The Boxer
Like the Strokes' Julian Casablancas before him, the Bloc Party singer explores electronic textures on his solo debut.
Bloc Party frontman Kele Okereke has been full of revelations lately, first coming out of the closet, now releasing a solo album on which he sets aside his guitar in favor of banging club beats. Then again, for those paying any attention to Okereke over the years, none of this should come as a surprise, with gay…
Not quite the sucker punch many were anticipating, but it rubbishes any suggestion that Kele’s on the ropes.
The hiatus Bloc Party took after finishing their tour for their third album Intimacy allowed frontman Kele Okereke to explore different sounds -- as much as possible, that is. Kele’s solo debut, The Boxer, retains the dramatic, epic flair of his band, and that voice -- which is just as capable of hard-hitting chants as airy sighs -- is still the same.
When Bloc Party forayed into the world of dance music it often felt like something was lacking, a reluctance to fully commit perhaps.
The album is the work of an artist whose unique voice can’t flourish without dissimilar, energetic counterparts.
Bloc Party's leader goes solo, goes electronic. But, says, Will Dean, it's not all that different from what he's already done, really