British rock band Bloc Party rang in 2016 with one of their most polarizing releases ever in Hymns, an album that arrived with fresh faces in half the quartet’s lineup. Now, as they get set to play the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles this weekend, Bloc Party return with a new single called “Stunt Queen”, and it displays bits and flashes of their earlier, slash-and-burn post-punk.
The track, which you can stream below via YouTube, is also the first song written and recorded entirely by the new lineup of Kele Okereke (vocals, guitar), Russell Lissack (guitar), Justin Harris (bass) and Louise Bartle (drums).
In a press release, Okereke says the single “has its genesis in an idea that dates back to the Australian tour we did at the start of 2016. It was an idea that we worked on at sound checks and was one of the first ideas to come along after Justin and Louise joined the band. Playing the Hollywood Bowl feels like a significant milestone for the band, and we wanted to mark it with a new release. We’re excited to be playing our biggest ever headline gig in the U.S. and releasing new material in the same week.”
In addition to the Hollywood Bowl gig, Bloc Party have a few southwestern dates before now and Sunday. Check them out below, and revisit our photo gallery from the band’s June appearance at the House of Blues in Boston.
Bloc Party US Tour Dates:
September 21 Tempe, AZ @ Marquee Theatre
September 23 Las Vegas, NV @ Life is Beautiful Festival
September 24 San Diego, CA @ The Observatory North Park
September 25 Los Angeles, CA @ Hollywood Bowl