Carlos D leaves Interpol

INTERPOL'S stylish-as-fuck bassist Carlos D has decided to call it a day with the New York powerhouses.
According to the band's website, Carlos has "decided to follow another path" just weeks after completing their new album at Electric Lady Studios in New York.
Here's the note in full:

Dear fans,

As some of you have surely heard, Interpol has completed it's(sic) new album.
It was recorded at Electric Lady Studios, New York, and mixed with Alan Moulder at Assault and Battery, London.
The four of us poured our collective heart into this music and we are very proud and excited to share it.
It's a heavy record. But we're feeling limber; and we're going to carry it all around the world for you.
Touring begins this summer, so check here soon for announcements and show dates.
There is more:
Sadly, Carlos will not be joining us.
After the completion of the album, Carlos informed the rest of us that he would be leaving the band. He has decided to follow another path, and to pursue new goals. This separation is amicable, and we whole-heartedly wish him great happiness and success. We will remain, as always, deeply respectful fans of this blazingly talented individual.
We can tell you that we have some very exciting new recruits joining us on the road. So stay tuned - we will promptly be revealing the identities of these illustrious players.
We eagerly await the opportunity to reconvene with you all
- the greatest fans known to Rock.
Thank you.
Interpol

It's sad news. Carlos was the driving force of the band. His playing style and overall persona gave the band something exciting and vibrant and it's difficult to foresee if Interpol can replace such a figure.
Of course, it's exciting to know the new album has been completed but is this the beginning of the end for them?
Lights, the first new song unleashed by Interpol since 2007, is, as we've reported, mediocre and shows fairly little progression from Our Love To Admire.
Maybe Carlos knows this and has decided to leave before they're found out? We'll see.