Kneecap – FENIAN

If you've glanced at the news in the last year you may have heard of an Irish rap trio by the name of Kneecap. Since they exploded into our musical consciousness their subsequent rise has been nothing short of stellar. It’s a rise built on an infectious sound – part punk, part hip-hop, part drum and bass, and a lot of attitude. But it isn't just charts they have been dominating – they’re no stranger to the headlines. Their vocal support of Irish Republicanism and Palestinian solidarity causes frequent encounters with the long, scaly arm of the law. Just last month, Kneecap rapper Mo Chara walked free after a CPS case against him was thrown out of court.

Their new album, FENIAN (named for a derogatory slur against Irish Catholics that they're reclaiming for "everyone speaking truth to power"), is a tetchy statement of intent that will continue their beef with the British establishment. The sound is raw and grinds with edgier and harder beats, perhaps signalling a new direction for the group’s versatile beatmaker, DJ Próvaí.

Smugglers & Scholars tees up the album perfectly for that darker sound with its thundering synth backing. It’s followed by Carnival, which directly addresses the recent court case. Backed by chants of ‘Free, Free Mo Chara’, it’s incredibly catchy and goes down as a real highlight. Next up is a feature from Palestinian rapper Fawzi on the appropriately named Palestine, a marker of their uncompromising politics.

Title track FENIAN is another highlight. It’s the most punk track here, showing the tongue-in-cheek humour and angry sound that many will associate with the trio. An Ra is the most explicit attack on everything Kneecap perceives as wrong with their neighbours across the Irish sea. The little of it that is expressed in English will likely be inflammatory to more patriotically-minded listeners.

Finally, closer Irish Goodbye introduces listeners to a slower sound not often found in Kneecap’s music. Móglaí Bap’s deeper cadence is allowed to shine here, and is complemented by a spoken word piece from Kae Tempest. It’s a beautiful end to a well put-together album, thanks in part to working alongside super-producer Dan Carey. But then again, Kneecap have always been about music; that they have become pariahs of the British establishment classes is above all because they are talented, dextrous musicians willing to speak out for oppressed people all over the world. Long live Kneecap.

Listen to: Carnival, Smugglers & Scholars, Irish Goodbye