Single review: Enter Shikari - Redshift

Announced in a blur and released on the same day, ‘Redshift’ is the newest single from Alternative rock group Enter Shikari. Having not heard new material from Shikari for over a year the idea of a new song caused waves of excitement within the fan base on that fateful January day, however the excitement was short lived when the song aired on Greg James’ 9pm show that evening.

Redshift itself does what it says on the tin, it sounds like Shikari, with clever riffs, catchy melodies and a general calming spacey tone, it even feels like Shikari with its politically motivated lyrics and a morally tight message; but that’s the problem it’s too Enter Shikari.

Famed for a unique but recognisable style the four piece have gone from strength to strength since their early 2006 formation, with every album from the self-titled ep to their most recent album ‘ The Mindsweep’ providing us with Shikari styled tracks that bring something new to the table.

Take Slipshod for example, a single released between albums just like Redshift; but Slipshod took everything that was typical to the band’s style and turned it up a notch, a kin to something of a political rave, the song was busy, bouncy and manic with an irregular beat; it took listeners on a journey and what a journey it was. Slipshod makes you want to rave and revolt, Redshift with its spacey lyrics: ‘A supergiant erupts, into a supernova, the ultimate sacrifice and we are the descendants’ makes you want to watch the stars, which isn’t necessarily an awful thing but when compared to the band’s past feats just isn’t as exciting.

If you’re looking for, and love Shikari and their style you’ll have no problem with this calm cosmic styled track, which in itself is a success of a song, as after all quality wise it’s a good track. But if you’re a fan of their changeable style and unbeatable skill in the art of genre mashing, Redshift won’t be feeding your innovative upbeat Shikari cravings as much as it’ll be singing you to sleep.

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