Kele The Boxer (Glassnote Records)
For Bloc Party fans, the debut solo from frontman Kele Okereke will not come as much of a shock. The Boxer (a reference to Okereke's time spent kick-boxing during the band's hiatus) sees the progression of 2008's Intimacy evolve away from indie rock to the dance floor.
The agenda is set with the TV On The Radio-inspired opener, Walk Tall. Okereke barks out the the orders: 'Forget where you've been/Cut your ties to the past and wave it goodbye.' The second and third tracks leave no room for doubt about his musical direction. From the two-step, auto-tuned On the Lam, to the happy hardcore Tenderoni, the singles showcase an artist revelling in his newfound creative freedom.
There are doses of familiarity. Everything You Wanted features all the hallmarks of a prime Bloc Party melody. Unholy Thoughts would comfortably sit as an after-hours accompaniment to 2007's Weekend in the City. Okereke's pathos is evident all over the album and while heartfelt, sometimes veers into the realm of the grating.
The Boxer is a confident, solid and liberated album that reflects a natural progression for Okereke. With room to mature within the genre, Bloc Party fans shouldn't hold their breath for the band's reunion.