full Lyrics

Below are the full lyrics to all twelve songs on Bloc Party's new album Four, which is due out on August 20th, including the single Octopus, which was released earlier this month.

01. SO HE BEGINS TO LIE
 The camera's watching, he takes a breath
Even though that they know that he knows
That they're onto him
He don't break a sweat, no

It grows and grows and grows inside of him
There's nothing there
All along he knows
Those mirrors started to lie to him
His reflection faded

The crowd are waiting, he takes the stage
Cross his heart, hand on heart, open heart
That he's gone legit
He was never there, no

As easy as closing his eyes, so he begins to lie

The camera's watching him
The camera's watching him lie


02. 3*3
Three times three, first cut first
Pierce the skin, it binds us
Spit, cum, blood, liquid wax
No one loves you as much as us

By all in me that's holy, by all in me that's blessed
I made to you a promise that this is forever and ever, amen

Three times three, lose all fear
Let the flames dry those tears
It takes hurt to be pure
Now you're one of, you're one of us

By all in me that's holy, by all in me that's blessed
I made to you a promise that this is forever and ever, amen

No means no - no, yes, no, yes, no, yes!


03. OCTOPUS
It hid and it hid in his bedroom
Psycho killer teen dream action film
Gonna show you how we get down in my hood
Bubbling bubbling cheap champagne
Leyendecker hole wrecker feel no pain
Lying face down when I swing your way
And what? What's my name, what's my name?

Mary Anna said it's a no-go
She don't feel like, she don't think so
I don't know why I feel like crying
Well come on, come on, say come on, come on

They ran and they ran from his classroom
Roll another 40, make them scream
Gonna show you how we do things in my hood
Tripping and a-tripping, then erase the tapes
John Wayne, Rob Roy feel no pain
This is the point where you look the other way

You done lost your mind

Mary Anna said it's a no-go
She don't feel like, she don't think so
I don't know why I feel like crying
Well come on, come on, say come on, come on


04. REAL TALK
Can we get real for a moment?
You’re my one and only friend
Watch the sunset from your sedan
Let your hand rest on mine

I’ve lived in every town
But here is where I find home
My mind is open and my body is yours
Show me the sign, please

I was so sure I was faulty and not able to love
But then you crept up on me
While I was dreaming
Whispered love into my ear

If you’re tired, I can drive us
We can go back to my place
My mind is open and my body is yours
Show me the sign, please


05. KETTLING
We smash the window, popo don't fuck around
As their cameras take pictures of us, we just laugh, we laugh
Because they can't stop this, we can feel it in our bones
The future's ours, yes it is, we can feel it in our bones

We drop the lighter into the gas
If the whole world is watching us, let them watch us, let them watch
Because they can't stop this, we can feel it in our bones
The future's ours, yes it is, we can feel it in our bones


06. DAY FOUR
It’s in the trees, it’s in the leaves
This time I know that I’ll stay clean
Anything it gives, anything it gives it will take back
The city’s here for you
My light burns low and I know it’s running out
They say stay brave but I know it will return

I’ve felt death rising from me
From my fingers and out my mouth
If you’re ever lonely, if you are alone stay that way
The city’s here for you
My light burns low and I know it’s running out
They say stay brave but I know it will return
On the fourth day, on day four


07. COLISEUM
Got a nightmare walking on two legs
There's a word for people like us
Can't shake the feeling we're moving backwards
History repeating itself

Ain't got time to prove, why even bother?
Just ignore the signs, ain't got time to lose
Can't change the drama, in time you'll see
The empire never ended

McSweeney draws first blood, teeth hit the floor
Fingers twitch on the remote, the crowd want more, more, more
They're waiting for the ground and pound to turn his face into raw meat
Little Johnny turns to mummy, "this is what I want to be"

Because pain is hopeful
Pain is holy
Pain is healthy
Pain heals

08. V.A.L.I.S.

When in motion, world is frozen
Talks in circles and Greek
He's into epiphany, he's into philosophy
He's into methyl amphetamines, he's into science
But he's lost his way, he's not the real me
But I can hear, I can hear him from my future
Show, show, show me, you gotta show me the way

Past and present are superimposed
He has seen this before
He's into conspiracy, he's into theophany
He's into phenomenology, he's into deeds
He don't mix his words, he's not the real me
But I can hear, I can hear him from my future
Show, show, show me, you gotta show me the way


09. TEAM A
How many times do I have to tell you that these are my things?
Been running your mouth, but people been listening
If you wanna throw down, we can go downtown
Any time, any damn time, any time of the week
See I know that you’re hating anticipating a breakthrough
Been there, done that, over with, bang
Ain’t nothing you can teach me
Ain’t got no time for Le Baron
Ain’t got no time for The Alibi
No we ain’t cool boy, don’t even try
I’m going to ruin your life

See we ain’t at school, snitches get stitches
You might be fast boy but I’m faster than you
So let’s make this clear, no misunderstandings
Better watch where you’re walking and watch what you say
Any time, any damn time, any time of the week
Ain’t got no time for Yo Yo
Ain’t got no time for The Groucho
No we ain’t cool and you don’t even know
I’m going to ruin your life

10. TRUTH

It was the truth that fell from these lips
It blinded us and then the darkness left
But I am yours now, respectfully
I am yours now, truthfully

It burnt the stain left on my mind
Our hearts, they beat, a quarter tone apart
Because I am yours now, respectfully
(Why couldn't I do it? You complete me)
I am yours now, truthfully
(Why couldn't I do it? You complete me)
Ooh-wooh-wooh, ooh-wooh-wooh...

Oh, our kind is hard to find
And if it will be, it will be with you
Because I am yours now, respectfully
(Why couldn't I do it? You complete me)
I am yours now, truthfully
(Why couldn't I do it? You complete me)
Ooh-wooh-wooh, ooh-wooh-wooh...

11. THE HEALING

Calm down, let the world spin round
There ain't no other place to be, take this lifeline
Skin tears but the flesh will weave back together again
Only scars now

Go easy, just be,
As life gets longer, got all the time you need
Stay with me, my dear
As life gets harder, whatever strikes, you'll heal

Breathe out, let it come around, let your colours return
Turn a corner every time he barks
Just shut the devil out, let these arms embrace
You know I'm down
You will heal

12. WE'RE NOT GOOD PEOPLE
Think fast, boy, think on your feet
If you don’t know it now you never will
You’re so young to be so heavy
Rip off the seal and let me school you

You see angels melt when they touch the ground
You see you’re not dumb, you’re just not aligned
Because you could be the one percent if you wanna
We’re not good people, this is a warning!

If God is God then why is he secret?
Today’s the day you’ve been set free
They might claim the best things are hidden
But I was here, you came to me

With these five lines you will be reborn
A superman or maybe a jock
You can crush the whole world in your hand if you wanna
We’ve got the doorway, we’ve got the hallway, you can’t restore yourself
We’re not good people, this is a warning!

Bloc Party - Four

Artwork

Tracklist
01. So He Begins To Lie
02. 3x3
03. Octopus
04. Real Talk
05. Kettling
06. Day Four
07. Coliseum
08. V.A.L.I.S.
09. Team A
10. Truth
11. The Healing
12. We're Not Good People

The album will be released on the 20th August, and will be preceded by a single, Octopus, on 11th July.

You can check out an album trailer here. The band have played "So He Begins To Lie", "3x3", "Octopus", "Real Talk", "Kettling", "Day Four", "Team A" and "Truth" live so far.

Bloc Party Announce New Album

Bloc Party have announced that their new album will be entitled "Four" - unsurprisingly, their fourth album! It will be released 20th August. No other details are known - not even a single song title! They've put up an album trailer here.

Bloc Party Confirm Return

Bloc Party have confirmed that they will be returning in 2012 with a new album. They reportedly have recorded two songs so far, with another seventeen demos ready to be worked on. This follows their last album, 2008's Intimacy, and lead singer Kele Okereke's solo project which produced an album (The Boxer) and a more recent EP (The Hunter). The album is expected in late summer to autumn this year.

Single Review: Bloc Party - One More Chance

Single: One More Chance
Artist: Bloc Party

You never know where Bloc Party's sound is going. One minute it's raw guitar-heavy anthemic masterpieces, and before you know it they've gone extremely electronic. But one thing that has remained the same is their capacity for creating fantastic songs. On this one-off single, One More Chance, they have changed their sound once again, as can be heard from the piano that runs through the song. The chorus is huge, bringing back memories of their fantastic third album Intimacy, and will sound great live. However, the band seem to have forgotten that their drummer, Matt Tong, is an absolute god when it comes to drumming. (See drumming on One Month Off and Flux - insane!) It seems quite one-dimensional here. But all in all, a great song.

7/10

A New Bloc Party Single

Bloc Party will release a new non-album single on 10th August, entitled One More Chance.

The track was recorded in April.

It will be played on Zane Lowe's Radio 1 show on Thursday. (18th June)

Intimacy Remixed

Bloc Party have announced a remix album to complement their third album, Intimacy. This will be released on 11th May. Tracklist is:

01. Ares – Villains Remix
02. Mercury – Herve is in Disarray Remix
03. Halo – We Have Band Dub
04. Biko – Mogwai Remix
05. Trojan Horse – John B Remix
06. Signs – Armand Van Helden Remix
07. One Month Off – Filthy Dukes Remix
08. Zephyrus – Phase One Remix
09. Talons – Phones RIP Remix
10. Better Than Heaven – No Age Remix
11. Ion Square – Banjo or Freakout Remix
12. Letter To My Son – Gold Panda Remix
13. Your Visits Are Getting Shorter – DoubleD Remix

The Armand Van Helden remix, which will precede the album, can be heard here.
WARNING: This video may not be suitable for minors.

Single Review: Bloc Party - One Month Off

Title: One Month Off
Artist: Bloc Party
Album: Intimacy

One Month Off is raw, anthemic and even features a key change! (Rare for Bloc Party) It's amazing how Matt Tong can keep drumming through this entire song without a break. The fury of "I can be as cruel as you, fighting fire with firewood" are spat out and sound fantastic.

10/10

Best Of 2008 (#2)

2. Bloc Party - Intimacy

This album takes a lot of getting used to, but when you do, it is absolutely outstanding.

Ares opens with some drumming which at first seems a bit out of place, but it sounds good after a while. Mercury, the single which took a LOT of getting used to - I was sure that a great band like Bloc Party wouldn't have ruined their career with such a bad song - but when you get down to it it's a fantastic song. This entire album is full of surprises.

Halo brings us back to Silent Alarm, and in a very good way, the fantastic guitar riffs are - well, fantastic. Biko is a slow song which I make out to be about cancer. It's sad, but it works. Trojan Horse is the epitome of the new sound, but is generally good.

Signs is another beautiful track which separates the two halves of the album. It gives you goosebumps at one point... Anyway, the seventh track is pure Bloc Party brilliance. One Month Off is raw, anthemic and even features a key change! (Rare for Bloc Party) It's amazing how Matt Tong can keep drumming through this entire song without a break.

Zephyrus, whilst a good song, is the worst on the album. Firstly, what's a Zephyrus? Secondly, it doesn't sound like Bloc Party entirely, but still attaches onto the album. I would have preferred it if they'd swapped this for Flux (the best Bloc Party song of all time).

Then we come to Talons, the second single. It took no getting used to - it was immediately brilliant. Better Than Heaven is the calm before the storm, and is quite sad and beautiful in its own little way. The storm I was referring to is Ion Square, one of the best closers of all time. A seven minute epic which is classic Bloc Party build-up, bringing in one instrument at a time until you have a mess of music which sounds so wonderful, and the great chorus "I carry your heart here with me..." makes this album finish in style.

SCORE: 10/10