If there’s one thing Kele Okereke can do, it’s his effortless ability to deliver his impeccable versatility in each album. And this time round we get to see the artist wear his heart on his sleeve, as he’s more transparent than he’s ever been in his latest fourth studio album, ‘The Waves Pt. 1’.
Two years since his futuristic rap-infused album '2042', ‘The Waves Pt. 1’ is an earnest, introspective project exploring Okereke’s journey through lockdown. Opening – unsurprisingly – with the calming sounds of waves crashing against the seashore, and the delicate sounds of Okereke’s acoustic guitar, is ‘Message from The Spirit World.’ This track is an incredibly emotive introductory, immediately setting the tone of the album.
In contrast to this is the slightly up-tempo spoken word cut ‘They Didn’t See It Coming’; from beginning to end this track runs on its own journey of escapism – something that seems to be a common theme in this album. From the guitar scales to the looping breathy vocal delivery, ‘They Didn’t See It Coming,’ places you in a relaxing trance.
Harnessing his inner Bloc Party psyche, ‘The Way We Live Now’ exudes the slightly cryptic and grungy vibes we know Okereke for and is a build-up of minimal, but very tense instrumentation – teasing the idea it’ll progress into something bigger.
Having taken inspiration from a range of classical film, interludes and more, in ‘The Waves Pt. 1’, Okereke harnesses these influences and challenges them into idiosyncratic pieces. Thrilling instrumental, ‘Dungeness,’ is oozing in curiosity, as is as gentle as it is equally disturbing.
As you make your way through the tracklist of ‘The Waves Pt. 1,’ you edge closer to what you imagine to be Okereke’s end goal of solace. Erie songwriting such as ‘The Patriots’, ‘The Way We Live Now’ or ‘Cradle You’ are easily album standouts for me. The daunting bass plucks that are matched with menacing riffs in, ‘The Patriots,’ really heighten the spook factor, in an oddly enjoyable way. – Penultimate ‘The Heart Of The Wave’ is a very contemporary piece, channelling the same nonchalant and soothing sounds of the introductory. Giving the sence of being so close to finishing your journey, yet not quite there – a beautiful instrumental easing you into the concluding bonus track 'Cradle You’.
In 13 tracks ‘The Waves pt. 1’ is an elegant accumulating of Kele Okereke’s work. It encapsulates so much depth and takes you on joyous rides that you can never anticipate the direction of. I can’t help but wonder if there is a Pt. 2, and what that would entail as the follow-up to an already very extraordinary album.
8/10
Words: Laviea Thomas
– – –
– – –
Join us on the ad-free creative social network Vero, as we get under the skin of global cultural happenings. Follow Clash Magazine as we skip merrily between clubs, concerts, interviews and photo shoots.
Get backstage sneak peeks, exclusive content and access to Clash Live events and a true view into our world as the fun and games unfold.
