Kele Okereke - 'Trick'

6/10

As the frontman of Bloc Party, Kele Okereke made a name for himself as a very outspoken individual, both in and out of the studio. His lyrics always look to expose the discrimination and loveless attitude within modern society, but it has been his solo albums that have really helped the vocalist to express himself. Now onto his second individual effort, going by his full name rather than simply Kele, he has used his leftfield approach to electronic music to deliver an album of substance and emotion.

His debut solo effort 'The Boxer' was a very club-ready affair that used the same tricks and techniques Bloc Party opted for in order to make them a great band that you could dance to. But 'Trick' is a far more brooding affair as the frontman looks to use breakbeats and solemn instrumentation to create a record which is more about the message than its dance floor appeal. The album has this nostalgic twinge to it that gives it a resonance with the dance music lead RnB of the late 90s, which helps keep the pace of the full-length ever moving forward and ultimately creating a very succinct body of work.

While it still doesn't have that same magic Kele used to pump out at will, 'Trick' is still a very romantic and well-conceived album, if not a little forgettable by the end.

More Reviews

EP: Memory9 - 'Red Falcon'
10 years 10 months ago

As one of dozens of new producers looking to make their mark on the world's electronic music stag

EP: Bipolar Sunshine - 'Drowning Butterflies'
10 years 11 months ago

When you first hit play to uber-hyped Bipolar Sunshine's latest EP 'Drowning Butterflies' there i

EP: George Ezra - 'Did You Hear The Rain?'
11 years 1 week ago

The world of the male singer-songwriter is a formidable in world in this current music scene.

LIVE: Sofar Sounds "Secret Gig" @ Office Space, Kings Cross 23/01/13
11 years 9 months ago

Sofar sounds "Secret Gig" @ Office Space, Kings Cross 23/01/13

LIVE: PUBLIC SERVICE BROADCASTING W/ BOX OF GHOSTS @ CARGO, SHOREDITCH - 15th August 2012
12 years 1 month ago

PUBLIC SERVICE BROADCASTING W/ BOX OF GHOSTS @ CARGO, SHOREDITCH

LIVE: John Maus @ Scala London
12 years 1 month ago

John Maus @ Scala London

LIVE: Swim Deep @ The Old Blue Last, London
12 years 1 month ago

SWIM DEEP THE OLD BLUE LAST, LONDON 30TH AUGUST 2012