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For Bloc Party, it's time for the third studio test, only a year and a half since the underrated "A Weekend In The City."
The release of a single like "Flux" has proven to be a sort of watershed for the British combo led by Kele Okereke; in the band's new effort, it's very clear, in fact, a deep stylistic renewal, immediately highlighted by the powerful opener "Ares," a track with a decidedly "big beat" flavor.
This theme continues convincingly (but less decisively) in the first single "Mercury," perfectly in line with the shift undertaken by the English band. Nevertheless, there are offerings that recall the now established and classic Bloc Party style, such as the punkish "Halo" or the abrasive "One Month Off," perhaps their most engaging single ever.
"Biko" and "Ion Square," on their part, take certain electronic layers to the extreme, which still blend well with the rest of the work, creating a very fitting disorienting effect. "Trojan Horse," on the other hand, is rather lacking in incisiveness and mimics too much an absolute masterpiece like the old "Like Eating Glass" (just as "Zepherus" is practically a "The Prayer" part two). "Signs" is a sort of pleasant lullaby and nothing more, while "Better Than Heaven" wouldn't be out of place in a Dave Gahan solo work, at least until the excellent sonic assault placed at the end.
The production by the ubiquitous Jacknife Lee and Paul Epworth is excellent, and manages to mask rather well certain small "manufacturing defects" that nevertheless do not excessively affect the value of an absolutely good album.
Okereke declared some time ago that Bloc Party would stop after the third album; it would truly be a shame, it must be said.
We'll see if words will be followed by deeds...
Key Tracks: "Ares", "Biko", "One Month Off"
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