The latest debutantes from The Richter Collective's seemingly bottomless pool of incredibly accomplished musicians, Enemies are four Kilcoole natives with a lot to prove.
Comparisons to local heroes The Redneck Manifesto are inevitable and actually, largely justified. Both groups specialise in swoonsome, lyric-free rock. And yes, We've Been Talking does, in places, sound remarkably similar to the aforementioned's March release Friendship. Still, Enemies have been playing delicate post-punk in small gin joints around Ireland, the UK and Japan for about three years now and there's definitely a sound that's distinctly “them”.
There are lots of dreamy melodies but Enemies are by no means an easy-listening outfit. The seven-minute epic 'Creamist' ends with a decidedly hardcore flourish, while the LP's most thrilling track, 'Fierce Pit Bosses', carries a sneaky funk underbelly.
'Nag Champa' is as lush a guitar tune as you'll find, while album closer 'Morse Code' – an upbeat military march – is an altogether different breed of punk. However, it all fits in neatly under the Enemies umbrella. Throughout, the Wicklow lads flash their nifty musicianship, while never being grandiose or overbearing.
For all that, We've Been Talking isn't especially memorable. The riffs won't fester in your head. You won't be humming 'Piano' on the bus and, lovely though it is, 'Backaches and Cardigans' is in little danger of being playlisted on mainstream radio.
Still, with a mess of intricate riffs, clever tempo changes and even the odd moment of hard rock stomp, Enemies have created something that's lovely in places. And you know what? We've got one hell of an instrumental scene here. It's time to applaud...