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Alpha Games Image
Metascore
65

Generally favorable reviews - based on 11 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 14 Ratings

  • Summary: The first full-length studio release in six years for British indie rock band Bloc Party was produced by Nick Launay and Adam Greenspan.
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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 11
  2. Negative: 0 out of 11
  1. Apr 28, 2022
    80
    ‘Alpha Games’ is an exciting return with addictive hooks and array of infectious album stand outs.
  2. Classic Rock Magazine
    Apr 28, 2022
    80
    Guitarist Russell Lissack counters the intoxicating synthetics with some of his most powerful work yet. ... Elemental. [May 2022, p.80]
  3. Apr 29, 2022
    80
    Alpha Games shows a great band engaging with their sound yet growing and expanding.
  4. Apr 28, 2022
    70
    At times, Alpha Games does hark back to the glorious early days of Bloc Party, and while this doesn’t quite measure up to Silent Alarm, there’s enough evidence that the band’s line-up changes have reinvigorated them.
  5. Apr 29, 2022
    60
    Alpha Games should please their established fanbase, but Bloc Party still sound strangely ambivalent, trapped between the visceral thrill of lean, modern guitar music and their doubts about its form and function.
  6. Mojo
    Apr 28, 2022
    60
    BP retain a youthful fixation with personal drama, biting lyrics and angular guitars, laced with keyboards. [Jun 2022, p.94]
  7. Uncut
    Apr 28, 2022
    50
    “Sex Magik” and “If We Get Caught” offer unashamedly lusty visions punctuated by agreeable glimpses of pop glitter. Otherwise, though, waspish, charismatically delivered lyrics are let down by workaday instrumental backing. [Jun 2022, p.25]

See all 11 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 7
  2. Negative: 0 out of 7
  1. May 2, 2022
    9
    Dynamic and energetic with moments harking back to songs of their earlier catalog while also exploring new territory.
  2. Apr 29, 2022
    9
    As catchy and pop-tuned as Silent Alarm, As experimental and a lesson in arrangement as A Weekend In the City, with the same electronicAs catchy and pop-tuned as Silent Alarm, As experimental and a lesson in arrangement as A Weekend In the City, with the same electronic sensibilities seen on Intimacy save the emotional turmoil. Sounds like Bloc Party finding their groove, with the same snarky and punchy delivery as I’ve grown accustomed to over the last few years. The new additions shine through, Louise’s vocals are indeed infectious. The only band I’ve heard that can all be simultaneously jamming different riffs out and sound completely be in sync it seems is astonishing and not lost on this record. I’ve got to say that this is my second most favorite album behind Silent Alarm now. It wasn’t anything more or less than what I’ve been wanting/needing from my favorite artists of all time. Expand
  3. Jan 31, 2023
    8
    I really like this album. I think the band really played to their strengths here and it really shows as an album with a lot of care put intoI really like this album. I think the band really played to their strengths here and it really shows as an album with a lot of care put into it. Louise's backing vocals on "If We Get Caught" is really neat and I'm excited for more songs in the future to feature this kind of sound. I also like all 3 of the deluxe songs that were added and the creativity in imagery of "The Robot and The Psychonaut" was fun to think about and sing.

    "Day Drinker" I think is the par that this album and it's a good par to set.
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  4. Apr 29, 2022
    8
    i don’t think they’ll ever reach anything like silent alarms or even hymns ever again, i’m talking mainstream recognition. but i do think thisi don’t think they’ll ever reach anything like silent alarms or even hymns ever again, i’m talking mainstream recognition. but i do think this album holds up but i don’t think mainstream will ever recognize this album. being someone who grew up listening to them it kind of makes me sad, but overall a good album Expand
  5. May 16, 2022
    7
    Found out about this album the other day while listening to there earlier tunes, and what a treat.
    Overall a decent addition to there
    Found out about this album the other day while listening to there earlier tunes, and what a treat.
    Overall a decent addition to there discography. Stand out tricks from this album are situ (classic bloc party sound), if we get caught and traps the rest. The rest are kinda mundane and don't have much of a replay factor, however the few songs I like make up for the listen. I'm still getting over the fact they list two key members Matt and Gordon but the show must go on and I think the new members are finding there rythem not there yet but promising
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  6. Aug 18, 2022
    7
    I have to admit that after 2016's "Hymns" I threw in the towel as far as Bloc Party were concerned. It was brutal and it seemed that theyI have to admit that after 2016's "Hymns" I threw in the towel as far as Bloc Party were concerned. It was brutal and it seemed that they agreed as the band more or less disappeared in the years since bar a "Silent Alarm" anniversary tour. I'm happy to report that I wrote them off too early and they have somewhat surprisingly managed to make another solid album. "Alpha Games" doesn't reach the heights of their best work but it is a decent derivation of it. It comes closest to their "A Weekend in the City" album. It is a throwback and feels a little forced but I have enjoyed listening to it and it does have its merits. "Alpha Games" has brought me back on board the Bloc Party ship. Expand
  7. Apr 29, 2022
    6
    Certainly a better album than Hymns, but only has a few really good songs. The rest are okay, but nothing special. For reference, I lovedCertainly a better album than Hymns, but only has a few really good songs. The rest are okay, but nothing special. For reference, I loved everything between Silent Alarm and The Nextwave Sessions. Expand