Born and shaped on the road during the bands worldwide tour in 2012, which saw the formative UK four piece playing the biggest headline shows of the career, including a 19,000 capacity sold out show at Earl’s Court, the five songs that comprise the EP are a natural continuation of Bloc Party’s muchwelcomed return to the UK music limelight.
The band worked with renowned producer Dan Carey (whose credits include records with Bat For Lashes, Lianna La Havas and Hot Chip) on the two tracks that open the EP – ‘Ratchet’ and ‘Obscene’. ‘Ratchet’, the lead track off the EP and one of the groups’ punchiest, most confrontational and viciously danceable tracks to date will receive it’s premier as Zane Lowe’s ‘Hottest Record’ on Radio 1 tonight (Tues 25th June). Talking about the track Kele says:
“Ratchet was the first song we recorded with Dan. It really came together whilst we were on tour in 2012. We started slipping it into the sets at the start of this year just to try it out and the reactions were insane. We knew we had something special.”
The track will be accompanied by a must-see video directed by acclaimed animator Cyriak.
Across its 5 tracks, the EP amalgamates the visceral energy of the bands live shows with bright studio sheen, and Kele’s lyrics and vocals at their most uncompromisingly biting. From the slow-motion, trance-haunted balladry of ‘Obscene’ to the shimmering swells and skipping percussion of ‘Montreal’, to ‘French Exit’ that is fuelled by the bands trademark sharp angular riffs and combustible dynamics, and ending on a grand and impassioned note with the forward-looking ‘Children Of The Future’ – the ‘NEXTWAVE sessions’ is essential, unmissable Bloc Party,
The EP comes ahead of a busy summer in which Bloc Party return to some of the biggest stages and festivals in the UK and Europe, including a headline slot in Latitude.