Kneecap - Fenian
No pressure then.
So ubiquitous have Kneecap been over the past twelve months that the average person could be forgiven for forgetting they are, first and foremost, musicians.
In fact, despite their increasing notoriety the trio have remained prolific through controversy, court cases and their characteristically outspoken stance.
One would expect them to have changed through their ordeals. Indeed, where once there was volume, on this new album Fenian there is calmness. The sort of serenity that comes with both being more mature and vindicated.
After moody opener ‘Éire go Deo’ (Ireland Forever), a largely spoken-word atmospheric piece, all squelchy acid house and hypnotic female vocals, the album begins proper with ‘Smugglers & Scholars’, a sinister electro bop that builds in layers.
As expected, Mo Chara wastes no time addressing recent events: ‘I never learn my lesson, always be government’s obsession.’