New Bloc Party Album Is Almost Here

Bloc Party are nearing completion of their second album, the follow-up to last year's critical darling, Silent Alarm.

While speaking to the fan site BlocParty.net, singer Kele Okereke revealed a list of 13 songs that will likely comprise the final track list for the as-yet-untitled record.

The recording of the Jacknife Lee-produced album has been completed, but Okereke was apparently writing and rewriting lyrics right up to the last minute.

In a post on the band's Marshals fan space, bassist Gordon Moakes revealed more information about the recording process, which started at Grouse Lodge in County Westmeath, Ireland.

"Jacknife Lee has guided us skillfully through the process, encouraging all kinds of thinking and attitude to get the best we can out of this record. We've all been banging and hitting things, detuning guitars, programming beats and making various kinds of racket."

Speaking about some of the new songs the band has concocted, Moakes added:

"I shan't reveal too much just yet, but expect a song where Matt [Tong] and I play drums simultaneously; some truly R'n'B-styled beats; Russell [Lissack]'s work with a Big Muff pedal; the sound of a guitar amp being thrown off a first-story balcony; at least one unplayable guitar solo; both eggshell-thin fragility and trouser-flapping hugeness; piano, glockenspiel, strings; you name it."

The loose-lipped Moakes also revealed in an interview with Rolling Stone that the band were looking to Radiohead as inspiration for the new album.

"[We're working toward] not being afraid to make music out of quite difficult sounds and have things quite processed. We want to get more texture into what we do, and not have it just like a rock record."

Here's the tentative track list for the new Bloc Party disc. Some of these songs may not make the final cut:

"A Prayer To The Lord"
"England" (formerly "Blue Moon")
"Hunting For Witches"
"It Started In An Afternoon"
"Kreuzberg"
"On" (formerly "Wet")
"Seroxat"
"Song For Clay (Disappear Here)"
"Sunday"
"Uniform"
"Waiting For The 7:18"
"We Were Lovers" (formerly "Cells Shaped Like Stars")
"Where Is Home" (formerly "Perfect Teens")