‘…when the band decide to get weird, the results show just why they are on the top of the UK’s alternative scene…’
Surprise dropping a record is a bold move for bold artists. Attempted by Bowie and perfected by Beyonce, the release strategy has been utilised by the likes of Rihanna, Kendrick Lamar, and Radiohead to release their music on their terms, divorced from the traditional long-form roll-outs and marketing that musicians are often forced to partake in. Whilst one might have assumed a project was in the works, given their upcoming headline arena tour, few would ever have guessed that St Albans legends Enter Shikari would join this list of artists with their eighth record, being released on April 10th following their intimate performance at Manchester’s Satan’s Hollow.
The band have described ‘Lose Your Self‘ as one of their “darkest and heaviest” to date, and whilst the “heaviest” part may well be up for debate, the “darkest” segment is clear to see. A rallying cry for the death of individualism in the face of a capitalist system that, left unchecked, can and will result in our own extinction, this is Enter Shikari balancing the introspective with the societal quite like never before. Set against a backdrop of the elite threatening to end civilisations, a plausible far-right (see: fascist) regime taking power in the UK, and a society throwing away resources so their digital magic eight ball can spit out nonsense answers, perhaps the most surprising aspect of this release is how relevant it all feels.
This catharsis, however, takes a while to come to fruition. At first, ‘Lose Your Self’ appears to follow the same mould as ‘A Kiss for the Whole World’, with the first four tracks demonstrating the same streamlined sound that the band had utilised on that previous release; polished, poppy, and catchy, but lacking the distinctive bite that had punctuated the sound of Shikari throughout the years. Undeniably Shikari, but little else.
This isn’t to say that the opening quadrilogy have nothing going for them. Title track and opener ‘LOSE YOUR SELF’ sets the thematic tone of the record incredibly well, with vocalist Rou Reynolds’ musings on shunning individualism in the face of a society on verge of collapse. It is bristling and bombastic, and does well to catch your attention. ‘Find Out The Hard Way…’ is a surprisingly playful number, with acerbic lyricism layered atop of an uplifting and anthemic instrumental, punctuated by a glittering riff. ‘demons’ offers a nice moment of introspection, but ultimately lacks a killing punch that one expects from Shikari’s music.
Yet as the record unfurls, Shikari ramp up the intensity and intrigue; from ‘The Flick Of A Switch I.‘, the band return to the genre-bending, pseudo-conceptual antics that one might have expected to find on the likes of ‘The Mindsweep‘, and the resulting listening experience feels urgent and essential. ‘The Flick Of A Switch I.’ barrels down upon the listener with a juggernaut dance beat, demanding violent movement, before taking a sharp left turn and morphing into the stripped-back but high-octane hardcore cut that is ‘i can’t keep my hands clean’. Twisting once more, the following track ‘it’s OK’ is a sunny, swaggering track that drapes shimmering guitars over a bluesy bass backdrop, as Reynolds contemplates willing ignorance in the face of anthropogenic extinction.
It is the closing trilogy of tracks, however, that really captures the imagination, and shows a degree of grandeur from the band not truly seen before. The ‘Spaceship Earth’ narrative is an examination of human mortality, helplessness in the face of extreme odds, and keeping faith through community. ‘I. Avec Abandon’ is a chaotic frenzy of a track that almost feels like the band’s earliest material; post-hardcore rhythms surge towards with gritty riffing and buzzing synths, as Reynolds contemplates the cost of existence. ‘II. Angosocio’ almost makes planet Earth feel claustrophobic, decrying a ruling class that have consolidated power and seem hell-bent on flying the ship straight into the maw of a black hole. The record’s most beautiful moment, however, comes as the track morphs into ‘III. Maestoso’, with orchestral elements bursting through the soundscape like rays of blinding hope in the face of impossible odds. The idea of Shikari creating a record full based around orchestral elements remains one worth salivating at.
Enter Shikari are on record as stating ‘A Kiss for the Whole World‘ was the start of a brand new era for the band, rebuilding themselves in the image of the arena-selling legends that they are. In that regard, ‘Lose Your Self‘ makes for a superb sophomore effort of this phase two that showcases a continued willingness to push themselves into new, electrifying territories. Certainly, there are a few safe choices here that feel more like an attempt to maintain the wider crowd they courted with their previous record, but when the band decide to get weird, the results show just why they are on the top of the UK’s alternative scene. A welcome surprise in every way.
RATING: 78/100
For Fans Of: Muse, Spiritbox, House Of Protection, Electric Callboy, Bring Me The Horizon
Physical copies of the record are available to purchase here.
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