The Flames Pt. 2
Kele Okereke · 2023
40 min · 12 tracks · indie rock
A vibrant fusion of electronic beats and introspective lyrics, weaving together themes of love, loss, and resilience.
Top tracks — play these first
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Never Have I Ever — This opening track sets the tone for the album with its infectious rhythm and reflective lyrics exploring regret and missed opportunities.
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True Love Knows No Death — This track stands out for its poignant exploration of love transcending loss, combining emotional depth with a captivating melody that lingers long after listening.
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Her Darkest Hour — A highlight of the album, this song delves into vulnerability and resilience, showcasing Okereke's ability to convey complex emotions through evocative lyrics and an immersive soundscape.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends electronic beats with introspective lyrics, creating a varied listening experience but lacks strong cohesion.
What we noticed
- The first half of the album features upbeat tracks with electronic elements, while the second half shifts to more introspective and slower tempos.
- Several tracks incorporate layered vocal harmonies that create a rich texture, particularly in the choruses.
- The lyrics frequently explore themes of mental health and emotional resilience, often using metaphorical language that invites deeper reflection.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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6/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Little footprint beyond its audience. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady flow with varied intensity
- introspective reflections on love
- vibrant beats for focused listening
- thoughtful tracks for late nights
Maybe skip if you
- seeking instant gratification
- prefer standalone singles
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released on March 24, 2023, The Flames Pt. 2 is Kele Okereke's first full-length album since his exploration of solo artistry post-BLOC PARTY. This album marks a significant evolution in his sound, stepping away from the band's indie rock roots into more diverse electronic influences while showcasing his growth as a songwriter.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Bloc Party· James Blake· Hot Chip
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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Someone to Make Me Laugh
The singer shifts from self-reflection to expressing a longing for companionship to alleviate loneliness.
This shift emphasizes the contrast between isolation and the desire for human connection, highlighting a recurring theme throughout the album.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Never Have I Ever 4:13
- 2 Reckless 2:36
- 3 And He Never Was the Same Again 4:14
- 4 True Love Knows No Death 2:54
- 5 Vandal 3:31
- 6 Her Darkest Hour 3:01
- 7 No Risk No Reward 3:01
- 8 Someone to Make Me Laugh 3:21
- 9 I’m in Love with an Outline 4:10
- 10 Acting on a Hunch 2:26
- 11 Kerosene 3:24
- 12 The Colour of Dying Flame 3:22
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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