release date: Nov. 25, 2013
format: digital (4 x File, MP3)
[album rate: 2,5 / 5] [2,68]
producer: Kele Okereke, Tom Belton
label: Crosstown Rebels - nationality: Engalnd, UK
Tracklist: 1. "Heartbreaker" - 2. "God Has a Way" - 3. "Heartbreaker (Recondite Amiti Mix)" - 4. "Get Up"
Ep release by Kele (aka Kele Okereke) in the aftermath of having released the fourth album with Bloc Party in 2012 and its ep Nextwave Sessions (Aug. 2013), which was followed by the farewell of founding member and drummer Matt Tong. Kele himself initiated a parrallel solo career with his album The Boxer (Jun. 2010), a quite diverse release from what Bloc Party represented at the time. This sidestep was underlined with his 2011 solo ep The Hunter (Oct. 2011).
Heartbreaker EP is yet again something entirely different, and this time he really goes fully electronic. It's not a release that picks up any suggestions laid out on neither Nextwave Sessions, nor on The Hunter 'cause this is nearly entirely instrumental house music - something he or the band hasn't actually represented before. Therefore, this album may not find its strongest supporters amongst the broad fan base, and I for one has found this one a difficult release. All other releases by either Kele or especially Bloc Party have sooner or later found their way to my appreciation. This one still has a way to travel in that regard. For now, I find it generic house and something that doesn't stand out. AND then on a first glance this is a four-track ep but after listening to its total of 25 mins, it's evident that it's more of a variations of a theme. "Get Up" is more or less a very close alternate track and even "God Has a Way" is too close to the first track to not find it yet another variation. Being familiar with Temperamental (1999) by Everything but the Girl this does sound like pieces inspired by that club sensation, which in itself isn't bad, and then: that album came out nearly 15 years earlier and was in an entirely different league that then spurred other great releases, whereas this resonate something you could come up with after spending a a first week playing with electronic equipment. Sorry, but it's not great, Kele. First time you're clearly off target.
Not recommended.