Bloc Party make their long-awaited return today with their fifth studio album, HYMNS. This is the English indie rock band's first album in four years, following the release of Four back in 2012. During their hiatus, the band made some member changes, including 21-year-old drummer Louise Bartle, who was found on YouTube, along with bassist Justin Harris—formerly of Portland band Menomena.
"I see HYMNS as an exploration of all the things that I hold sacred in my life," lead singer and original member Kele Okereke tells Noisey. "I'm not a religious person however I'm starting to realize that I do have a spiritual dimension and HYMNS was a way of celebrating the things that matter to me, from the stars and the moon, through to the rivers and the sea, as well as the joys of sex and intimacy. It's when I experience these things that I feel I am in the presence of the divine, so I wanted the HYMNS to reflect that." Stream the album in its entirety below before it drops this Friday, Jan. 29. Catch them at one of their upcoming tour dates as they play across the UK this winter before they arrive stateside at SXSW, the Shaky Knees Festival, and Governor's Ball in New York City this June.
