Alpha Games

Alpha Games is the sixth studio album by English indie rock band Bloc Party, released on 29 April 2022. It is the first studio album by the band since 2016's Hymns. It is notably the first album with significant contributions from band members Justin Harris and Louise Bartle, who joined the band in 2015.[1]

Alpha Games
Studio album by
Bloc Party
Released29 April 2022
Length39:33
Label
Producer
Bloc Party chronology
Hymns
(2016)		 Alpha Games
(2022)
Singles from Alpha Games
  1. "Traps"
    Released: 23 November 2021
  2. "The Girls Are Fighting"
    Released: 26 January 2022
  3. "Sex Magik"
    Released: 25 February 2022
  4. "If We Get Caught"
    Released: 24 March 2022

Background and recording

Bloc Party released its last studio album, Hymns, in 2016.[2] On 22 January 2020, lead singer Kele Okereke announced on his personal social media accounts that Bloc Party had begun writing a new album in the previous few weeks.[3] On 23 November 2021, they officially announced the album and they released the first single "Traps" the same day.[2] Speaking about "Traps", Okereke said: "From the moment we wrote 'Traps', we knew it had to be the first thing people heard from this album; playing it in soundchecks on our last tour before it was finished and hearing how it sounded in those big rooms and outdoors."[4] The album was released on 29 April 2022.[2] Alpha Games was produced by Nick Launay and Adam Greenspan and released under the record label Infectious Music/BMG Rights Management.[4][5] A second single "The Girls Are Fighting" was released on 26 January 2022 and its music video was released on 28 January.[6] On 25 February 2022, the third single "Sex Magik" was released.[7] A fourth single "If We Get Caught" was released on 24 March 2022.[8]

The band is due to tour the UK and Europe in 2022 in support of the album.[2]

Critical reception
Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic67/100[9]
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[10]
PopMatters8/10[11]

Alpha Games received a score of 67/100 meaning "generally favorable reviews" according to review aggregator Metacritic.[9]

Track listing
Alpha Games track listing
No.TitleLength
1."Day Drinker"3:13
2."Traps"2:54
3."You Should Know the Truth"3:01
4."Callum Is a Snake"1:59
5."Rough Justice"3:13
6."The Girls Are Fighting"3:55
7."Of Things Yet to Come"4:03
8."Sex Magik"3:26
9."By Any Means Necessary"2:49
10."In Situ"2:55
11."If We Get Caught"3:14
12."The Peace Offering"4:51
Total length:39:33

Personnel

Bloc Party

  • Kele Okereke – vocals, guitar
  • Russell Lissack – guitar
  • Justin Harris – bass guitar, synthesizer, backing vocals
  • Louise Bartle – drums, percussion, backing vocals

Additional personnel

  • Nick Launay – production, mixing, engineering
  • Adam Greenspan – production, mixing, engineering
  • Bernie Grundman – mastering
  • Samantha Meadows – layout
  • John Russell – drum technician
  • Simon Jayes – drum technician
  • George Chung – engineering assistance

References
  1. "Song of the Week: "Traps" by Bloc Party – Week of November 29, 2021 | Music Trajectory". 28 November 2021.
  2. Krol, Charlotte (23 November 2021). "Bloc Party return with new song 'Traps' and announce sixth album 'Alpha Games'". NME. Retrieved 23 November 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  3. Moore, Sam (22 January 2020). "Kele Okereke postpones UK solo tour to finish new Bloc Party album". NME. Retrieved 6 January 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  4. Gomez, Jade (23 November 2021). "Bloc Party Announce Alpha Games, Share New Single "Traps"". Paste. Retrieved 23 November 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  5. Whitaker, Marisa (23 November 2021). "Bloc Party Announce Alpha Games, Share 'Traps'". Spin. Retrieved 23 November 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  6. Zemler, Emily (28 January 2022). "Bloc Party Recount a Bad Night Out in 'The Girls are Fighting'". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on 25 February 2022. Retrieved 18 April 2022.
  7. Zemler, Emily (25 February 2022). "Bloc Party Get Nostalgic on Pulsating New Single 'Sex Magik'". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on 3 March 2022. Retrieved 18 April 2022.
  8. "Bloc Party Share New Track 'If We Get Caught'". DIY. 24 March 2022. Retrieved 18 April 2022.
  9. "Alpha Games by Bloc Party". Retrieved 29 April 2022.
  10. Phares, Heather. "Alpha Games - Bloc Party | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 30 April 2022.
  11. Piatkowski, Peter (29 April 2022). "Bloc Party: Alpha Games (Album Review)". PopMatters. Retrieved 30 April 2022.
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