Hymns

Following significant internal friction and the departure of their legendary rhythm section (Matt Tong and Gordon Moakes), Kele Okereke rebuilds the band for a deeply subdued, spiritual fifth album. The record largely abandons their driving post-punk guitar energy in favor of slow, ambient synthesizers and introspective lyricism exploring Christian faith and personal salvation. The drastic, mellow pivot proved highly polarizing among their early fanbase.