ALBUM REVIEW: KNEECAP – Fine Art

’…a raucous, radical look at KNEECAP’s meteoric to fame and infamy…’

They might be based out of Belfast, but KNEECAP aren’t a ‘North Irish’ band, and they certainly aren’t a UK band. The Gaelic speaking trio have been a thorn in the side of many a unionist politician, and have drawn the ire of Westminster for their outspoken criticism of England’s colonialist nature. Through their abrasive music and energetic performances, the band have cultivated not just a cult following, but a new discussion on a future for a united Ireland.

It was six years ago that the outfit released their debut record ‘3CAG’, and have kept fans satiated with a steady stream of singles, including the brilliant ‘Get Your Brits Out’. Now the band are finally back with a sophomore record that has not only launched their movie careers, but transcended musical boundaries; hip-hop fans and metal fans, rave goers and crowd killers, and everyone in between can’t seem to stop talking about ‘Fine Art’.

This is a raucous, radical look at KNEECAP’s meteoric rise to fame and infamy, documenting all of their righteous, unapologetic aggression, and unfettered, substance fuelled hedonism. The album sticks to its conceptual narrative strongly, taking the listener from the good atmosphere of a proper Irish pub, to the corrupt streets of London, and then to the dance floors of the most excessive parties you’ll never be cool enough to be invited to.

This strong structural backbone allows the band to explore multiple facets of their celebrity status without ever feeling as though they are unfocused. ‘Sick in the Head’ and ‘Better Way to Live’ exist as cautionary tales of substance abuse and the thrill of celebrity, whilst tracks such as ‘Rhino Ket’ are unapologetic reflections of rave culture and the pure euphoria that it brings. ‘Fine Art’ is perhaps the most telling, with the band juggling their roots with a sudden jolt into the limelight, now existing as icons to many.

It’s an ambitious record, and that level of ambition would go nowhere if the band weren’t such good songwriters. Mo Chara and Móglaí Bap exhibit fantastic penmanship, managing to nail perfectly when to be witty, when to be ferocious, and when to be vulnerable. The pair bounce off one another perfectly, with Bap’s scrappy ferocity and Chara’s more menacing stoicism balancing out into a formidable duo that are both there to keep good times rolling at any cost.

Certainly, KNEECAP have worked hard at ensuring their imagine remains true to their ‘hood’ roots, but ‘Fine Art’ does a lot to humanise the band beyond this; these people aren’t just ‘thugs’, as their lyrics say, but passionate and complex individuals who want nothing more than a better world for those subjected to the oppression of colonialism, and maybe a bag of ketamine strong enough to knock out a rhino.

That’s just half the story of KNEECAP, however; the beats here are absolutely incendiary throughout. DJ Provaí’s production brings everything to life, whether it’s the claustrophobic gangland warfare of ‘I bhFiacha Linne’ with its brilliant ‘3CAG, pop and drop you like jenga (Kaboot, Slán)’ hook, or the glossy 90’s/Y2K club beats of ‘Love Making’, elevated by the guest vocals of Nino. No matter where you look on this album, the instrumentals and the production suits the mood perfectly. Even the interludes, no matter how brief, are well-composed.

All of it is underpinned by KNEECAP’s belief in an independent, unified Ireland. Earlier this year, the band saw an arts grant revoked after intervention by the British government, following statements such as the painting of a flaming police car, as referenced in the title track. They have remained unwavering in their rightful critique of England as a colonialist nation, and their usage of the Gaelic language across the record is a defiant move in a music culture that consistently prioritises music performed in English.

Their politics does take something of a backseat on this record in comparison to their previous material; you’re not going to find too many opportunities to chant ‘Brits out’ on this record, as the band place most of their focus on being introspective. That’s not to say that it’s totally absent, however, with ‘Parful’ observing how live music transcends sectarian boundaries that have ripped up Irish communities.

This album isn’t the overwrought musings of an experienced elder artist, but the reality of three young working-class Irish men suddenly exploding into global mainstream consciousness. The music might be hip-hop, but the spirit is thoroughly punk, and that is where a lot of KNEECAP’s appeal stems from. It’s gritty, it’s ferocious, it’s rebellious, and it’s damn good fun.

’Fine Art’ feels like a very important moment for not just KNEECAP, but dare I say for the case of a unified Ireland. What is often disregarded as a fringe political belief within the UK is being introduced to a whole new crowd of people, backed by three talented musicians with a deep understanding of the modern cultural zeitgeist.

Is that too bold of a statement? Perhaps; the views here are from the 33rd county, after all. But I suspect in time, history will look very, very favourably on this record, and KNEECAP as a whole.

RATING: 82/100 – Very Good

For Fans Of: Yard Act, Death Grips, Benefits, Astroid Boys, The Streets

Physical copies are available to purchase here.

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