3 Track Preview: Kele - 'The Boxer'

As one of many loyal Bloc Party fans out there, i was very skeptical about lead singer Kele Okereke's solo project. With an upcoming album entitled 'The Boxer' under the name Kele I was holding my breath.

Before Bloc Party went on hiatus, tracks such as 'One More Chance' showed a clear dance influence on the band, so it's no surprise that Kele has swayed to a far more dance based style for his upcoming album, he has even 'dropped guitars' on some tracks, leaving a gap for more of a dubstep and drum and bass sound.

Lead single 'Tenderoni' is not just a step away from Bloc Party its a completely different sound, comparisons to Wiley's hit single 'Wearing My Rolex' spring to mind, with it's dark synth bassline. Although the sound has changed, Kele's lyrical style has not, he croons 'Every time we kiss it seems like you’re holding back/Don’t be so quick to pull away' Lyrics like this suited Bloc Party, but for the sound of 'The Boxer' i'm not convinced. Soon enough though, the lyrics fade away into a strong powerful bassline, suitable for any party.

Album opener 'Walk Tall' kick starts with a dubstep beat worthy of any form of 'skanking' you can think of, and signs of Bloc Party's 'Intimacy' track 'Ares' show here, with the to-ing and fro-ing of lyrics coming from Kele in a war-like chant. As the synth heavy bassline begins to growl the sound of indie kids waiting for a new 'Helicopter' can almost be heard sulking back home, as there's nothing here but the beast that Kele has become.

'Signs' from 'Intimacy' was one of my favourite tracks from the album, and i'm pleased to say the glockenspiel is back for 'Rise'. Although a great sound is back from Bloc Party for 'Rise', once again i'm not convinced by Kele's new lyrical direction 'Brothers and sisters, can’t you see you are stronger than you think?' but as soon as it's come in, it's fading away, clearing a path for a dark, intense and incredible drop.

From these 3 tracks, i'd say that 'The Boxer' is definately going to be turning some heads, but also turning away a vast majority hoping for some more Bloc Party. Elements of the tracks do show a brave new direction for Okereke and I do like the songs, but I'm still unconvinced on some aspects of them. But hopefully on June 21 when the album is out, it will all piece together to make something worth listening to.

Xbox Reverb: The Maccabees, La Shark and The Laurel Collective at The Village Underground

After weeks of signing up, losing out, entering competitions and generally trawling the internet to get a ticket for the finale of Xbox 360's 'Reverb' tour, finally, through the help of The Penny Club - A youth run media blog website - i finally managed to make it to the gig and boy, it did not dissapoint. The Shoreditch based venue The Village Underground was nothing like i expected. A giant pink spray painted 'Reverb' on the side of the building was only the first of many brilliant features to the venue's appearance, a large neon 'Xbox 360' led the way under the door, and finally after sorting out wristbands and passes we were in, and it took my breath away.

As well as the main floor of the Village Underground, there were two long and wide brick archways filled with televisions and consoles, projections on the walls and a bar. The architecture of the building made me think of another of my favourite venues, Brighton's Concorde 2, with its large brickwork and arching. Maybe that's part of the formula for an excellent venue.

Anyway, this isn't a blog about architecture this is a blog about music, so here we go. The first band up were the Laurel Collective, who got their place thanks to Xbox's ingenious system where the fans pick the bands, and the fans picked very well. The Laurel Collective's 'experimental avant-folk-pop' was excellent, vocalists Martin Sakutu and Bob Tollast kept form throughout, their to-ing and fro-ing of melodies keeping everyone on their feet, whilst the other members kept the sound-scapes filling the room. The Laurel Collective, watch out for them, they'll be up there with their 'collective' counterparts, 'The Animal...' soon enough.

Up next were 'La Shark'. Even before they started playing, i knew they were going to treat us to something special. As the band appeared from the green room, i made a double take, surely they didn't all have mime-artist face paint over their eyes? But as surely as lead singer Samuel Geronimo Deschamps' hair is tall, long, bright red and only on top they were, and it suited them, it somehow did. The organ driven '1958' was a highlight, as well as the foot stomping 'Mr Modern Man', but the thing i liked most about La Shark is the charismatic Deschamps, he pulls in the crowd, reaches the high notes and manages to sing in french, without being cheesy. Yes Matt Bellamy, I'm talking to you.

On to the headline act, The Maccabees, and even on my fourth or fifth gig they always pull it out of the bag. This gig was their last gig before heading back to the studio (other than festival appearances), so they were going to go out with a bang! The opener 'William Powers', from their second album 'Wall of Arms' kick started the crowd in good fashion, followed by a riotous 'One Hand Holding' and soon enough fan pleaser 'Can you give it'. The second half of the set contained first album fan favourites 'Toothpaste Kisses' with lead singer Orlando Weeks' whistling skills in fine performance, and the ever brilliant 'First Love'. Then the dark bassline of 'No Kind Words' reared its head (With friend of the band and music video star Matthew Horne in the crowd) and it went down a treat. 'Love you Better' closed the set, and emotions ran high as Orlando and guitarist Felix dropped their instruments and stage dived into the wild crowd. So, even after relentless touring, they still have as much fun as they can at gigs and i suppose thats why they're one of my favourite bands, they just love what they do.

After the set i had a few words with Orlando and Sam Doyle (Drummer) and to my surprise they remember Eastbourne Festival 2009, my first Maccabees gig. 'It was in a ballroom wasn't it?', yes Sam, yes it was.

As i said before, The Maccabees, they never dissapoint.

Jake