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Enter Shikari
A Kiss For The Whole World
Genre: Alternative Metal.
Released: 21/04/2023
Album Review: Enter Shikari – A Kiss For The Whole World
Enter Shikari have become a staple in the UK’s alternative music scene as they continue to defy genre norms and mix whatever they really feel like to create unique and enjoyable music for their legion of fans. ‘A Kiss For The Whole World’ is the band’s latest entry into their discography and from the single releases alone, fans are sure to be in for one wild ride! Here’s what I thought of Shikari’s new album!
The sound of triumph and celebration is the way I’d describe the intro to ‘A Kiss for the Whole World x’. The trumpet section has to be the shining highlight of this track however the song is just an absolute blast. A mix of electronic trance and heavy-hitting metal is a winning recipe that just keeps getting sweeter! This joyous mood is continued into ‘(pls) set me on fire’. A more hard-hitting track that utilises Rou’s unique screams and some creative vocal layering to create an echoing effect during the song’s chorus.
Giving off more of a ‘Spark’ esc feel, ‘It Hurts’ brings the groovy nature that Shikari have become known for. A nice blend of rock and pure infectious beats is a recipe for some of the whackiest dance moves you’ve ever seen. One of the more surprising tracks for me came in the form of ‘Leap into the Lightning’ which really leans heavily on the electronic side of the band’s tendencies. This track could very easily be blasted over the Tomorrowland sound system and the EDM fans would not feel out of place at all! A bit of a push away from heaviness however a very welcome addition for those of you who are a fan of their remixes and such.
Shikari albums are always full of fun and whacky transitions and ‘feed yøur søul’ is one such track. A creative way to continue the album’s flow while offering the listener a chance to have a little boogy brake. ‘Dead Wood’ come in from out of nowhere with a string quartet accompanying Rou’s vocals. If I’ve learned anything from listening to Enter Shikari over the years, it’s to always expect the unexpected. This track really feels like it’s a natural progression from the style the band displayed on their last album ‘Nothing is True & Everything Is Possible’. It may not be for everyone however it is such an intriguing and entertaining piece of music to not at least give it a try.
Returning to a bit more of a rocky aesthetic is ‘Jailbreak’ which utilises a much more upbeat instrumental to deliver its bucket load of charisma to the listener. Its sudden changes in sound make for some interesting contrasting moments and the song even has a callback to the band’s hit song ‘{The Dreamers Hotel}’! Get ready to enter an electronic trance as ‘Bloodshot’ comes flying in to hypnotise the listener! This track is begging for a live crowd as it’s purely a dancer and mosher’s dream. Beefy bass matched with a dirty scythe that’s just asking for the biggest pit possible.
Once again, we are met with another transitional track in the form of ‘Bloodshot (Coda)’ which reintroduces the string section to ring out Bloodshot and reintroduce the much-beloved trumpet section! This is abruptly interrupted by a much heavier opening in the form of ‘goldfish ~’. Despite the intro fooling you into expecting a bombastic heavy track, the song is surprisingly delicate and whimsical as it delivers a tune that utilises metaphors to convey a deeper message. This song does however have a very impactful yet brief breakdown!
The final track on the record is ‘Giant Pacific Octopus (i don’t know you anymore)’. Which is just as whacky as the title suggests. Sudden changes from a rapid yet joyous instrumental to a more vocally driven verse. The instrumental itself sound’s very video game esc and I feel that works extremely well for this track. There is one final transitional track titled ‘giant pacific octopus swirling off into infinity…’ which sends the album off onto its final voyage nicely.
If you were looking for one of Shikari’s most diverse albums to date then this may just be the record for you! It has a bit of everything and that may mean that as a collective, it may not end up being their most widely praised album however it will certainly leave a lasting impression on everyone who listens to it.
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