More about: Bloc Party

Bloc Party will be debuting brand-new track 'Ratchet' as Zane Lowe's Hottest Record in the World tonight on BBC Radio One tonight - the first taste of their upcoming release, the NEXTWAVE EP Sessions.

Despite Kele Okereke and co  saying that they're taking an indefinite hiatus after this summer's festival commitments, they've surprised fans by announcing the release of new material with their new EP being due out on 12 August, 2013. The band have worked with producer Dan Carey, who has previously worked with Bat For Lashes and Hot Chip, on their new material.

Talking about the track, frontman Kele said: "Ratchet was the first song we recorded with Dan. It really came together whilst we were on tour in 2012."

He continued: "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 - also set to be revealed online tonight.

Speaking of the trackligsting on NEXTWAVE, a band spokesman said: "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."
 

Bloc Party will release an EP of new material in August

Earlier this month, guitarist Russell Lissack came out saying that the band will be taking some time off after they finished their UK and EU festival tour.

Bloc Party will be headlining Latitude Festival in Suffolk in July. For more information visit Gigwise gig tickets. 

Below: Kele Okereke's best stage moments 

More about: Bloc Party