Bloc Party to rush-release album

Bloc Party have announced plans to rush-release their third album on the web this week.

Intimacy will be available online on 21 August and will feature 10 tracks including their recent single Mercury.

The band made the shock announcement during their first ever web chat with fans on Monday.

Bloc Party follow in the footsteps of Radiohead, The Charlatans and Nine Inch Nails who have previously released albums over the web.

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Intimacy can be downloaded from the four-piece's website in MP3 format for £5 while a CD format, which will feature extra songs and be released on 27 October, can also be pre-ordered for £8.

Fans can also purchase both packages for £10.

The album was recorded in two sessions in Kent and London with Paul Epworth, who produced their debut Silent Alarm, and Jacknife Lee, who worked on Bloc Party's follow-up A Weekend In The City.

The move comes after the band announced the rush-release of their current single Mercury last month and debuted it on the Zane Lowe show.

Bloc Party are due to play the Reading and Leeds Festival this weekend on 23-24 August.

They will also headline The Connect Festival in Scotland on 30 August.