Catching us by surprise last week was news of Kele Okereke, front man of alternative rock band Bloc Party, reinventing himself as a DJ and producer. Okereke has three EPs signed for release by Crosstown Rebels and major promotion planned around his upcoming club tour starting sometime this winter.
Okereke cited his motivation, saying “I’ve always loved the inclusive and spiritual nature of house music, so the opportunity to make music for the most iconic and influential house music label in the UK is a dream come true for me.†Yet, some within the Blisspop camp still met his change of pace with skepticism, eliciting two main questions: Is Okereke bandwagoning the electronic music trend and what does this mean for the electronic underground?
Within the context of outsider infiltration (most notably by the mainstream market) of electronic dance music, such critical response to Okereke’s new trajectory is not completely unwarranted. Electronic music and its communities continue to become overexposed and such saturation incites a palpable tension between sincere artists and trend-seekers who produce for profit. Yet, considering Okereke’s musical history both as a solo artist and with Bloc Party, there is little reason to see him as a complete outsider. His new path may be surprising but it is not random: His solo releases, first the LP The Boxer and then the EP The Hunter, glided along the electronic music spectrum, albeit not quite touching deep house territory. Likewise, Okereke’s work with Bloc Party often infused elements of electronica, which in my opinion made for some of their most catchy and dynamic songs.
The more interesting aspect of Okereke’s transition is the decision to sign and promote his releases with London-based Crosstown Rebels. The label self-identifies as a purveyor of alternative and unique underground music but it is difficult to see how Okereke’s music fits under that umbrella. Speaking for myself, the first listen of the Heartbreaker EP was pleasant but not particularly inspiring. The first tracks, “Heartbreaker†and “God Has A Way†both flush with intense energy and nod toward classic house styles with their staccato riffs and looped vocals in the way that many producers have done before and continue to do. On “Get Up,†Okereke’s cut and reverberate voice plays background to a paced and crunchy pulse somewhat reminiscent of mellow, progressive house.
Aside from the major promotion planned for Okereke’s debut, he is on equal footing with any other producer aiming to create music of substance. Perhaps the two EPs to follow Heartbreaker will better translate as underground, but for the moment, his endeavors merely scratch the surface of the electronic underground bubble.
Heartbreaker drops on November 25th on vinyl and December 9th on Beatport. His previous mixes are available to stream via Soundcloud.