I never thought I’d be so excited to hear a new Bloc Party record in 2022, but here we are. Alpha Games is the sixth studio album to come from the band responsible for one of the greatest albums of the 00’s, and it might be because of their celebration of Silent Alarm that this latest effort is their most enjoyable in a long time.
The excitement towards Alpha Games came largely down to its lead single. ‘Traps’ is a powerful listen that cultivates a LOT of energy and pent-up frustration and dishes it out with dirty riffs and ominous grooves. It has become a staple of the earworms in the last few months, and that’s not going to change any time soon. Fortunately, it sounds like a lot of that tension and energy permeates through the rest of the album.
‘Day Drinker’ kicks things off with an open-arms admission of desperation and a reliance on inebriation. Bringing a heavy vulnerability to the forefront that’s matched by its dark instrumentation. Of course, the classic Bloc Party disco cymbals and mind-melting melodies are heard against this grittier attitude, making it the best introduction into an album that promises to offer much more.
‘You Should Know the Truth’ slips into the mind and catches you off guard with its organic sound. It leaves the riffs aside to allow space for the melodies to build. Producing a sound that envelops you in a wondrous circle of noise. With the additions of harmonies, it provides an insight into how this iteration of Bloc Party work together. ‘Callum Is a Snake’ is a quick, cheeky number that snaps and fizzes throughout – highlighting that this Callum dude is a bit of a dick.
Perhaps revisiting their biggest record helped bring a better focus into the studio. Alpha Games is great. It sticks to a sound and absolutely runs you into the ground with it. There are a few diversions towards poppier paths littered throughout but largely it is unrelenting on the guitars. ‘The Girls Are Fighting’ has potential to be a huge fan favourite, and ‘Sex Magik’ sees them return to their sexiest. While the likes of Four and Hymns had promising moments, Alpha Games offers and delivers on those promises. It’s exciting to be excited by Bloc Party again, I cannot wait to hear more.