Kneecap have announced a new album, which they describe as “a considered response to those who tried to silence us”. It is set to drop in April.
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Titled ‘FENIAN’, the new record will be released on Heavenly Recordings on April 24 and is available to pre-order here on CD, cassette, DL, black vinyl, tri-colour splatter vinyl, and more from 7.30pm GMT tonight (Wednesday January 28). In the meantime, fans can head here for an exclusive pre-order link from 6pm GMT.
It follows their critically acclaimed 2024 album, ‘Fine Art’ and will feature 14 tracks including collaborations from Kae Tempest, Radie Peat and Fawzi,
The first taster from the record, ‘Liars Tale’ will to drop at 7.30pm tonight, according to their Instagram page.
The new announcement comes on the heels of the trio sharing three standalone singles. These were ‘THE RECAP’ ft. Mozey, a collaboration with Paul Hartnoll of Orbital called ‘Sayōnara’, and ‘No Comment’ featuring DJ / producer Sub Focus – none of which will feature on the new record.
In a statement, the band said: “They tried to stop us by branding Kneecap ‘terrorists’, with cancellations, with statements from the Prime Minister himself. 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.
“Made with Dan Carey, a producer we are honoured to have worked with. It’s a more sinister sound…because these are sinister times. But also defiant and triumphant.”
They added: “Inspired by, and proudly named ‘Fenian’, who were warriors in Irish folklore, and later a derogatory term for the Irish. Now we’re using it to name everyone speaking truth to power.
“After 800 years of colonisation, they thought the Irish language would die, it didn’t. Thanks to [social campaign group] Muintir na Gaeltachta, and all the Gaels who refused to let their culture and language be destroyed. And kneecap is much the same…we haven’t gone away. The Paddies are back.”
The tracklisting for ‘FENIAN’ is:
‘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 released their breakthrough album ‘Fine Art’ in 2024. In a glowing five-star review, NME wrote: “In the dark of the night out, the moment is all that matters and the rave will set you free. To shout that in a ‘dying’ language on a record that couldn’t sound any more alive? That’s power – and Kneecap have it.”
The latest album comes following Mo Chara’s ongoing terror case, which is currently going through an appeal.
The case against the Belfast rapper (real name Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh) was dropped last September due to a technicality relating to the way in which it was brought about. At the time, the Chief Magistrate told the court that the charge was “unlawful” and “null”.
It stems from an alleged incident where he reportedly displayed a Hezbollah flag during a live show in November 2024, and shouted “up Hamas, up Hezbollah”. Both are listed as proscribed terrorist organisations by the UK government.
The rapper maintains that he didn’t know what the flag was when he picked it up, and has claimed the comments were part of an in-character joke.
Kneecap have consistently denied supporting either Hamas or Hezbollah, and said they do not incite or condone violence. They have also argued that the footage at the UK shows had been taken out of context, and described the legal action as a “carnival of distraction”.
Kneecap have also accused the UK government of wasting over £1million on the case.
