More about: 1Enter Shikari

Chris Batten. Rob Rolfe. Rory C. Rou Reynolds.It may have taken 20 years, but it feels like the world’s greatest crossover act, Enter Shikari, are finally getting their flowers.

Sure, St Albans’ finest have long had their legions of fans across the globe, but it’s always felt - considering the consistent greatness of their output and their ability to mould elements of metal, dance, pop, grime and a multitude of other genres into cohesion – that they have been one of Britain’s more underrated bands. Thankfully this seems to have all changed, as the genre-bending quartet are finally getting the recognition and popularity they’ve long deserved. Their latest release A Kiss For The Whole World earned them their first ever #1 on the UK Albums Chart at the seventh time of trying back in April, they’ve just recently announced their biggest ever UK Arena tour for February next year and they capped it all off with a triumphant headline set at Slam Dunk Festival.

With this in mind, there’s arguably no better time to run through their extensive discography and rank all their songs from worst to best. Now when we say all their songs, that doesn’t include live recordings, remixes (sorry Shikari Sound System!), special guest features or even some of their less significant intros/interludes/outros/reprises. However, every song from their seven studio albums, all their standalone singles and B-sides are fair game. What’s more, Enter Shikari love themselves a two-parter so where appropriate, we’ve combined these into one placement.

So, are you staying awake for the lift off? Good – here’s the ranking:

92. 'The Revolt of the Atoms' (The Spark, 2017)

Unfortunately when doing any sort of tier list, there’s always one unfortunate soul that has to come last and, in this case, it’s “The Revolt of the Atoms.” Whilst it’s not necessarily a bad track with its ominous aura, some quite awesome guitar distortion and an intriguing/batshit sci-fi narrative about atoms joining together to wipe out humanity, the chorus melody and repetitive “everything is crumbling” outro do get quite grating after you’ve heard it a few times.

91. 'Waltzing Off The Face Of The Earth (II. Piangevole)' (Nothing Is True & Everything Is Possible, 2020)

The closing track for their sixth studio album. With fluttering orchestration, distant echoey vocals and swansong-like guitars, it fulfils its purpose nicely on the record but is ultimately insignificant when compared to the other songs in their catalogue.

90. 'Kickin’ Back on the Surface of Your Cheek / Keep It On Ice' (The Zone, 2007)

This two-part B-side to 'Anything Can Happen In The Next Half Hour' carries the nostalgic pleasantries of that early Shikari sound, but still feels very much like an off-cut when compared with other tracks from that period.

89. 'Wall' (Common Dreads, 2009)

Now there is a lot to like about this Common Dreads cut – the chorus, the classic duelling harmonies and a quite engaging third act. However, I can’t quite get past the opening verse where frontman Rou Reynolds proceeds to describe all the things you’d associate with a wall, in what is quite a strained metaphor for oppressive state control involving pasting wallpaper, screwing shelves, fixing skirting boards and hanging tinsel round paintings at Christmas time. I’m sure he also cringes slightly looking back on this one.

88. 'Jonny Sniper' (Take To The Skies, 2007)

Ok, put down the torches and pitchforks for a minute and hear me out. This is objectively the worst song off their debut album, one of the weakest in their canon and there is a reason they don’t play it live anymore despite that one guy in the crowd (or on Twitter) who always asks for it anyway. You’re still mad it’s 88th aren’t you? Then may I suggest calming down by listening to some of their much better pop efforts found on their later records like The Sparkand A Kiss For The Whole World? No? Ok moving swiftly on…

87. 'Fanfare For The Conscious Man' (Common Dreads, 2009)

Given the subject matter and the positive stance against senseless wars and violence at the heart of the track, it does seem a bit unfair to have this Common Dreads closer this far back. However whilst lyrically it holds up, sonically it doesn’t quite all come together and ends up feeling somewhat clunky in its execution.

86. 'Acid Nation' (The Zone, 2007)

Another B-side this time to the aforementioned 'Jonny Sniper.' Whilst it is better than the A-side, it carries similar issues to that track where it just can’t compete with similar tracks from that era.

85. 'Zzzonked' (Common Dreads, 2009)

Ok so this is probably another low ranking for which I’m probably going to catch some heat. Don’t worry, I am fully aware this Common Dreads cut remains a revered cult classic amongst the Shikari faithful, with this song even their regular live set closer at one point in time. Whilst I can certainly see the appeal, the track is just too much of a cacophonous mess for my ears to enjoy - and it’s my list so you’re going to have to just deal with it.

84. All Eyes On The Saint (Tribalism, 2010)

Easily the best of the B-sides, this one originally appeared alongside Common Dreads’ single 'Juggernauts.' Paying tribute to their hometown of St. Albans, it has the perfect balance of trancey synths, thrashing guitars and atmospheric breakdowns. Probably one that could’ve been ranked higher on another day but it’s landed here.

83. You might also like...

    The Brian Jonestown Massacre reveal new album is on the way

    Enter Shikari Return with Brand New Single and Album Announcement

    'Thē Kĭñg' (Nothing Is True & Everything Is Possible, 2020)

Rou Reynolds presents a tongue-in-cheek look at the lame nature of revenge amidst some bass-heavy synths and regal horns, with some quite cutting lines such as “I grab my sword and swing, but I go and pull my hamstring.” That said it never quite takes off as you expect it should, instead maintaining the same base level all the way through.

82. 'The Appeal & The Mindsweep II' (The Mindsweep, 2015)

You know what they say – the sequel is never quite as good as the original. Despite closing their fourth album with plenty of panache and jazzy horn sequences, it never escapes the shadow of its earlier namesake. It does however highlight one of the joys of listening to Shikari’s music which is all the easter eggs they leave nodding back to other songs in their discography, with this one overtly calling back to THAT classic in the lyrics.

81. 'There’s A Price On Your Head; (The Mindsweep, 2015)

Straight back to The Mindsweep for this aggressive demolition of class structures that sonically sounds like 00s metal legends System of A Down and Drowning Pool having a screaming match with each other. That’s obviously a good thing by the way!

80. 'Supercharge (featuring Big Narstie)' (Supercharge, 2017)

One of Shikari’s more underrated singles that I’m sure more than a few fans have probably already forgotten. With a show stealing guest appearance from UK rapper and TV personality Big Narstie, a catchy chorus and a wicked central guitar riff, it’s worth revisiting if you’ve not heard it for a while as there’s plenty to enjoy about this one.

79. 'The Void Stares Back (with WARGASM)' (The Void Stares Back, 2022)

Another standalone single, this time a collaboration from last year with the brilliantly named British electro-rock duo, WARGASM. It even recently won Best Single at the Heavy Music Awards and it’s easy to see why, with its menacing beat, more than a few shades to The Prodigy and some welcome metalcore energy. It’s an enjoyable enough track, but maybe never quite hits the same heights as some of their other singles.

78. 'We Can Breathe In Space' (Tribalism, 2010)

I’ve got a particular soft spot for this one. Shikari’s first post-album standalone single and it’s got some awesome pop punk style riffs going on alongside the celestial electronics and Rou’s vocal acrobatics. Nostalgia aside however, it does sadly sound a bit dated these days – I still love it though.

77. 'Havoc A / Havoc B' (Common Dreads, 2009)

A duo of interludes I’ve combined here as it’s unfair to separate them when they are essentially two different - but equally as good - versions of the same song. Both centred around the memorably defiant refrain “The lions are at the door and we ain’t taking orders from snakes no more”, Part A is a slick, reverberating dub track which is then escalated to the next level on Part B, with even more warbling electronics and harsher, more vehemently aggressive vocals.

76. 'Crossing The Rubicon' (Nothing Is True & Everything Is Possible, 2020)

It’s a testament to Shikari’s greatness that a song as fun and well-constructed as 'Crossing The Rubicon' is this far back in the rankings. Using Julius Caesar as a metaphor, it is a message of encouragement, inspiring listeners to quit worrying about failure and instead take positive steps forward. It’s a message they get across well here but arguably drive it home better on other tracks (more on that later!).

75. 'Hectic' (Common Dreads, 2009)

This one is a straight-up dance banger with a lot of heart, as Rou Reynolds reflects on the band’s post-Take To The Skies success and the quartet’s own lifelong friendship with one another. With the lyrics painting childhood memories of playing Golden Axe on the Sega Mega Drive and drinking endless cider in abandoned car parks with your mates, I’d be lying if I said I didn’t relate heavily to this one.

74. 'Goldfĭsh ~' (A Kiss For The Whole World, 2023)

In many ways this is the spiritual reboot of 'Wall' from Common Dreads, with the song carrying a similar message of feeling trapped, helpless and at the mercy of a higher controlling power. The growth in their songwriting from Common Dreads to now is evident however, as the goldfish metaphor works much better than the home improvement/DIY angle. It’s a bit of an earworm too, with it difficult to not get caught on the end of the multiple catchy hooks throughout. Hey, you could even say, we are the bait and they are the fishermen, get it!? Ok moving on again…

73. 'Rat Race' (Rat Race, 2013)

Another single and the title track from their mini-EP of the same name. On this one Shikari do a great job of mirroring the frantic pace of the capitalist charge being attacked in the song’s lyrics with the equally chaotic instrumentation that surrounds the words. A typically anthemic chorus too, as Rou Reynolds calls out “We just hold on for an exit.”

72. 'Bull (with Cody Frost)' (Bull, 2022)

The second of the band’s great collaborations from last year, this time with YouTube sensation and former The Voice contestant, Cody Frost. This one’s a straight-up slice of brutal heartbreak wrapped up in thumping synths and a big pop chorus (“you’re a bull and my mind is a China shop”). The star of the show is Cody and Rou’s vocals though, with the differing styles perfectly complimenting one another.

71. 'Step Up' (Common Dreads, 2009)

Shikari have never been afraid to confront global problems head on in their music and this Common Dreads cut encourages listeners to stop hiding away and instead unlock the activist within them. It’s hard not to get hyped up and motivated either, thanks to their signature blend of energetic synths and heavy rock guitars.

70. 'Take My Country Back' (The Spark, 2017)

The most overtly political song on their fifth studio album. With lyrical callbacks to Take To The Skies track 'OK Time For Plan B', the song attacks social media’s influence on the current tribalistic political landscape, with the chorus a specific reference to the EU Referendum and Brexit. 

69. 'The Bank of England' (The Mindsweep, 2015)

Here Shikari tear into the well-known fact that 1% of the global wealth is held by just a few individuals - a fact that was true in 2015 and is sadly still true now. It’s not a defiant track though, as the gentle melody contrasted with the violent anti-capitalist lyrics (“the invisible hand no longer guides, it chokes”) gives off more a feeling of apathy and helplessness towards the subject matter. Almost like they know change is needed, but it seems an impossible task to shift a deeply entrenched global economic system.

68. 'Giant Pacific Octopus (I don’t know you anymore) / Giant Pacific Octopus Swirling Off Into Infinity…' (A Kiss For The Whole World, 2023)

The two-part closer to their most recent album, this one looks at the flip-flopping of ideas and personalities against a backdrop of soaring guitars and a huge chorus. Once again there are easter eggs found amongst the lyrics here, with callbacks to both The Spark and Nothing Is True… in the line “I went to live outside to find myself, but when I found truth it was something else.”

67. 'Modern Living…. / apøcaholics anonymøus (Main Theme in B Minor)' (Nothing Is True & Everything Is Possible, 2020)

I’m sure when Shikari wrote this two-parter for their sixth album they probably had no idea that it would become so synonymous with lockdown living for many of their fans. But released in 2020 at the height of the COVID pandemic, there was arguably no song that rang truer at that time than this one. Beginning with the line “everything you love is about to disappear” and featuring the nursery rhyme-like refrain of “We’re Apocaholics, drinking gin and tonics - lying in the flowers, counting down the hours”, I can’t help but be immediately transported back to that strange moment in time whenever I hear it.

66. 'Hoodwinker' (Hoodwinker, 2016)

A brutally heavy, atheist anthem. Whilst many fans believed the song was initially about the ongoing refugee crisis, particularly as the music video features the four band members stranded on a small boat, it soon became clear that the song was (ironically) not what it seemed. The song is actually likening the idea of a “God” to The Wizard of Oz, observing how religious institutions can limit the idea of free thought to get what they want out of their followers.

65. 'The One True Colour' (The Mindsweep, 2015)

Sticking with that anti-religion theme, here Shikari question religious beliefs - not through complete dismissal - but through presenting the mysteries of the universe as the thing humans should be exploring during their short time on earth instead. Gorgeous instrumentation, poignant lyrics and plenty of substance, there’s not much wrong with this one.

64. 'Pack of Thieves' (A Flash Flood of Colour, 2012)

A little-known fact but this track actually runs deep into Shikari folklore, with the opening part of the song written all the way back in 2003. It was even one of the vocal harmony parts used to audition guitarist Rory C! Eventually seeing the light of day on their third album, it definitely has that early-era feel to it with the song seemingly about the band’s own motivations behind making music (“Don’t be fooled into thinking that a small group of friends cannot change the world.”)

63. 'Stop The Clocks' (Stop The Clocks, 2019)

Just when fans thought the band had reached max pop mode with some of the cuts on 2017’s The Spark, the Shikari boys turned around and released this standalone single. So unapologetically catchy with a good amount of Queen-like operatic flair, it is Shikari at their most radio friendly. Whilst that means it isn’t for everyone, I quite like it!

62. '{The Dreamer’s Hotel}' (Nothing Is True & Everything Is Possible, 2020)

This lead single for their sixth album has a relentless urgency to it, with a noticeable contrast between the aesthetics of both the verses and the chorus. This is of course deliberate, as the verses depict the anger and outrage happening outside the hotel, intended to represent the global population too busy fighting with one another. Meanwhile (as the song goes), the hotel itself represents a place where people can gather to dream and push humanity to its potential. It’s a bit of a convoluted metaphor but the song’s palpable energy is more than enough to carry it.

61. 'Leap Into The Lightning / Feed Yøur Søul' (A Kiss For The Whole World, 2023)

We mentioned earlier when discussing 'Crossing The Rubicon' that the band had several tracks that drive home that encouraging message to be brave and bold even better than that one – well, this is indeed one of those songs. An immediate highlight off their most recent outing, it’s an incredibly infectious mix of powerful lyrical imagery, dubby instrumentation and a massive singalong chorus (“Now just sail your ships into Bermuda”).

60. 'Elegy For Extinction; (Nothing Is True & Everything Is Possible, 2020)

I know you’re probably sat there thinking right now that an instrumental interlude shouldn’t be above some of the previously mentioned tracks in the ranking order, but just you hear me out.

The fact that Rou Reynolds composed this classical piece himself deserves significant praise and recognition, with the idea being to create a track that addresses the climate emergency purely through music alone. He does an incredible job meeting this aim too, as the grand, resplendent orchestration triumphantly bounces along seemingly without a care in the world, before then nosediving into dramatic catastrophe and notes of alarming danger two thirds of the way through. It really is brilliant and does a great job of highlighting the incredible diversity of Rou Reynolds’ inspiring songwriting abilities.

59. 'Stalemate' (A Flash Flood of Colour, 2012)

A song that sadly feels even more relevant now in 2023 than it did back in 2012. A rare mostly acoustic number, it sees the band look on in dismay at the profitability being made off war and global atrocities. The song reaches peak poignancy towards the back end, as Rou Reynolds repeatedly sings “I’ll live out this fantasy” over sparse piano chords.

58. 'Search Party' (A Flash Flood of Colour, 2012)

This third album cut is a hugely anthemic and empowering track about humanity banding together to overcome the problems we face. Arguably the best moment of the song arrives around two minutes in as the band erupt into some heavy riffage as Rou sings “All hands on deck, we’ve got to scrub these fuckers out!”

57. 'Hello Tyrannosaurus, Meet Tyrannicide' (A Flash Flood of Colour, 2012)

Sticking with the band’s third album, this one isn’t a million miles away thematically from 'Stalemate' but sonically it’s at the other end of the spectrum. Dread-filled with thrashing guitars and aggressive screamed vocals, it is another song that rings even more true in 2023 than it did a decade ago. It is a harsh warning to the powerful toxic men trying to conquer the world that they are still at the mercy of planetary evolution, summed up in the line “Nature is the only Dictator that I respect and obey.”

56. 'Dead Wood; (A Kiss For The Whole World, 2023)

Shikari seemingly getting in on the Hollywood trend of revisiting the Pinocchio story but of course doing it in their own unique way with this string-tinged adaptation. With more lyrical callbacks to other songs and some metaphorical notions seemingly touching on empty love and even sexual impotence (admittedly I could be reading into “Dead Wood” the wrong way), it is simply majestic in its orchestral theatrics.

55. 'It Hurts' (A Kiss For The Whole World, 2023)

Sticking with their most recent album for this arena-ready single, but unlike “Dead Wood” there is no hidden meanings here. The track is openly about the importance of perseverance, as Rou sings “Failure is an odd treasure, it powers the future endeavour.” Despite only being a few months old it already feels like one of the most anthemic tracks in Shikari’s catalogue. What makes it more incredible is the fact Rou has previously stated that the melody, chords and chorus all came to him in a dream, with him having to record it all down into a 3AM voice note before he forgot. That man’s incessant creativity doesn’t switch off it seems!

54. 'Live Outside' (The Spark, 2017)

Now if you are thinking this song should’ve broken the Top 50, let me start by saying there was a time when this song could have easily ended up dead last. You see this lead single for The Spark just never quite resonated upon its initial release and the chorus I admittedly found quite irritating from the off. But then, lockdown happened.

Suddenly the song took on a whole new lease of life, capped off with hearing the band close on this song in their first gigs post-lockdown in what was an utterly joyous and purely cathartic moment. As it turns out, it’s not so bad after all!

53. 'Slipshod' (Slipshod, 2015)

Enter Shikari unleash their inner squawker on this monster of a standalone single. As great as the song is, it’s really all about the animated music video that goes with it, pulled together by Peter McAdams who previously worked on popular 90s cartoon, Ren & Stimpy. It sees the band visit a restaurant called Le Snoot, kick off at the management there and generally just cause utter havoc. Brilliantly hilarious, it’s easy to see why it’s become such a fan favourite.

52. 'The Paddington Frisk' (Rat Race, 2013)

This one is a good reminder that a song doesn’t have to be overly long in order to make a big impact. At just one minute and twenty-three seconds long it is Shikari’s shortest single by some distance, but the song’s brutally bleak lyrics coupled with a thunderous climax is more than enough to keep me coming back for more spins a decade later.

51. 'Shinrin-Yoku' (The Spark, 2017)

For those that don’t know, Shinrin-Yoku is another name for nature therapy where spending time out in the natural world can help relieve stress and improve one’s physical and mental health. The song’s gentle instrumentation compliments this theme perfectly, as uplifting trumpets, plucking guitars and soothing synths all surround Rou’s vocals as he sings “my lungs fill with air, I feel supercharged now.”

50. 'Anything Can Happen In The Next Half Hour' (Take To The Skies, 2007)

Into the Top 50 then and… *Temporarily grows back emo fringe, pulls it down so it covers half my face and takes a big deep breath* HIS EYES ARE LOCKED ON HER, HER EYES ARE FIXED ELSEWHER-sorry, I’m getting all caught up in the nostalgia!

Basically, if you were an alt-teenager in the mid-00s (guilty!), this one was most certainly (and probably still is) for you. One of their two highest charting singles and other than THAT song which we are due to come to later, it is probably the track most likely to have introduced you to Enter Shikari back in those glorious early days. Anyway, where were we: WE’VE HAD, THISSSS DATE, FROM THE BEGINNI- Yes, yes, alright. Back to the countdown!

49. 'Tribalism' (Tribalism, 2010)

Whilst we have already seen that Shikari have songs that focus in on the destructive nature of religion and capitalism, and others where they encourage communities to group together to activate change, this is one of few songs where they bring all those core messages together into one huge anthem. Lyrically the verses are razor-sharp and the provocative chorus of “What’s a thought without a voice to voice it? It’s just a thought” really hits home. Another one of their tracks that arguably resonates more now than it did upon release.

48. 'Myopia' (The Mindsweep, 2015)

Climate change is a recurring topic for Shikari and this Mindsweep cut may be one of their most imaginative yet hard-hitting tracks on the subject. Inspired by George Orwell’s classic novel Animal Farm, all the main characters in the narrative of the song are cleverly animals from the arctic region. With the emperor penguin one of the prominent figures, he screams at humanity in the song’s climax “They’re living in denial (of science), they’re happy to defile (silence).”

47. 'THE GREAT UNKNOWN' (Nothing Is True & Everything Is Possible, 2020)

The emphatic and ultra-ravey opener to their sixth studio album, the song dives blindly into the fear of uncertainty and what is yet to come. Nothing Is True… would be the first album solely produced by Rou Reynolds and if you need an example of just what a great job he did, you only need to listen to this song. It also features one of their most memorable opening lines: “Is this a new beginning or are we close to the end?”

46. 'Gandhi Mate, Gandhi' (A Flash Flood of Colour, 2012)

“CALM DOWN, CALM THE FUCK DOWN - Gandhi, remember Gandhi.” Words we can all live by!

Extremely heavy and ravey in equal measure, this behemoth of a track takes the inspiration and energy of the Occupy movement and channels it into this chaotic, anger-fuelled tour de force. A huge live favourite, the pinnacle comes around the midway point with Rou Reynolds putting “the call out to the front line” and transmitting “emergency frequencies” over Rory C’s fast riffing.

45. 'The Jester' (Common Dreads, 2009)

You guys can keep your “Zzzonked” I’ll happily take “The Jester” from Common Dreads instead. Beginning with some jazz flute that would make even Ron Burgundy proud, the song soon lives up to its name by turning into a carnival for the ears thanks to a circus of hard electronic synths manically bouncing up and down. Oh, and the song is about cannibalism of all things – I mean, what’s not to love?!

44. '(Pls) Set Me On Fire' (A Kiss For The Whole World, 2023)

The wonderful lead single for their most recent album, it carries all that original Shikari DNA but with the additional production value and songwriting growth granted from being decades into the game. Filled with passion, angst and a desire for creativity, it has some beautiful lyrical imagery at the heart of it, including what would become the album’s cover art (“Be my fire lily, on the blackened ground”).

43. 'Sssnakepit' (A Flash Flood of Colour, 2012)

The first single for their third album, everything about this song is huge including that main dubstep beat, Rory C’s incredible riffing and that big singalong chorus. Like many tracks we’ve seen already, it’s another single with a positive central message about carrying on when you’ve been knocked back. Best experienced at full volume, that way you can really hear Rou’s hilariously bad Louis Armstrong impression in the song’s outro.

42. 'No Sssweat' (Take To The Skies, 2007)

Keeping a Sssimilar theme going, this is sonically the ancestral father to 'Sssnakepit' with big riffs once again colliding with rave-starting electronics. Lyrically this is an aggressive takedown of worker exploitation and child labour, with Chris Batten’s vocals on the chorus (“Not even salt can make your hands taste good, I'm still crunching your lifeline”) a particular highlight.

41. 'Constellations' (A Flash Flood of Colour, 2012)

There’s only a handful of songs in Shikari’s catalogue that will get you choked up and have you reaching for the tissues, but this is most certainly one of them. The grand finale to the band’s third album is a deeply heartfelt track, which acts as a love letter to love, peace and sustainability. With sweeping strings and twinkling guitars, it’s an utter triumph.

40. 'The Spark / The Sights' (The Spark, 2017)

With so much focus on wider socio-political issues in their music, when Rou Reynolds does write about something more personal it always ends up striking a chord. Once again using imagery of the cosmos as his muse, this opening sequence to their fifth album was written in the wake of Rou’s break-up from his then girlfriend and is an emotional yet hope-filled piece about liberation, new beginnings and the eternal quest for love.

39. 'No Sleep Tonight' (Common Dreads, 2009)

Believe it or not, this is another song about the climate crisis but the message is so subtly hidden away in the big anthemic chorus, you probably wouldn’t realise. Essentially the song is about the disbelief that climate deniers and the people funding this rhetoric can sleep peacefully at night, knowing the dark repercussions of their actions. So, whilst on the surface it may seem like one of Shikari’s more straight-forward rock songs, there’s still a powerful message at the crux of it.

38. 'Redshift' (Redshift, 2016)

A standalone single packed start to finish with melodic hooks, rich instrumentation and a palpably immense gratitude for human existence at the heart - there’s really lots to admire here. Once again the mysteries of the universe are the vessels through which Reynolds paints his picture, this time describing the miracle of life which has resulted in every atom on earth emerging out of distant astronomical events.

37. 'Today Won’t Go Down In History' (Take To The Skies, 2007)

One of only two songs on their debut that are sung with completely clean vocals, this has to be up there as one of the most underrated songs in the band’s entire discography. With cinematic guitars, soft vocal harmonies and a rush of euphoric synths and drums that all beautifully collide together into a climatic swell of sound, it is simply spine-tingling to behold.

36. 'Never Let Go of The Microscope' (The Mindsweep, 2015)

The way this song is so exquisitely constructed is really something to behold. From the atmospheric instrumentation to Rou’s sharp delivery on the rapped verses, the way it transitions from soft falsetto vocals to harsh screamed ones, to the pensive pauses and the twinkly music-box-esque outro, it’s just utterly mesmerising. In terms of the meaning behind the track, it’s all born out of a quote from Ancient Greek philosopher Socrates: “The unexamined life is not worth living.” I’ll leave you to stew on that one all day now!

35. 'Waltzing Off The Face of the Earth (I. Crescendo)' (Nothing Is True & Everything Is Possible, 2020)

The spiritual title track to the band’s sixth album is not only their most operatic but also one of their hardest hitting lyrically. On several occasions Rou Reynolds will leave your jaw agape as he delivers lines like “There’s been a shooting in a Walmart, so put guns on every shopping cart” and “There’s dead kids on the beach, as Bigoted parents now decide what teacher’s teach.” The irony is it’s the shocking honest in the lyrics that leaves you reeling, as the musical backdrop to Rou’s prose builds into a huge swell, before then tumbling away amidst some jazzy horn-playing. Powerful and provocative, it’s a testament to Shikari’s catalogue that it’s only finished 35th.

34. 'A Kiss For The Whole World x' (A Kiss For The Whole World, 2023)

“Be embraced, billions.” The opening title track from their most recent album is an instant Shikari classic. From the moment Rou’s trumpet blasts into your ears, you can’t help but feel the warmth and positivity radiating out of the song, even when lyrically it plays out like a party happening during the apocalypse. If it was up to me, it would now be their live set closer going forward, as it has all the elements required for sending fans off into the sunset with a big smile on their face.

33. 'The Pressure’s On' (Nothing Is True & Everything Is Possible, 2020)

Another more personal track from Rou, this one wouldn’t have sounded out of place on The Spark with its poppy melody, soft vocal harmonies and emotional heart. It rides that emotional wave for the duration of the track, with the core of the song dealing with the pressures from society and loved ones to take a certain path, even though you might not be ready or want that for yourself. Possibly one of the simplest songs in their repertoire but also one of the most moving.

32. 'Antwerpen' (Common Dreads, 2009)

The first official song to be released from their sophomore album, as it was made available as a free download “on the iTunes” – anyone remember that or just old timers like me? Anyway, this song sees the Shikari boys take an old Belgian folktale about a limb-taking giant and turn it into this absolute barnstormer. Featuring multiple beat switches, it transitions effortlessly from full-throttle metal with gargantuan riffs to a dizzying display of earth-shattering electronica, complete with an earworm “Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na” (have I missed one?) chorus.

31. 'Gap In The Fence' (Common Dreads, 2009)

The number of acoustic tracks in Enter Shikari’s back catalogue you can easily count on one hand, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing because, when you do eventually stumble upon one, it just feels even more special. This song is a prime example, with Rou openly dreaming of everyone grouping together to plot an escape, getting out of the confines of our current systems and making it through to a better world. The quartet do a fantastic job of mirroring the song’s narrative in the sonic aesthetics too, transitioning from a bare-bones, stripped-back opening into a jubilant, synth-soaked finale.

30. 'Arguing With Thermometers' (A Flash Flood of Colour, 2012)

Of all Shikari’s tracks about the climate emergency, this is the most in-your-face takedown. Unleashing a cyclone of fury on climate change deniers and profiteering oil companies, the song is only improved alongside the hilariously zany Anchorman-inspired video, where Rou Reynolds takes on the role of a reporter named Phillis McCleveland. Quite sad that this song is over a decade old now and is still so relevant.

29. 'Warm Smiles Do Not Make You Welcome Here' (A Flash Flood of Colour, 2012)

The spiritual title track to their third album, Rory C takes the spotlight on this one with his incredible guitar work the main driving force alongside some reverberating synths and Rob Rolfe’s typically excellent percussion. This is one of their proud independent artist moments, with this song all about their frustrations with the blandness and emptiness of executive-produced modern music. Ironically, one of their purest rock songs in many ways but thankfully still with that distinctive Shikari flair.

28. 'Rabble Rouser' (The Spark, 2017)

Sticking on that same theme of disappointment in the lack of originality and progression in certain music scenes, but this time turning the aggression up to 11. It’s a terrorizing behemoth of a track, featuring one of the filthiest beats in theirs and anyone else’s arsenal as Rou comes for beige, robotic rockstars like a possessed maniac. With incinerating bars championing their own approach such as “What’s your criteria? Complete hysteria, decibels so maxed you can yell out your deep secrets, nobody’s gonna hear you”, it’s easy to see why it’s such a live favourite. A banger in every sense!

27. 'Labyrinth' (Take To The Skies, 2007)

This song perfectly captures the joy of their debut album, in which they made the blending of heavy metal and all-out trance feel so seamless and natural. From the moment those synths start popping off alongside some big rock riffs, you just know you’re in for a ride. Lyrically the song is quite fun too, looking cynically at the art of going “on-the-pull”, likening the quest for connection on a night out to navigating and escaping a disorientating maze. Will they make it out? We hope they make it out.

26. 'T.I.N.A' (Nothing Is True & Everything Is Possible, 2020)

If you want to put on an Enter Shikari song that is guaranteed to cause euphoric limbs and just utter chaos, then this is it. THERE. IS. NO. ALTERNATIVE. Actually, there are alternatives as you can see but nevertheless: this is a certified bopper about restricting free thought. It’s also another track that’s improved when experienced alongside the music video, which features the band as super disturbing, blob-like hands bouncing around all over the place. Hilariously weird but also your sleep paralysis demons coming to haunt your nightmares. Avoid those hands if you want to live!

25. 'Quelle Surprise' (Quelle Surprise, 2011)

From the moment those opening strings hit and those glitchy electronics cut in, you know you’re in for quite the auditory adventure. Originally intended to be the lead single off A Flash Flood of Colour, although it never made it onto that record it is easily as good as anything their third album has to offer. Anchored in the central refrain of “If you stand for nothing, you will fall for anything”, it’s another track where it was intended to be explicit for that period the time (in this case an “analysis of the human race in 2011 AD”), but sadly a lot of the lyrics still ring true today.

24. 'Return To Energiser' (Take To The Skies, 2007)

Simultaneously one of the heaviest and softest tracks on their ground-breaking debut. Starting out with punishing screams and guitars, things soon clear into a trance-ndent (see what I did there?!) moment of blissful ecstasy before Chris Batten and Rou Reynold’s goosebump-inducing vocal harmonies guide us back in for the smooth landing. Whilst it might not be their deepest song lyrically, there are few as sonically spellbinding and satisfying as this one, which is why it’s rightfully remained such a fan favourite through the years.

23. 'Common Dreads / Solidarity' (Common Dreads, 2009)

The opening sermon and title track to the band’s sophomore album, it was the perfect reintroduction for fans after Take To The Skies, carrying over with it many of their signature lyrical and sonic touchpoints up until that point. After a spoken word intro calling on everyone to unite, “Solidarity” bursts things into life with a dazzling shower of euphoric synths and thunderous metal riffs. The message of solidarity is then really driven home in the final moments with the eternal “and still we will be here, standing like statues” refrain, this time operatically sung by the band and a choir.

22. 'Jailbreak' (A Kiss For The Whole World, 2023)

If 'T.I.N.A' is an attack on those keeping your mind and freedom of expression held captive – including yourself - then 'Jailbreak' is all about the euphoria of breaking out of that prison cell. Without a doubt one of the biggest highlights off their most recent album and an immediate fan favourite it seems, the song has such an uplifting and liberating energy to it that you can’t help but get caught up in the sheer joy of it all. A special shout out to Rob Rolfe’s drumming on this one too, as he pushes the momentum perfectly in line with the breakout imagery being painted in the lyrics. Keep on running!

21. 'Torn Apart' (The Mindsweep, 2015)

If you’ve ever seen Enter Shikari live, you’ll know that Rou Reynolds is a fan of greeting the crowd as “homosapiens and carbon-based lifeforms.” This is the beautiful way in which he sees humanity, not as something that should be divided by race or creed, but as one singular people capable of incredible things when they bond together. With 'Torn Apart', Rou speaks of how the concept of separate races has held humanity back and kept us divided for years, despite biological questions over its actual existence. It’s a song that is also as sonically satisfying as it is lyrically powerful, boasting an opening riff that dates back to the band’s early origins in 2003, a delicate falsetto vocal from Rou, and a triumphant, synth-driven finale that will have you on your feet.

20. 'OK Time For Plan B' (Take To The Skies, 2007)

“THIS MEANS WAR!” The closing track (bar a final reprise) from their debut album, this is a ground shaking battle cry that once again sees them effortlessly blend two genres from opposite ends of the spectrum like it’s the most natural thing in the world. The star of the show though is the vocal performances, with Rou’s ear-piercing screams perfectly contrasted with Chris Batten’s soft, echoey harmonies. The breakdown that occurs around the three-minute mark is also one of the most blissful passages in their entire catalogue, which eventually explodes into a ferocious finale. The collision of the loud and the quiet that they do so well, as well as they’ve ever done it.

19. 'System… / …Meltdown' (A Flash Flood of Colour, 2012)

Any fan will tell you that Enter Shikari’s opening tracks for their albums always deliver and this is everything they do so well, all captured in one phenomenal two-part epic. Thematically similar to 'Torn Apart' with Rou breaking down the boundaries that divide us, but this time using a wonderful metaphor of a house built on the edge of a cliff with the ground now slowly eroding away underneath. Sonically spectacular, it has everything from a jittery string quartet to a seismic beat drop, as well as more earth-shattering reverberated electronics that bring the song’s climax to a boiling point. Demolition has never sounded this good.

18. 'Juggernauts' (Common Dreads, 2009)

Along with 'Anything Can Happen…' it remains their highest charting single to date and even made BBC Radio 1’s “A List” upon release - which is pretty much unheard of for them as a band. It’s easy to see why though, with its invigorating pop synths, several big singalong moments and some vintage heavier sections too. Despite the accidental commercial appeal, it’s still a quintessential Enter Shikari track and big fan favourite, with the lyrics attacking dominant corporations in the wake of a “Big Tesco” being planned for their hometown of St. Albans. Best Tesco-inspired song ever made? Almost definitely.

17. 'Mothership' (Take To The Skies, 2007)

There’s something in the air alright. Taking it right back to the beginning with this their first ever single, which is still just a monster slice of rave-metal. From the moment that introduction starts, and that glorious mix of spacey synths and roaring riffs kick in, I defy anyone – even if you’re not a fan of metal, dance or even Enter Shikari – to not absolutely lose your mind at what you’re hearing. It was a bolt of lightning (and a flash flood of colour) back in 2006 and it’s a unique sound that has remained quintessentially theirs now for nearly twenty years. When they started this crossover they must’ve been aiming for something completely new and fresh for the day, but instead they ended up making something that’s remained oddly timeless – incredible.

16. 'Anaesthetist' (The Mindsweep, 2015)

“You suck the blood of the afflicted.” Firstly, kudos and special props to Rou Reynolds for integrating the word “Anaesthetist” into a song with ease. Secondly, delivering a vicious garage banger that fires back hard at the privatisation of the NHS is something I think we can all get behind. With an intimidating yet infectious beat and lyrical hooks that will stop you in your tracks then remain firmly engrained in your memory, it’s just a brilliantly constructed song with an important, vital message at its core.

15. 'Marionettes (I. The Discovery of Strings) / Marionettes (II. The Ascent)' (Nothing Is True & Everything Is Possible, 2020)

Honestly would love for Shikari’s theatrical sixth album to one day be turned into a musical or opera, with this ambitious two-part song the centrepiece for a dramatic third act. The narrative of the piece describes puppets discovering that they’re being controlled, before then climbing up their strings to see where they lead and to which master. The overriding message is it’s always better to know the truth, no matter how painful, than to live a lie (“Truth hurts, now you know truth frees”). The instrumentation throughout both parts is just glorious, beginning on cinematic horns before transitioning into some rumbling drum & bass and sparkling synths. The vocals in part two are some of their best too, with Rou shifting between passionate cries of “Our minds are firewood” and his well-versed falsetto. One of the most ambitious works in their catalogue and yet they pull it off with flying colours.

14. 'Radiate' (Rat Race EP, 2013)

“To keep us from falling apart, we’ll write songs in the dark, and to keep us from fading away, we’ll write for a better day.” This standalone single is almost an ode from Shikari to their own musical output and their motivations behind continuing to do this for so long. Essentially they are saying they will keep spreading the word and pushing for a more progressive world whilst they are still granted the privilege of an audience and the ability to write new music. It’s a straight-up banger too, hook-filled with rousing instrumentation and more than a few welcome “BLEUGHS!” Basically, it’s insatiable so if you’ve not heard it before, what you waiting for?

13. 'An Ode To Lost Jigsaw Pieces (In Two Movements)' (The Spark, 2017)

Beautiful. Devastating. Sublime. There are few songs in Enter Shikari’s entire discography that will punch you in the gut and emotionally affect you quite like this masterpiece (yeah I said it) that close’s their fifth album. As Rou lays bare his vulnerability, detailing feelings of helplessness and uncertainty following the end of his relationship and the loss of his nan, the lyrical content is deeply moving enough. But then in the second half when his voice starts to break and delicate strings begin to glide gracefully in the background, at that point it’s guaranteed to get you choked up. For all their cathartic, genre-blending bangers and nostalgic party-starters, to then deliver songs as forcefully resonate as this is quite remarkable and a testament to their excellence.

12. 'Airfield' (The Spark, 2017)

Don’t put those tissues away just yet. Just when you thought 'An Ode To Lost Jigsaw Pieces' was Shikari’s emotional peak, they deliver a song as incredibly heartfelt and tender as this piano ballad. Perseverance has been a recurring theme in their music but no song tackles that subject with grace and beauty quite like this one. Mostly just Rou’s cracking falsetto and those sparse piano keys, it steadily builds to a hugely uplifting outro in which the band offer words of encouragement that any knockbacks or hardships are just part of life’s process. It also ends in one of the most devastatingly poignant lyrics Rou has ever written: “When the wind’s against you, re­mem­ber this in­sight: that’s the op­ti­mal con­di­tion, for birds to take flight. Now the wind’s against you, don’t give up the fight.” 

11. 'Satellites**' (Nothing Is True & Everything Is Possible, 2020)

Just another beautiful song that I can’t help but feel would’ve had greater commercial success if it was released outside of COVID times. However on the flip side, it was arguably granted more emotional heft for being released at a time when a lot of people were deprived of being intimate and having a basic connection with their loved ones. Shikari have always been advocates for the LGBTQ+ community, but this song is a soaring pop anthem in which they openly display their empathy to the cause in a way few other bands have even dared (“I don’t like the limelight, so we don’t hold hands in daylight.”) As Rou himself describes it “It’s a love song from the perspective of someone who doesn’t feel they can show their love properly because of fear.“ Simultaneously moving and uplifting, it is without a doubt one of their most important songs to date.

10. 'The Last Garrison' (The Mindsweep, 2015)

If 'Airfield' is gently encouraging listeners who are knocked back to not give up yet, then “The Last Garrison” is the one pulling them to their feet, shaking them off and telling them to snap out of their funk. Filled with immense gratitude for simply being alive and kicking, it sees heavy verses contrasted with a blissfully anthemic chorus, almost like wading through the raging battle and then coming out on the other side to see the sunrise on another day. So as we enter the Top 10, let’s all raise a glass to the Enter Shikari countdown and have a toast to the fact that we got this far. Now, welcome to the skirmish for the top spot!

9. 'The Appeal & The Mindsweep I' (The Mindsweep, 2015)

Whilst 'System… / …Meltdown' and 'Common Dreads / Solidarity' give it a run for its money, for me there is no more dramatic opening to a Shikari record than this one for The Mindsweep. With a perfectly spun introduction in which Rou presents the album’s main themes through spoken verse, a striking beat shift suddenly switches everything up into an eruption of trance-like synths and screams of “I AM A MINDSWEEPER.” With an intricate dystopian narrative coursing through the blasts of aggressive energy and sonic rage, for me it is one of Shikari’s most mind-blowing moments.

8. 'Undercover Agents' (The Spark, 2017)

Have you ever heard a song with more melodic hooks than this one? In terms of Shikari’s foray into poppier territory this is their magnum opus for me, with every corner of this track digging into your subconscious with its inescapable joyousness. As ever there’s a strong message at the core too about escaping the pressures of social media and the act of putting on a disguise for your public persona (“I don’t want the glass, I want to see the truth.”) Whilst the production is polished, there is still a raw primal energy to the track particularly on the occasional vocal cries and instinctive “Woahs!” This only helps to amplify the song’s suggestion to break free from the filters and get back to the natural. Whilst I’m sure there’s some fans of Shikari’s hardcore side that would have this nowhere near the top of the pile, I think this Top 10 spot is well-earned.

7. 'Bloodshot / Bloodshot (Coda)' (A Kiss For The Whole World, 2023)

Sticking with the theme of analysing the negative effects of social media, we arrive at the highest placed track from their most recent album. Channelling the influence of their forefathers The Prodigy with the distorted “I’m so hypnotised” vocals, Rou speaks apathetically of the way in which social media drives a tribal hive mentality and spreads disinformation into our society. As great and thought-provoking as the main track is though, it’s only further elevated by the Coda portion that follows, which may be one of the most exquisite arrangements the band have ever put to record. Simply put, it’s an utterly stunning orchestral composition that will successfully bring out all the goosebumps on your body.

6. 'Thumper' (Tribalism, 2010)

Thumper by name, very much Thumper by nature. Narrowly just missing out on the Top 5, this is one of the most underrated tracks in Shikari’s entire catalogue despite remaining one of their finest singles. What’s more disturbing is that according to Setlist.fm, the band last played this song live back in 2010 – funnily enough in a little place called Hatfield, one of the locations where Slam Dunk was held. Featuring a huge chorus, a brilliant accompanying animated video and all those classic Shikari hallmarks, its unmatched raucous energy is truly something to behold. What’s more, the line “We can’t keep differing action, only surviving by the skin of our teeth” only feels more urgent in 2023, meaning it really is the perfect time for the Shikari boys to roll this beast back out and include it in their upcoming live shows.

5. 'Destabilise' (Destabilise, 2010)

It’s safe to say that Shikari are an independent band in every sense of the word – independent thought, independent label, independent music. So, when they had a brush with the bureaucracy of the major label/corporate side of the music biz around the time of Common Dreads, safe to say it wasn’t a world they were keen on staying in for long. Exiting sharpish, they thankfully returned to the independent world unscathed, even armed with a vicious dose of anger and creativity, out of which came their greatest non-album single to date – Destabilise. Liberating, explosive and packing a chorus you can sing your lungs out to, this song epitomises their uniquely independent spirit. For that reason, it belongs in the Top 5.

4. 'Adieu' (Take To The Skies, 2007)

A comfort blanket for anyone who has ever loved and lost. Nestled in amongst the ground-breaking anthems and genre-mashing energy of their debut album, there lays this gorgeous acoustic lullaby.

Sure, whilst you could argue the band have hit greater heights since with 'Airfield' and 'An Ode To Lost Jigsaw Pieces' from The Spark which could also both take the crown as the best of their heartfelt stripped-back pieces, I believe that neither would exist without 'Adieu.' This was the first time the band showed their sensitivity and vulnerability, proving immediately that they were so much more than just that band that mixed metal and dance together. They were, and still are, incredible songwriters who can write beautifully tender and heartbreaking songs as well as any other.

3. 'Sorry You’re Not A Winner' (Take To The Skies, 2007)

You had to expect this right? The song that started it all was always going to be here, right near the top. Not necessarily because it’s better than the other 90 or so songs that I have listed before it, but because of what it meant to Enter Shikari and their career.

Whilst I’m sure the band themselves probably don’t have the same love for this song that their fanbase do, the fact remains that as a 17-year-old kid, this song hit like nothing I had ever heard before. Even as someone who was hugely into other genre crossover acts like Linkin Park in my early teens, “Sorry You’re Not A Winner” came along and it was just a different animal altogether. That impending wall of ravey synths, those short sharp guitar riffs, the duelling scream/clean vocals and, of course, the iconic CLAP CLAP CLAP. Whilst I admittedly may be looking at this one with some nostalgia-glazed/rose-tinted glasses, there’s no denying the impact this song had and the legions of followers it granted. Without this song, this article is never even written.

2. 'Dear Future Historians…' (The Mindsweep, 2015)

For all the aggression and anger in their music at times, it can be easy to forget where Shikari’s music is coming from – a place of love. Yes, sometimes a harsh dose of the tough love, but definitely love above all else. However occasionally, they’ll write a song like “Dear Future Historians” and suddenly you’re reminded that everything they’re doing is indeed coming from the heart.

Now for the most part this song is nothing more than a piano part written whilst on tour and one single take of vocals, recorded after Rou had consumed several glasses of red wine no less. The result though is a magical six-and-a-half-minute masterpiece, that builds beautifully from a sparse piano ballad into a colourful crescendo filled with gliding guitars, sweeping strings and hopeful horns. It’s a song that has since become synonymous with the band, with books and even their own online fanbase named after it. For that and so many other deserving reasons (don’t get me started on the song’s incredible imagery which I could unpack for days) this is the runner-up.

1. 'Stand Your Ground; This Is Ancient Land / Enter Shikari' (Take To The Skies, 2007)

But let’s face it, picking the “best” Enter Shikari song is an impossible task and I’m afraid this has all been a fool’s errand. You see this was a fact I quickly realised shortly after starting this venture, diving into their back catalogue once again and being instantly reminded of just the sheer eclectic breadth of sights, sounds and themes this incredible band have put forward during the last 20 years. You could easily argue the case for any one of the 92 songs on this list, even some of the much loved songs I decided to shun early on in this list (sorry on some, not sorry on others.) There really is no other band like them on the planet.

That said, I couldn’t leave this list without a number one could I? So I thought to myself what is the one song that defines Enter Shikari more than any other and in the end there was only one answer – the song named after the band itself.

Now I’m not saying Enter Shikari peaked with the very first song from their very first album – far from it. But anyone who knows this band knows how essential this song is to their DNA. Not just from the sonic makeup of the track with its ominous synths, thrash guitars and pounding drums, but also the fact it presents the three main themes that have made up the heart of many of their songs throughout their entire career – perspective, unity and perseverance. Plus, big bonus points for the first word on your debut album being “SHIIIIIIIT!” am I right?!

Joking aside, the song also birthed an important mantra that has followed them all over the world. A mantra that has found a place on every single one of their albums in some way, shape or form. A mantra that fans still sing from the top of the lungs when they want the band to return to the stage for their encore. You know it - “And still we will be here, standing like statues.” It is a message of hope and defiance that has resonated with their fans like no other and will no doubt continue to do so whilst they still carry on making music.

And that’s that! One of the best live acts on the planet and one of the best, most innovative British bands of the last 20 years. Whatever Shikari’s plans are beyond summer festival season and their arena tour in February, there’s no doubt us fans will still be here – standing like statues – waiting for whatever they deliver next.

Grab your copy of the Gigwise print magazine here.

More about: 1Enter Shikari