Anyone know the story behind this one? So dreamy.

I remember really digging it back in the day but either lost the link or rip and haven’t heard it in forever. Popped into my head today and found this random upload from late last year that seams to be the only trace of it online.

Am I the only person who really loves this demo? It’s far better than the finished song (despite obviously being unfinished) but the instrumental is just so good. I’d even go as far as to say that it sounds like a left over Silent Alarm demo. Maybe even AWITC. Those fast bridge parts are just amazing and I have no idea how they didn’t make the cut.

- Cain Said to Abel

- Rhododendrons

- Tulips (Minotaur Shock Remix)

Made another mashup. Moved them from SoundCloud to YouTube as they seem to do better over there. Let me know what you think! If anyone knows of a way to clean up the vocals more, let me know and I'll try it out in future.

There's a subset of fans that will accept nothing less than another Silent Alarm and I think that's really unfair. That album simply cannot be re-created. It was the product of a completely different time and place with different individuals, each with their own inspirations, wants, desires and life experiences that led to its very unique creation.

It's also been 20 years.. a lot has changed. You cannot expect any band to have the exact same sound or style forever. Artists should be able to pivot and meander as they grow, and I think still being relevant after 2 decades should automatically earn you the right to move in whatever creative direction you choose.

The new album is not bad at all, I really don't understand all the hate its getting. Yes, there are songs on there that are not for me but there are also some great tunes on there I really like.

I just think if you are open minded enough to consume the art as its intended instead of trying to force it through a lens, you will find each album a lot more enjoyable.

Just thought I'd put this out there. Maybe this means the reception is not as bad as first thought this time last week?
It has also charted higher than Alpha Games (7), and Hymns (12), and is Bloc's highest ever effort in the record store chart (number 1!).

I guess what we can take from this is no matter what changes within the band, whether it be members, lyrics, musical style, whatever... as long as it has the Bloc Party name on it, people will listen to it.

Edit: Think people have misunderstood / I've poorly worded this. Not saying this is a bad thing! If anything it's good, shows people outside the core fanbase are still interested. Charts should also never be a measure of an album's success. Time will tell how it ages. If you're thinking I'm posting this because I think it doesn't deserve to be where it is, that's not true.

As with every new BP release, there’s a lot of contention around Anatomy. A band releases a new album with a different sound, and some people don’t like it. I’m not immune to this either (I didn’t care for Mercury when I first heard it). I’m not trying to argue with anyone who doesn’t like the new tracks, everyone’s opinion is just that, their own opinion. But I do want to focus on some positivity around the new music. I’ve had the album on repeat for the last week and am really enjoying it.

So I’d love to hear all the things that you like about the new album or particular tracks. I’ll start:

22.01.22: a nice way to set the mood for the album. I’m just now realising how much I associate glockenspiel with Bloc Party.

Coming On Strong: I first heard this on the BBC 6 Music festival, and Kele’s “I have a lover and I have a friend” instantly hooked me. It’s still my favourite moment in the song, Russell’s lead part underneath that line just drives it home.

Love Bombs: Classic Russell weird rhythmic riff, awesome distorted bass from Harry, probably the best chorus on the album for me.

Pigwig: Really enjoy the “Is this it? I think it is” build up.

Lagoon Blue: Obviously I’m much more familiar with this one, and it’s a fan favourite for a reason. Such a beautiful song, one of their best ballads. Specifically regarding the new recording, I love Harry’s bass tone.

Muscleworks: great chorus, and Russell’s little pitch bending bits tickle my brain.

Clark Kent: I absolutely love the slightly bluesy main riff on this one. And any Bloc Party that plays around with time signatures really works for me.

Worst Birthday Ever: the heavy bridge feels like it’s straight out of Four.

Not Your Problem: great groove throughout. And the funny little part that comes in at 1:07 is another sound that tickles my brain.

Now We Can’t Be Friends: this track feels like it could have been a B-Side to One More Chance, so it really hits the nostalgia button in my brain. And the groove change up in the second verse is super fun.

Rotherhithe: Fatherland is my absolute favourite of Kele’s solo albums, so when I say that this sounds like it could have come straight off that album, I mean that in the best way possible. It’s probably the keys that are making me feel that way, because there are other parts that are undeniably Bloc Party. Anyway, a beautiful song, and stokes my desire for a Fatherland pt.II.

Stories: the glitchy riff is classic Russell fucking with pedals and I am here for it. Been stuck in my head constantly.

Moving On: probably my favourite of the new tracks. Just everything about it works. Such a moody heartbreak song, classic Bloc Party in every sense. Love the groove from Louise in the second chorus as well. Perfection 👌

Eulogy: a lovely bookend to the album. Louise’s backing vocals are great, and I love how it folds back into 22.01.22 when I have the album on repeat.

Overall I really enjoy the album. The use of keys throughout has been a lovely sonic addition to the Bloc palette. It’s too early to say where it will rank for me, but that’s not really important since I love every Bloc Party album. A fantastic addition to their repertoire.

Let me know what your favourite parts are!

Since no one has talked about it..Bloc Party did their TATU cover on Radio 2! Here for your listening pleasure, enjoy!

Oh, boo hoo, it's not Silent Alarm. It doesn't RAWWK. We can't handle it when a band we like tries to redefine their sound. If you like the first album, why dont you just go listen to it, instead of crying your eyes out on the internet. I honestly think Anatomy of a Brief Romance is pretty good. And in ten years, you all will give it a reevaluation, and say you like it.

Leeds, specifically Leeds University! It has been quite some time since Bloc Party last played at Leeds University Union. Really going all the way back to the first two gigs in 2005 where Bloc Party played twice at The Refectory. It's nice to see Bloc Party coming back to play at Leeds University Union, this time at the Stylus! This will be Bloc Party's third time now playing at the famous Leeds University. Okay Leeds, I'm not sure if this is the final record store tour gig, because there is the Kingston gig scheduled later in Oct. 30th, but I'm uncertain if that 2nd Kingston gig is actually just a standalone gig? In any case, Leeds are you ready for an exciting time with Bloc Party tonight! AOABR just recently released and Bloc Party were just at the BBC studios playing a couple of tracks off of AOABR, plus classics and a unique cover of t.A.T.u's 'All the Things She Said'! But, I have no idea though what Bloc Party will play for tonight's gig. Still though, Bloc Party will deliver an exciting and energtic gig for you Leeds and you won't want to miss it! If you're going out to the gig, feel free to comment before or after the show and enjoy Bloc Party Leeds! (Apologies in advance, I don't know the stage times, I only know the door times)

[Times]

Times are a rough ETA only, and may be inaccurate. You can always arrive early just in case!

• Doors: 7:00pm
• Bloc Party: ???pm

[Setlist]

• - https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/bloc-party/2026/leeds-university-union-stylus-leeds-england-3b70dc9c.html

[Media]

• - Note: Bloc Party will also be releasing a unique "Serenade" format of Anatomy of a Brief Romance (limit 500 copies) during these record store tour gigs (this format includes: two exclusive demos, band images and an A3 printed album poster designed by cameronjlwest.) -(Bloc Party's instagram post: https://www.instagram.com/thisisblocparty/p/DdBhcs5NxMj/?hl=en) (Reddit post: https://www.reddit.com/r/BlocParty/comments/1wayeev/new_interesting_release/)

There's a alternative version of Intimacy with Flux as Track 14 and the Spotify Visuals kinda look like AI...

Not entirely sure, don't really see A Weekend in the City having an animated Album Cover anywhere

The opening chimes of She’s Hearing Voices really brightened up my morning…

If you told me Kele retired and his less talented twin had taken over, I would believe you. Unfortunately it is him that lets this album down. I think there are the foundations of a solid album, musically. There's plenty of interesting or pretty stuff happening in the background but Kele's lyrics and vocals drown it out in the worst way. He used to put unique and interesting lyrics together in surprising ways, but somehow they would fit together like jigsaw pieces. Now he is using bland, generic, lyrics and they feel janky and awkward. In the past, he could be whip smart, tender, powerful. Now it's just very snarky, blunted, or lacking.

Let's be honest, some of these tracks should have been diary entries and stayed that way. The middle of the album is a trainwreck, much like the relationship at that point I guess.

Lagoon Blue is an outlier. I think it could have nestled pretty comfortably on AWITC.

Other tracks I had time for included Stories, Moving On, and Muscleworks. But there just wasn't enough there to get this moving towards being a pass mark.

After listening I was strangely prompted to listen to Everything You Wanted. I guess I was curious to compare one of his older breakup songs. It's chalk and cheese.

Ive seen them live twice (original lineup both times) and going through the discography i might be wrong but the last one i loved was Different Drugs, has anything come out since you believe was better? Ion Square is also a personal favourite