KNEECAP - Fine Art (2024) [Hi-Res]

Kneecap publicly hyper-focus on human rights, and even more so, a conscious and straightforward disgust with authority that permeates their music. They have a single banned from Irish language radio, have been condemned by a leader of the South Belfast Democratic Unionist Party, and they've received the requisite online nonsense for open support of Palestine. They pulled out of SXSW 2024 just ahead of performances when they learned the list of sponsors included Raytheon, an American defense contractor and war profiteer. All this to say, they back up their full-throated political beliefs.

But beyond the stances, they truly believe in the forward movement of Fine Art. More than just a name of the album, Kneecap wishes the world to spend less time pilfering one another and fixating on power and instead focus on viewing and parsing the artistic expressions that surround them. It's no more apparent than on the title track where the band trade off bars in English and Irish before a news clip features their protest of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge where they unveiled a BRITS OUT mural and called it "Fine Art" during a show. They sample the newscaster's pompous description of the mural—proof nothing is above their sarcastic ire.

Of course it is nearly impossible, lyrically, to focus on one specific idea on a long rap record. Kneecap fill gaps on the 18-song album by pontificating on the hardships faced by those rejecting the system. "Better Way to Live" describes hard times and even harder nights after a skit detailing cocaine use. "If there's a better way to live I gotta have it" says it all—that it's less a plea for help than it is a known truth. "Love Making" is a classic track about getting busy, as it were, with an R&B hook over a synthy dance beat. Irish folk flute samples delight while the chaps admit what they are on "Drug Dealin Pagans." "Harrow Road" switches the tempo mid song to grow more and more drill-like before Jelani Blackman jumps in with deep-voiced, grandiose proclamations. Kneecap openly tout partying away the pain throughout the record while wryly knowing it's a short jaunt from depression to addict (and from activist to depression).

The lyrical derivations from their beliefs add a level of personality to Kneecap's political machinations. The dance music they cull for production informs the listener that despite the threatening nature of their voices and personas, they aim for fun. Their rowdy performances back that up. Fine Art, as a title, sarcastically points out that many folks still, despite longevity and popularity, do not see rap as an art form. Kneecap may not change their minds but their full-throated support of the people's right to enjoyment beyond the system's grasp will at least add wonderful new art to the proceedings. Clever move, that. © Jeffery Laughlin

Tracklist:
1.01 - KNEECAP, Radie Peat - 3CAG (3:09)
1.02 - KNEECAP - Fine Art (2:19)
1.03 - KNEECAP - Interlude: Making Headlines (0:27)
1.04 - KNEECAP - I bhFiacha Linne (3:07)
1.05 - KNEECAP - Interlude: Never Gets A Round (0:24)
1.06 - KNEECAP - I'm Flush (2:56)
1.07 - KNEECAP - Interlude: State Of Ya (0:14)
1.08 - KNEECAP, Grian Chatten - Better Way To Live (2:57)
1.09 - KNEECAP - Sick In The Head (2:32)
1.10 - KNEECAP, Nino - Love Making (2:28)
1.11 - KNEECAP - Interlude: Amhrán na Scadán (0:25)
1.12 - KNEECAP - Drug Dealin Pagans (2:34)
1.13 - KNEECAP - Interlude: KNEECAP Chaps (0:38)
1.14 - Jelani Blackman, KNEECAP - Harrow Road (3:46)
1.15 - KNEECAP - Parful (3:19)
1.16 - KNEECAP - Rhino Ket (3:08)
1.17 - KNEECAP - Interlude: Last Orders (0:16)
1.18 - KNEECAP - Way Too Much (3:18)