Hymns

After gamely circling art-rock, heartfelt indie and daring electronica, Bloc Party decide to cover all three for album number five. The big difference here: frontman Kele Okereke’s exploration of faith. Starting with the church roof-raising, synth-rave stomp of “The Love Within”, HYMNS filters its spiritual and existential inquisitiveness through the band’s complete stylistic arsenal. The chanty “Only He Can Heal Me” establishes the album’s restless, portentous tone, “The Good News” finds a propulsive country groove and the electro stabs of “Living Lux” showcase Okereke’s skill for red-raw break-up despair.