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Bloc Party dance through heartbreak on new single ‘Now We Can’t Be Friends’ and announce UK record store tour
Bloc Party have released a new single, "Now We Can't Be Friends", and announced a run of UK record store shows ahead of their seventh studio album, "Anatomy Of A Brief Romance", due out on 11 September. The synth-driven track finds frontman Kele Okereke singing about running into an ex on the dancefloor after a break-up, continuing the album's narrative arc from the excitement of a new romance through to heartbreak.
The 14-track record was produced by Trevor Horn, known for his work with Grace Jones, Pet Shop Boys and Frankie Goes To Hollywood, and follows the band's 2022 album "Alpha Games". It will be released on the new label cOnTAGIOUS LTD via Virgin Music Group. To mark the release, Bloc Party will play seven UK record store dates from 9 to 17 September, including stops in Bury, Kingston, Liverpool, Nottingham, Bristol, London and Leeds, before joining Muse on tour in North America and later co-headlining UK and European dates with Interpol in the autumn.
In short
- Bloc Party share new single "Now We Can't Be Friends"
- New album "Anatomy Of A Brief Romance" out 11 September
- UK record store tour dates announced for September
Explained simply
Bloc Party are a British rock band who emerged in the early 2000s and built a significant following with their energetic performances and evolving electronic-influenced sound. Over multiple albums across more than two decades, they have remained active in alternative rock and maintained a dedicated fanbase. The band are known for their willingness to experiment with different musical styles whilst maintaining their distinctive identity.
The band's new album, "Anatomy Of A Brief Romance", represents a concept-driven narrative arc, with its 14 tracks telling the story of a romantic relationship from excitement through heartbreak. The record was produced by Trevor Horn, a highly respected figure known for his work with Grace Jones, Pet Shop Boys and Frankie Goes To Hollywood, indicating a high-profile production approach. It follows the band's 2022 album and marks their seventh studio release, suggesting both continuity and artistic reinvention.
Bloc Party's continued presence in the music industry matters because established rock bands releasing ambitious new material help sustain the genre during an era when musical consumption has fundamentally changed. Their engagement with live performance and fan connection through touring remains an important part of how such bands maintain their presence and relevance in contemporary music.
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