7/10

When Bloc Party returned last year with their highly-praised studio album 'Alpha Games', it was greeted as a return to the bright and innovative direction they first made their name with almost two decades ago. Rekindling much of that early fire for their most recent full-length, the band quickly found their footing on the international scene once again, and are keen to explore new ideas as they deliver 'The High Life EP', a four-track collection that keeps the adventurous nature at the forefront throughout.

Written and recorded after the sessions for 'Alpha Games', 'The High Life EP' aims to cement the mindset of the band and where they are right now in their careers. Brimming with a fresh and energetic aesthetic from start to finish, this new offering aims to set to stage for where they plan to take their sound next. Blending their distinctive ideals with some more intense and dramatic moments at times, they feel confident and assured in what they are doing once again, something that felt absent on some previous outings.

It may only be a small dose of Bloc Party's current perspective, but 'The High Life EP' still manages to pack plenty of punches throughout its 13-minute runtime. A familiar yet inventive pursuit of shimmering textures and progressive ideas, they are bridging the gap between the Bloc Party of now and tomorrow in effortless finesse here.