West-Belfast’s Trio KNEECAP are at it Again With 'FENIAN'

For the past six and a half years that I’ve been living in Ireland, the music scene has been getting hotter and hotter. It keeps drawing massive international interest. While it is an island traditionally popular for its literary storytelling—after all, it’s the land of James Joyce, Oscar Wilde, and W.B. Yeats—the current era proves it is the perfect time to be a fan of Irish music.

KNEECAP has become one of the most important voices emerging from Ireland. With their outspoken activism and unstoppable urge to rap in Irish, they are creating a wave of newfound interest in the native tongue. During the British occupation of Ireland, speaking the language and playing traditional music were prohibited. Movements like the one KNEECAP is spearheading are taking active steps to reclaim this heritage. The album is deeply tied to the concept of the ‘Fenian,’ a term referring to Irish Republicans who advocate for a united Ireland. The record is every bit as politically charged as its title suggests.

Setting the Tone

The album opens with “Éire go Deo”, a phrase used to rally allegiance for Ireland. It is a subdued, calm opener featuring spoken word in Irish overlaid with atmospheric synths and mystical female vocals. It perfectly sets the tone for the album, establishing KNEECAP’s signature blend of the Irish language and history.

From there, the record charges straight into “Smugglers & Scholars.” It directly references the terrorism-related charges Mo Chara faced. Those landed him in court for targeted allegations that were ultimately dropped. They continue to masterfully build the soundscape of the album here, utilizing a lower BPM and relatively minimalist beats that allow Móglaí Bap and Mo Chara to showcase their speed with effortless bars.

The album isn’t just a straight run of heavy, thumping bass and slick bars. While that certainly happens on a track or two, the pacing wisely grants the listener some respite to reflect. Third on the tracklist is “Carnival”, which plays on traditional carnival melodies and samples court recordings from the aforementioned case. It depicts the British government and those in power as fools. The lads know exactly how to craft a catchy tune that fits their unruly style. They create infectious beats and unique synth layers driven by Mo Chara and Móglaí Bap’s sharp lyricism.

Anthems and Activism

Songs like the title track “FENIAN” get straight to the hook. Spelling out the title gives the audience something to shout along to—a nod to the fact that KNEECAP is, ultimately, a phenomenal live act. The track boasts a higher BPM and a trickle of English built-in to encourage contextual understanding for non-Irish speakers.

While they always keep the audience in mind, KNEECAP’s message hits even harder on the smooth yet catchy track “Palestine.” Featuring verses in Arabic by Fawzi, it marks a powerful turning point in the album from which there is no turning back.

“Big Mad Mo” leans heavily into electronic territory with a punchy vocal line. Here, they don’t shy away from the Northern Irish stereotypes placed upon them. Instead, they call them out on top of a highly danceable beat. Similarly, “An Ra” starts with a scratchy sample of the national anthem before diving into house-electronic territory. The track utilizes a consistent electric rhythm behind bouncy vocals that highlight the dance-heavy nature of their genre blending.

On “Gael Phonics”, they take a straight shot at the Duolingo bird. The track serves as a direct commentary on language politics in Ireland. It taunts the listener to get more involved in learning Irish through pointed lyrics, all while delivering a sonic backdrop reminiscent of early 50 Cent.

A Poetic Conclusion

Closer “Irish Goodbye” proves it’s not all drugs and court cases but there’s some coverage of mental health as well. It is a beautiful feature with Kae Tempest and really speaks to Móglaí Baps’ experience with his mum’s mental health. They tackle the reality of suicide like much of their other music – head on. The subdued track with a keyboard driven melody and relaxed beats further emphasizes the tenderness of the topic whilst adding further dimension to the record. The choice to end the record this way is poetic, as it sums up parts of life often swept under the rug and KNEECAP do anything but.