Bloc Party to unveil 'Ratchet' on Zane Lowe tonight

Less than a year after their long-awaited first album in four years with 'FOUR', Bloc Party are back with brand new material in the 'NEXTWAVE sessions' EP.

Born and shaped on the road during the bands worldwide tour in 2012, which saw the formative UK four piece playing the biggest headline shows of the career, including a 19,000 capacity sold out show at Earl's Court, the five songs that comprise the EP are a natural continuation of Bloc Party's much-welcomed return to the UK music limelight.

The band worked with renowned producer Dan Carey (whose credits include records with Bat For Lashes, Lianna La Havas and Hot Chip) on the two tracks that open the EP - 'Ratchet' and 'Obscene'.

'Ratchet', the lead track off the EP and one of the groups' punchiest, most confrontational and viciously danceable tracks to date will receive it's premier as Zane Lowe's 'Hottest Record' on Radio 1 tonight (Tues 25th June).

Talking about the track Kele says: "Ratchet was the first song we recorded with Dan. It really came together whilst we were on tour in 2012. We started slipping it into the sets at the start of this year just to try it out and the reactions were insane. We knew we had something special."

The track will be accompanied by a must-see video directed by acclaimed animator Cyriak.

The EP comes ahead of a busy summer in which Bloc Party return to some of the biggest stages and festivals in the UK and Europe, including a headline slot in Latitude.

Bloc Party play the following live dates:
21/06 - Best Kept Secret, Netherlands
22/06 - Hurricane Festival, Germany
23/06 - Southside Festival, Germany
24/06 - In-Music Festival, Croatia
28/06 - Solidays Festival, France
29/06 - Garorock Festival, France
30/06 - Rock-A-Field Festival, Luxembourg
02/07 - Rock For People Festival, Czech Republic
04/07 - Werchter Rock Festival, Belgium
05/07 - Main Square Festival, France
06/07 - Beauregard Festival, France
12/07 - Pohoda Festival, Slovakia
13/07 - Harvest Of Art Festival, Austria
14/07 - Exit Festival, Serbia
16/07 - Complex 457, Swizterland
17/07 - Poupet Festival, France
19/07 - Latitude Festival, UK

EP track-list:
Ratchet
Obsence
French Exit
Montreal
Children Of The Future