English synth-rock/hardcore group Enter Shikari has managed to scrape together a small following in the U.S. thanks to their unique sound, Their new album “The Mindsweep,” released on Hopeless Records, is no different. As before, the band has stretched across many styles while preaching the dangers of human-nature and systematic-government. The message is clear, the music is good, and the value for your college budget is high. What’s not to love? Their new album debuted at number 1 on the United Kingdom’s (U.K) indie charts and 2 on the U.K’s rock charts
This melting-pot of an album has some more synth tracks such as “The Appeal and the Mindsweep 1” as well as some heavier rock/metal tracks like “The Anesthetist.” A few tracks contain elements of both rock/metal and synth, like “The Last Garrison.” The latter two songs are also the albums’ singles and have some nifty music videos on Youtube. “The Last Garrison” takes advantage of a soaring chorus that is easy to sing along too. The band seems to be shooting for a creative, but not alienating sound. There are even some hip-hop influences, particularly in the track “Never Let Go Of The Microscope,” while the track “There’s a Price On Your Head,” keeps it old-school converge hardcore.
Lyrically and vocally, “The Mindsweep” has vocalist Roughton Reynolds’ agenda and style all over it. Going from hardcore screams and growls to melodic choir singing and everywhere in between, Reynolds pushes out some strong messages encouraging the acceptance of science as a universal truth, the betterment of mankind through brotherhood, and of course the critical analysis of modern society as a system. “Myopia” begs for a scientific approach to life, while “The Bank of England” attacks financial states in the U.K. and the world. Other tracks take a more poetic, indirect approach such as “Torn Apart.” The ballad of the album is a lovely piano and vocal song about Rou’s views of the world entitled “Dear Future Historians.” “The Mindsweep” then closes with “The Appeal and the Mindsweep 2,” which picks up where the first track left off with an assault of sound. It even has a referential lyric to the band’s first hit song, “Sorry, You’re Not A Winner” for the fans.
This album has few weak areas, but pointing them out would be simply overcritical. Any fan of U2, Electronica or Rock music should pick this up at some point and listen to a song or two. “The Mindsweep” is available for streaming free on Spotify, and Youtube, and remixes of the tracks are undoubtedly in the works. This album gets an A+ from this writer’s desk. While it could have easily been a great hardcore-punk album (which I would have loved more than anything), Enter Shikari chose to continue their multi-genre sound and challenge themselves to make interesting music with a positive message.