Bloc Party’s Kele Okereke discusses new solo album and upcoming fatherhood

Band released fifth album 'Hymns' back in January

Bloc Party‘s Kele Okereke has announced that he will release a new solo album shortly, also confirming that he is set to become a father for the first time.

Okereke’s band released their fifth album ‘Hymns’ in January. Their current line-up consists of original members, singer Okereke and guitarist Russell Lissack, plus new recruits, bassist Justin Harris and drummer Louise Bartle.

Speaking to The Guardian, Okereke said that he is “just finishing a new record”, describing it as “solo work that’s quite different to what I’ve done in the past”.

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He added: “Over the years, with Bloc Party, I’ve been moving away from playing the guitar to exploring more electronic textures, but this record is the opposite of that. It’s something that is very intimate and it’s really for my dad. But it’s not finished yet, so I don’t want to talk about it too much.”

Okereke and his partner are expecting a child, with the frontman telling The Guardian: “I’m excited. I’m petrified. I want to do a good job. I want to be present and that is the most important thing for me, but it still feels quite far away.”

Bloc Party Stunt Queen

He went on to reveal that the baby is due “in the second week of December” and that he knows the sex of the child but is “not telling anyone”. “I’ve always wanted to be a father and I’m very lucky that my partner has always felt the same way. I get why lots of gay men don’t feel like this, but for me it has always felt like something would be missing,” Kele added.

Bloc Party recently shared a video for their new single ‘Stunt Queen’, the first song that was written and recorded by their new-look line-up.

The band have also announced huge shows for 2017, playing London’s Roundhouse and Manchester’s Albert Hall in February of next year. You can see the full tour dates below.

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Manchester, Albert Hall (February 8)
London, Roundhouse (February 10-11)

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