The internet went into a complete overjoyed frenzy last night as Enter Shikari unexpectedly but representatively released a surprise album for us to wake up to! In a world of bad news on social media feeds, this was wholeheartedly welcomed by us from the mega-talented musical storytellers of this generation and the band that always know how to keep us on our toes.
With zero prior announcements, releases or teasers from the band, Enter Shikari have released their brand new album, “Lose Your Self” (released via So Recordings). The album spans 12 brand new tracks exploring themes of desolation, futility and complete despair at the state of the world, but with glimmers of hopefulness and optimism threaded throughout.
Enter Shikari have managed to not only release “Lose Your Self” digitally, but also physically. As of right now (from midnight on Friday, 10th April), this accomplished and ingenious body of work is available to stream and also buy in CD and vinyl format worldwide.
Frontman Rou Reynolds articulates, “We’re delighted to present LOSE YOUR SELF, and give people the chance to hear a Shikari record like never before – as a cohesive whole.
We want people to go on a proper journey with this album, and see where it takes them.
No lead up, no singles, and no explanation. Forcing the listener to actually listen, without being drip-fed ideas out of context, or spoon-fed explanations.
We simply present it all, for the listener to immerse themself in.
Releasing in this way was also a decision to not be distracted by chart races, or accolades and “things”.
We got the No.1 album on our last record. This is simply about the music being presented in a natural way.
Despite turning out to be one our darkest and heaviest albums to date, it also preaches hope and offers answers.
Shikari will always offer hope, because without hope there is no action. We’ll just always offer it with a dose of realism.”
Listen to the album here; https://entershikari.os.fan/
It came as a double surprise with a string of intimate album release shows announced, which are set for this month. Tickets for these shows go on sale on the 15th of April – go to https://entershikari.os.fan/ for details on ticket purchases and timings for each show.
Earlier this year, Enter Shikari announced a UK and EU headline arena tour for November, their biggest yet, a headline run around Australia in May, and also around North America in June! The EU dates kick off on 3rd November at the Sporthalle in Hamburg, and include the band’s biggest ever German headline show, at Düsseldorf’s Mitsubishi Halle, boasting a capacity of 7500! The band will then begin the UK leg of the tour in Nottingham at the Motorpoint Arena on 13th November. Gigs in cities including Cardiff, Hull, Glasgow and Manchester will follow, before ending with not one but two shows at London’s Alexandra Palace on 20th and 21st November! They will be joined by Holding Absence and The Callous Daoboys as support for both the EU and UK shows. All dates, information and tickets for all live dates can be found here.
Every ticket sold for the band’s UK arena tour dates will include a £1 donation to the Music Venue Trust, supporting grassroots music venues under threat of closure in the UK. Enter Shikari were the first artists to implement the scheme, which is one very close to their hearts.
