After a four year hiatus and rumours of division, disharmony and imminent collapse, Bloc Party return with one of the year's most eagerly anticipated releases, the aptly titled Four. There has been much speculation that this record would see the band return to their Art Rock roots, following the disappointingly lukewarm reception for their criminally underrated third album Intimacy. Intimacy attempted to fuse big beats and electronic elements with their trademark indie guitar sound, a move that seemed to estrange fans and critics and cause friction within the band itself.
Four marks a very definite return to a more guitar orientated sound - while never quite reaching the dizzy heights of their debut Silent Alarm there is still enough clever guitar interplay and sonic invention to satisfy existing fans and newcomers to the band alike.