Enter Shikari Drop Surprise Album Ahead Of Australian Tour

Mary Varvaris

"We want people to go on a proper journey with this album and see where it takes them," explained frontman Rou Reynolds.

Enter Shikari(Credit: Kate Hook)

Enter Shikari

Next month, British electronica-meets-metal outfit Enter Shikari return to Australia. Fans will hear new music alongside all the favourites, as the band just surprise released a brand-new album, Lose Your Self.

With no teasers or announcements from the band, the album landed on streaming services at midnight BST / 9 am AEST.

“We’re delighted to present LOSE YOUR SELF and give people the chance to hear a Shikari record like never before - as a cohesive whole. We want people to go on a proper journey with this album and see where it takes them,” said frontman Rou Reynolds.

He explained, “No lead-up, no singles, and no explanation. Forcing the listener to actually listen, without being drip-fed ideas out of context, or spoon-fed explanations. We simply present it all, for the listener to immerse themself in.

“Releasing in this way was also a decision to not be distracted by chart races, or accolades and ‘things.’ We got the No.1 album on our last record. This is simply about the music being presented in a natural way.”

Reynolds continued, “Despite turning out to be one of our darkest and heaviest albums to date, it also preaches hope and offers answers. Shikari will always offer hope because, without hope, there is no action. We’ll just always offer it with a dose of realism.”

While major pop stars such as Beyoncé, Taylor Swift and Justin Bieber have famously dropped surprise albums over the years, Enter Shikari have gone beyond expectations: Lose Your Self isn’t only available on digital platforms, but fans can also buy the album on CD and vinyl formats, with Australian exclusive vinyl and CDs shipping now. You can check out the album and order a physical copy here.

Enter Shikari return to Australia this May for their first headline tour since 2022—they last performed for audiences Down Under at last year’s Knotfest.

The tour will kick off in Perth on Thursday, 14 May, and continue with dates in Adelaide, Melbourne, Frankston, Newcastle, Sydney, Brisbane, and on the Sunshine Coast, wrapping up the shows on Sunday, 24 May. For the tour, Enter Shikari will be joined by special guest grandson, who effortlessly blends anthemic rock with hip-hop.

Tickets to the tour are available now.