10 Famous Musicians That Went Solo

10. Kele Okereke

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bdQioZHYpvQ As the front man and lyricist of mid-noughties post-punk revivalists, Bloc Party, Kele Okereke blended the personal and the political to express the ennui he felt as a twenty-something in the modern world, coming on like Britain€™s answer to Clay Easton. Subsequent albums saw the band€™s sound expand from guitar-laced funk of the Gang of Four variety into even dancier territory. Progression is, of course, necessary for any self-respecting group but many suspected that these newfound sonic leanings were orchestrated solely by its front man. Whilst words had always been an Okereke domain, the talents of his musical charges were being marginalised substantially, with many cuts from third album, Intimacy, containing less guitar and more electro-enthused beats. And The Boxer, Kele€™s 2010 solo work, did much to prove that he was the ringleader of his band€™s flirtations with electronica. His lyrical preoccupations remained intact, bolstered by a bullish will to experiment and fully explore how his anxious vocal style translated into a more ambient genre. Sounding like Intimacy€™s weaker twin, it does appear however, that Kele€™s work is best conducted within the confines of an accomplished group.

Worth the (solo) effort? A crucial jaunt for Kele to expel some of his more experimental ideals but an album that pales in comparison to the rest of his output.

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A 22 year old English Literature graduate from Birmingham. I am passionate about music, literature and football, in particular, my beloved Aston Villa. Lover of words and consumer of art, music is the very air that I breathe.