Four

Having steadily drifted away from traditional rock and towards electronica, Bloc Party reacquaint themselves with their effects pedals on this fourth album. From the buzzsaw guitars backing Kele Okereke’s menacing whisper on “3 X 3” to the heavy metal-tinged stomp of “Kettling”, the elemental power of their 2005 debut, Silent Alarm, is a frequent touchstone. But Four—as evidenced by the deliriously catchy hummingbird riff of “Octopus”—isn’t afraid to experiment, straining forward even as it stylistically retreats.