Kneecap have announced their new album ‘FENIAN’

Belfast-based trio KNEECAP have announced their forthcoming album ‘FENIAN’, set for release on Friday 24th April.

This follows their 2024 release ‘Fine Art’ and a self-titled biopic, which received both BAFTA and Sundance awards. Produced by Dan Carey, the album features a “more sinister sound” which reflects the current times.

The trio, comprising Mo Chara, Móglaí Bap and DJ Próvaí, describe the album as a response to attempts to silence them. “They tried to stop us by branding KNEECAP ‘terrorists’, with cancellations, with statements from the Prime Minister himself,” they explain. “We had all the motivation we needed… this isn’t a swift reaction, but a considered response to those that tried to silence us. And failed.”

They have also released ‘Liars Tale’, the first single from the album, accompanied by a video directed by Thomas James. The track is described as an overt challenge to political figures, particularly targeting Keir Starmer. “Starmer is a scumbag, don’t accept it,” the band state.

Thomas James explained the video concept as a “punk, absurd, abrasive and wild” reflection of the chaotic world. He described it as a “carnival of distraction” filled with ideas that capture the current “2+2=5 hell-scape”.

The tracklisting for ‘FENIAN’ reads:

‘Éire go Deo’
‘Smugglers & Scholars’
‘Carnival’
‘Palestine (ft. Fawzi)’
‘Liars Tale’
‘FENIAN’
‘Big Bad Mo’
‘Headcase’
‘An Ra’
‘Cold At The Top’
‘Occupied 6’
‘Gael Phonics’
‘Cocaine Hill (ft. Radie Peat)’
‘Irish Goodbye (ft. Kae Tempest)’

KNEECAP have also announced a series of out-store shows to coincide with the album’s release, followed by several EU festival appearances over the summer.

The dates read:

APRIL
23 Circuit, KINGSTON with Banquet Records
24 Chalk, BRIGHTON with Resident Records
25 Fleece, BRISTOL with Rough Trade
26 Rescue Rooms, NOTTINGHAM with Rough Trade
28 Live House, DUNDEE with Assai
29 Liquid Rooms, EDINBURGH with Assai
30 TBC, LONDON with Rough Trade East

MAY
29-30 AVA, BELFAST, IE

JUNE
6 Primavera, BARCELONA, ES
11 Primavera, PORTO, PT
13 Festi’Neuch, NEUCHATEL, FR
27 Crystal Palace Park, LONDON, UK

JULY
1 Open’er Festival, GDYNIA, PL
2 Roskilde Festival, ROSKILDE, DK
4 Rock Werchter, WERCHTER, BE
18 PhilGood Festival, PLOVDIV, BG
21 All Together Now, WATERFORD, IE

AUGUST
12-16 Boomtown, WINCHESTER, UK
28-30 Reading & Leeds Festivals, UK

Tickets for the out-store dates will be available from 10am on 29th January.