Bloc Party - The Prayer (Wichita)
4/5
By: Jacob Dunkley
Lord, give us a new Bloc Party album, so we can dance on our feet, or at least us a single that will impress? Wait... what's that? Bloc Party have answered our prayers with 'The Prayer', and we ask what's changed, and indeed, does it impress? Well yes, Bloc Party have finally returned, and this is strong evidence that once 'Weekend in the City' comes out they're likely to unstoppable.
With 'The Prayer', they show just how much they've developed. It sounds bigger and more sonically challenging than almost any of their previous offerings and leaves us salivating for the full-length. In essence it's a dance track, one that gives a middle finger to all those who have attempted to copy Bloc Party's style by changing the template; it's louder, tighter and more pounding even than 'Banquet'.
As soon as the drums commence with those hummed vocals behind them, it's clear we're in for something special. Next, the verse kicks in, and it's almost devoid of the edgy guitars that signified their previous sound, instead opting for single note parts; although you can hardly notice alongside the slick production. The chorus certainly dazzles - here we have that anthemic glow which almost seems slightly disjointed from the rest of the song at times but is nonetheless catchier than bird flu (whatever happened to that anyway - are we safe?).
True, part of you might miss the edgy, signature Bloc Party guitars which characterised their sound and seemed to have been dropped in favour of synths for much of the song (bar that solo). But what they offer here is a much more mature piece of work, one which should broaden their already staggeringly large group of fans and keep dance floors filled world over. 'The Prayer' is a song begging to have a great remix done of it. It may or may not be the strongest track on the new album, but whether that's the case or not it's a wonderful showcase of just how much they've come along, and a sure sign that Bloc Party have indeed completed the resurrection.
Artists in this article: Bloc Party
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