Bloc Party never became the saviors they were supposed to be, but putting out your best work after a decade of near-constant turmoil has to count for something. [29 Jan/5 Feb 2016, p.107]
A total contrast to 'Banquet' and 'Two More Years', die-hard fans may need to give it a few spins, but in daring to reinvent themselves, Bloc Party show an impressive evolution.
For the majority of Hymns' runtime Russell decides to play it safe and prop up Kele's uninspired musings like he's just another programmable component of an increasingly polished, synthetic entity. That the two longstanding partners can still lock together so seamlessly musically is nice and all, but it also highlights the essential ingredient missing from this half-baked album: chaos.
Hymns, unfortunately, does not mark the logical next step for the band, nor does it exactly tread new ground. Rather, it denotes a descent into self-indulgence that’s paradoxically reckless and complacent.
It's such a musically bare record. "Into The Earth" is the only song that feels like a rock song and it's also very soft and drab. So many songs riff off the same synth beats that HYMNS end up being a contemplative session that puts you to sleep as opposed to prodding at your mind.
Have you guys even HEARD Paraíso? It's incredible. This LP may be more spacious and atmospheric than their previous work but it is by no meansHave you guys even HEARD Paraíso? It's incredible. This LP may be more spacious and atmospheric than their previous work but it is by no means BLoc Party's worst. I think the track listing could have been shifted around a bit (replace TLW with Eden and The Good News with Paraiso on the non-deluxe version) for sure but Hymns is ethereal and genuine and well-paced and most importantly, unique.…Expand
For full disclosure before I start this review, I am a huge Bloc Party fan and have loved everything they've done so far. However, uponFor full disclosure before I start this review, I am a huge Bloc Party fan and have loved everything they've done so far. However, upon reaching 'Hymns' I initially thought I'd reached an impasse with one of my all-time-favourite bands.
'Hymns' is the epitome of the term 'a grower'. Upon hearing 'The Lover Within' I didn't feel anything less than physically ill (and still do mind). I still maintain this is one of the worst songs I've ever exposed my ears too and I've really tried to like it. However, after removing this from the equation, the album makes much more sense (minus 'The Good News'). The album is much more akin to a Kele solo album and once I treated it as such, I began to thoroughly enjoy it.
'Only He Can Heal Me' is simply brilliant. The background vocals and lyrics are possible the high point of the album for me personally. 'Fortress' and 'Different Drugs' are also well-crafted songs with a decent dose of dark-edginess for good measure.
Whilst 'The Good News' has been a significant point of criticism for the album, it's a song that's well written and one I find really catchy and enjoyable. The country-style slide guitar and easily follow-able chorus makes this one an easy target for a single, however I do agree that it does not fit in with the rest of this album in any shape or form.
'Into the Earth' was a big weak point in the album for me. This where Kele's lyrics reach an all time low in my opinion, with cheap lines and bland guitar riffs really bottoming out the album's quality. However, perseverance pays off and the gem 'Exes' is a beautiful song to really pull the album back to the level it was at previously.
I've seen a lot of comparisons between 'Ion Square' and 'Living Lux'. Whilst I appreciate the sentiment, 'Living Lux' doesn't come close to the greatest of 'Ion Square'. In a strange metaphor for the overall album, the song builds wonderfully but doesn't quite reach the heights and peaks of where you feel the songs should go. In other songs, this works in a strange melancholic way and makes you crave more, however, for a final song on the album, it leaves a bitter taste in the mouth and I always end up feeling slightly short-changed.
All-in-all, 'Hymns' is not a Bloc Party album in the classic sense. It's reserved, dark, and vulnerable in a way that can definitely be unappealing to the masses. Whilst many constantly crave a new 'Silent Alarm', I've always appreciated Bloc Party's boldness to go in a new direction with every era, and I can confirm that this is the case once again. They didn't half make it hard but I've really come to love the album and if you have the time to commit to this album, I'm sure you'll appreciate it as much as I do.…Expand
It's a far more mellow and spacious affair then we're used to from Bloc Party, but it's definitely still Bloc Party. The more subduedIt's a far more mellow and spacious affair then we're used to from Bloc Party, but it's definitely still Bloc Party. The more subdued soundscape imbues the album with a very personal and contemplative feel. As a whole it's also a more cohesive record than any release before it. It's a very good, solid collection of generally strong tracks (some more than others), but it's probably not gonna return Bloc Party to the lime light and I'd guess many "fans" will hate it as the band's deviated even further from Silent Alarm. However, if you're like me and you like when bands continually try to reinvent themselves you'll probably like it to some degree. It definitely suits their history from that perspective.…Expand
There is saving grace in a handful of the tracks on Hymns, but ultimately it feels like the concept was too grand and the content too sparse.There is saving grace in a handful of the tracks on Hymns, but ultimately it feels like the concept was too grand and the content too sparse. At its best, there are moments of familiarity, at its worst it becomes tedious.
Best tracks: The Good News, My True Name, Virtue…Expand
A couple of weeks on from the release of Bloc Party’s fifth album, I have collected my thoughts on a career defining album following theA couple of weeks on from the release of Bloc Party’s fifth album, I have collected my thoughts on a career defining album following the changes in style due to a band reshuffle.
First I must state, that for any fan of garage or the more ‘punk’ sound this is not the album for you. Bloc Party seem to have let go of thrashy street sound that has been a theme throughout their albums of yesteryear. No longer will we hear the pure raging guitar sound of Bloc Party favourites such as ‘Helicopter’ or ‘We are not good people’. The departure of drummer Matt Tong has obviously had it’s repercussions on the sudden change of style employed by Okereke.
There is a certain 'loss of urgency' in the new style, which won't please old school Bloc Party lovers. This is down to the much more downbeat lyrics used in the new album. Altogether their music has shifted down a couple of gears, and for me that is a huge shame.
The opening track ‘The Love Within’ is a powerful opening track, stating their intents for the future. It is obvious from the start which band member has departed due to the lack of heavy bass. A much substantial influence from the dance/pop scene is used in this track, and for me, got the album off to a rocky start.
Immediately when a early released track appears on my Spotify feed I usually jump for joy, but as ‘The Good News’ popped up a couple of weeks before the album release I held back. Knowing that a change in style was imminent I listened with little expectation. Despite not resembling anything produced before by the London group, it gave me a pleasant surprise. It doesn’t stand up to the popularity of previous records but offers a different sound. With a pinch of blues influenced mixed with a lethargic rhythm it is the only track of the album of jumps out at me.
The final thing I will pick up on is the spiritual element of the album. Kele Okereke has denied these claims, although surely even the title justifies it. Aside from that, this is an album I wouldn’t recommend, it goes against all that Bloc Party have produced in the past 11 years, unless you able to accept the change, this album is a total disappointment,…Expand
