Kele

Bloc Party frontman Kele Okereke sets his dance-friendly agenda early on his solo debut, barely coming up for air during an opening trifecta that includes the ecstatic first single “Tenderoni.” It all sounds exciting and as liberating as one would expect of a singer-guitarist going solo with keyboards and drum machines, and Okereke does a fine balancing act with the shirtless bumping and dramatic electro-pop, even making room for a little Bloc Party lite with “Unholy Thoughts.” Okereke has said that he’s finally found his sweet spot with The Boxer, which will give Bloc Party fans pause; it’s a good album and all, but it shouldn’t be mistaken for anything more than an adventurous side project.  

Updated 08/27/2010