Listening to... 'WHAT DID I DO' - Kele ft. Lucy Taylor

In anticipation of Kele's 2nd EP 'The Hunter', which is released on Monday on Wichita Recordings, I'll mostly be donning my halloween get-up to this little number tonight - his first single to come from his pending EP.

If you've read my blog before you may or may not know that i'm a huge fan of Kele, so a new EP is all but damn good news as far as i'm concerned. And whilst there have been some controversial reviews of it's debut single by commentators and fans alike, for me the ex-Bloc Party frontman can still do no wrong.

Admittedly it's not exactly new but if you're yet too hear it, The latest single What Did I Do, which was officially released on 12 September, sees Lucy Taylor take the lead vocals for this single, with Kele bringing his sincerely smooth and compelling vocals soley to the chorus.
 

Directionally, the track bears undertones distinctly reminiscent of his critically acclaimed debut EP 'The Boxer', with vocals set over an electronic heartbeat and a fuzzy bass line, marked by a mellow injection of dubstep. 

While there are similarities, the track is perhaps not as technically quirky or progressive as his previous solo offerings. But as a result it’s positively more accessible and, at the end of the day, if it still gives me goosebumps it's a job well done.

'The Hunter', released on Monday, is a seven-track EP that also sees Kele collaborate with artists including Sub Focus, Fred Falke and RAC.

Listening to... 'ON THE LAM' - Kele

I'm not going to lie, I am a MASSIVE fan of Kele, so this post may leave some musical objectivity at the door. But if you haven't yet heard the third single from the Bloc Party frontman's debut album, 'The Boxer', have a listen asap.

'The Boxer' album whilst not entirely removed is a clear progression from Kele's indie-rock roots thanks to a distinct electronic buzz throughout. Single 'On The Lam' takes things one step further. 

 The single makes its entrance with laid back vocals set against pulsating repetition and jagged beats, with drum kicks soon dropping into a grimy bassline of a chorus. Curiously even his distinctive bold vocals are digitally altered, to a higher tenor. 


For some his comprehensive electro-makeover may rather compromise the poetical intensity that we could have expected from a Bloc Party performance. However I think his 'new-wave' approach works here and on so many levels, because it does not detract from passionate melodies and his lyrics still pack a punch; yet it allows the emphasis of this song to be one of musical rather than lyrical progression. 

The result of this lyrical/melodic symbiosis is the kind of song that you can wake up to/work out to/chill out to/rave to. A rare versatile gem.


Most importantly, 'On The Lam' identifies Kele as 'Bloc Party frontman' but as a worthy solo artist in his own right.

Upcoming Tour Dates

15 - Institute Library, Birmingham 
16 - Arches, Glasgow 
18 - Ritz, Manchester 
19 - Electric Ballroom, London 
20 - Motion, Bristol