Posted by Exactly one year to the day from their most recent and biggest release, ‘Nothing Is True & Everything Is Possible’, British rock four-piece Enter Shikari deliver an acoustic-led companion collection titled ‘Moratorium (Broadcasts From The Interruption)’, spanning various home studio sessions and acoustic performances that the quartet recorded during throughout 2020 and early 2021, teasing gentle nostalgia and raw ferocity in equal amounts.
Opening with a drastically reworked, at-home version of ‘The Dreamer’s Hotel’ taken from critically acclaimed ‘Nothing Is True & Everything Is Possible’, the album which according to the band offers snippets of the “the best & most interesting” performances from their widespread repertoire of online performances, sways seamlessly between powerful adaptations of previous releases including ‘Rat Race’, taken from the EP of the same name, and soft, feel-good alternatives like ‘Stop The Clocks’.
Where the dizzying energy of ‘Crossing The Rubicon’ and the catchy beats of ‘Warm Smiles Do Not Make You Welcome Here’, urges listeners to get up and dance, the soaring, orchestral feel of stand-out offering ‘Heroes’, is a balm on the soul with its emotive vocals led by melodic guitar-led instrumentals. The 16-track production which delivers both at-home and acoustic cuts of various tracks, ping-pongs through a journey reminiscent of the tough year the world has had; soothing at times on offerings like ‘T.I.N.A’ but urgent, foreboding on others like ‘THE GREAT UNKNOWN’.
From the atmospheric yet energetic styling of ‘Anaethetist’ to the minimalistic, slow-build soundscape of another highlight ‘the pressure’s on’, the album – which also includes two special solo acoustic performances recorded by Reynolds, accompanied by Bulgaria’s Sofia Session Orchestra – was born from a need for contact and connectivity during lockdown and most definitely feels like a time capsule of swirling soundscapes that are as traditional as they are experimental.
Overflowing with versatile artistry and strong emotions that dip high and low from one moment to the next, ‘Moratorium (Broadcasts From The Interruption)’, comes from a time of isolation and therefore is reminiscent of a comforting companion filling a gaping hole in our hearts and lives.
7/10
Words: Malvika Padin
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