Fatherland
Kele Okereke
(BMG)
It followed that the first two solo albums from Bloc Party frontman Kele Okereke centred around electro-pop, given his day job's mid-career beat-embellished overtones. Now, with the indie-rockers increasingly introducing pastoral elements to their propulsive indie-rock, Okereke has started to move into a straight-up folk direction.
Fatherland is a grown-up record coloured by, as you might guess from the title, becoming a parent. The world inevitably looks different under such a focus, although shorn of Okereke's sinewy, paranoid explorations of single life and its pitfalls, his sometimes clumsy lyricism is a little too exposed. Take Capers, which resembles the soundtrack to a PG-rated version of Boardwalk Empire, while idly mentioning interest rates as if discussing mortgage payments is now considered interesting art.
Versions of Us is a rather subtler show of his capabilities, however – the duet with English singer Corinne Bailey Rae is tender and touching. And Portrait has a quiet splendour at its orchestral core that recalls a male take on charismatic American singer-songwriter Regina Spektor.
Fatherland is certainly fingerpicking, but is it good? It is undeniably the sound of a man becoming more comfortable in his own skin, although those who enjoyed the urgency of his past endeavours may feel a little flat.
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Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
Power: Combined output 920hp
Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025
Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
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The specs: 2018 Alfa Romeo Stelvio
Price, base: Dh198,300
Engine: 2.0L in-line four-cylinder
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 280hp @ 5,250rpm
Torque: 400Nm @ 2,250rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 7L / 100km
THE SPECS
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo
Power: 275hp at 6,600rpm
Torque: 353Nm from 1,450-4,700rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch auto
Top speed: 250kph
Fuel consumption: 6.8L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: Dh146,999
Fatherland
Kele Okereke
(BMG)