"Octopus" was released as the band's first single since "One More Chance", a standalone single released 3 years before in 2009. "Octopus" was also notable as being the band's first single to be released on Frenchkiss Records.

"Octopus" was well received by critics upon its release. Billboard stated that the track "takes the band back to the earliest days of Silent Alarm" and called the track "pure rock 'n' roll".Metro also noted the band returning to their indie roots, as well as comparing the track's "strong guitar hook and catchy lyrics" to the band's sound on their debut Silent Alarm.

Counteract Magazine wrote that on the song, "Kele's vocals feel freer and less dominating, giving the whole band a chance to loosen up." They also called "Octopus" an "interesting comeback single" and an "exciting preview of what is yet to come."

Pretty Much Amazing blog summed up the song by saying that it "has more pop appeal than it initially lets on. The beguilingly simple call-and-response melody will get stuck in your head with repeat listens."

The music video for "Octopus" debuted on 10 July 2012 on Bloc Party's official YouTube page and on their website. The music video was directed by Nova Dando, who also directed the video for "What Did I Do?" by the band's lead singer Kele Okereke.

Billboard summarised the music video for "Octopus" as "Bloc Party playing the track in an old warehouse while women dance in black leotards, spinning hula hoops and ribbons of primary colors [...] Bright colors flash across the screen, working with both the primary color theme and the beat of the music." They called the video "a fitting compliment for the song's simple, driven indie sound."

Digital download

7" Single

Digital EP

Four More EP (free CD with Musikexpress magazine)

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Wikipedia