Bloc Party announced the shock release of their third album in a webchat with fans last night.

The band will release 'Intimacy', the follow-up to 2007's 'A Weekend in the City' this Thursday, August 21st. The album is available to pre-order on CD and digitally from their official site, www.blocparty.com now.

Fans have an option of paying £5 (approx. €6.33) for the digital version, £8 (+ £2 shipping to Ireland = approx. €12.67) for the CD version, or £10 for the CD and digital version together.

The tracklisting of 'Intimacy', which was produced by Jacknife Lee and Paul Epworth, is as follows:

'Ares'
'Mercury'
'Halo'
'Biko'
'Trojan Horse'
'Signs'
'One Month Off'
'Zephyrus'
'Better Than Heaven'
'Ion Square'

Bloc Party celebrate 'Intimacy's release with a support slot to The Killers at Marlay Park this Thursday. The gig is sold out.