Bloc Party will release their highly anticipated new album, Hymns, on Friday. But fear not, you can listen to it already on their YouTube below.
This is their first studio album since 2012's Four, and the first with their new rhythm section. They parted ways with original members Gordon Moakes and Matt Tong and have bassist Justin Harris and drummer Louis Bartle. The new line up first played together back in August in California.
The change in line up doesn't seem to have done them any harm on this album, as it's a huge sounding record with a diverse range of styles, including the usual mash up of indie and dance, and an intriguing moment of delta blues lap steel.
Talking of the thematic approach, Kele Okereke said: "I see Hymns as an exploration of all the things that I hold sacred in my life,” explains frontman Kele Okereke. “I’m not a religious person however I’m starting to realize that i do have a spiritual dimension and ‘Hymns’ was a way of celebrating the things that matter to me, from the stars and the moon, through to the rivers and the sea, as well as the joys of sex and intimacy. It’s when I experience these things that I feel I am in the presence of the divine, so I wanted the Hymns to reflect that."
Hymns is available to pre-order on limited edition vinyl with four bonus tracks - or regular vinyl
Check out the dates below for Bloc Party's 2016 UK tour. For tickets and more information, visit here.
29 January - Cardiff, Great Hall
30 January - Southampton, O2 Guildhall
01 February - Bristol, O2 Academy
02 February - Nottingham, Rock City
04 February - Newcastle, O2 Academy
05 February - Glasgow, Barrowland
06 February - Manchester, Academy
08 February - Leeds, O2 Academy
09 February - Cambridge, Corn Exchange
11 February - London, O2 Academy Brixton
12 February - Birmingham, O2 Academy
