Ever since their original EPs dating back to the start of the 21st Century, Enter Shikari have been one of the stand-out bands of the alternative UK scene for bringing together a variety of sounds under a single uniform. Not only being one of the more experimental bands in their field but also one of the only bands to showcase these genres in a fully realised art form that just, quite simply works. Now twenty years on, the band’s Spark (see what I did there) has not faltered at all. It’s been incredible to see this journey showing the group adding more and more genres to their arsenal. In the prior two albums, Enter Shikari have shown they’re more than able to dip into Brit-Pop to classical with ease. The ever-present question that lingers on after each release is: what could the band do next?
Almost acting as a continuation to the classical side of their previous album, Nothing Is True & Everything Is Possible, the opening track, ‘A Kiss for the Whole World x’ begins with a cascade of trumpets before inserting it amongst a siege of familiar sounding synths and bass. There’s elements from all Enter Shikari’s prior releases. The tone of the trumpets bring back very specific memories from Take To The Skies, whereas the synth sounds could be taken straight out of Common Dreads. The band don’t hesitate to make these subtle Easter eggs to their older material, while at the same time producing music that seems brand new and invigorating. There’s no doubt the vibe this will produce on the live circuit, loud bass, high bpms, and Rou Reynolds’ iconic voice altogether producing the goal of what any band should want as their opening track to the album. Not only one that sets the pace for what’s to come in the release, but also one that harkens back to the music that put the band in the position they are today, and in a subtle way, thanking the fans who’ve been there since the start.
Enter Shikari have never been strangers to electronic music, from their side project Shikari Sound System to working alongside other artists for the Hospitalised version of The Mindsweep. The band go all in on A Kiss For The Whole World (SO Records/Ambush Reality), no bigger example of this than the two-track punch of ‘Leap Into The Lightning’ followed by ‘Feed your Soul’ where the synths take centre stage. Glitchy sounds accompanied by a looped drum rhythm flit around Reynolds’ vocalisations creating a weird but addictive sound, before jumping into the track’s anthemic chorus. Reynolds’ voice sounds phenomenal with the electronic sounds & the band behind him.
As with the tracks prior, themes of pushing yourself forward and keeping your creative spark bright are key in the music. The ultimate result of these elements combined together making a cathartic experience that will be magnified in the live environment. ‘Feed Your Soul’, following up the track, may just be an interlude reprise for ‘Leap Into The Lightning’ but it works wonders in bulking up the previous track before leading you into the following song.
Similarly, the single ‘Bloodshot’ is accompanied by its reprise – ‘Bloodshot (Coda)’. ‘Bloodshot’ in contrast brings forward some of the best writing and sounds for a single from the band in years. The refrain of “I’m so hypnotised” repeats in the background while the sounds of the synths and the band make full use of the space available, producing one of the most full-sounding tracks from the band. There’s no mistaking that this song was destined to be one of the leading singles for the album. The chorus is infectious, instantly hooking its claws into your brain. Bringing forward inspirations from Nothing Is True & Everything Is Possible, is another classical composition from the band acting as its concluding passage. Horns interpolating the sounds of the single into a whole new genre, truly elevates ‘Bloodshot’ and the album as a whole onto a new level.
When you are presented with music such as this from bands, it really does emphasise how Enter Shikari have been able to rise to such heights in their scene. After twenty years, the band is still finding new styles and genres of music to insert into their own sound, in order to create something new, exciting, and forward-thinking.
A Kiss For The Whole World is a testament to the band’s abilities & the fact that they are still able to create some of the most exciting music today.
Buy the album:
https://www.entershikari.com/store
9 / 10
CHARLIE HILL