VIDEO: The Enemy - It's Automatic

Here is the first video from the fourth studio album by The Enemy due for release on 9th October 2015. The title track, 'It's Automatic' received it's first radio play on XFM's Jon Holmes Breakfast Show today (25/08/15) and went down a storm with fans. The video premiered on NME

Conor Doherty described it saying, "it's different, but sounds brilliant." Twitter user matteos herringos said, "I got goose bumps listening to that! It's bloody massive ..... what a tune!"   Die hard fan, Amy Langham thought the new track was, "big" - saying Jon Holmes should play it again.

Tickets for the November tour and pre-orders for the new album are available now: pledge.com

VIDEO: The Enemy - 'It's Automatic':

NME.COM: Tom Clarke Talks About New Album

Tom Clarke spoke to Mark Beaumont from NME.COM:

When most musicians claim they had to get clean to find inspiration for their new album, they don’t mean it in quite the same way as The Enemy’s Tom Clarke. “Every now and then I just get in the shower and write lyrics,” he says, discussing the creative process behind their forthcoming fourth album ‘It’s Automatic’ and its giveaway “transition track” ‘Don’t Let Nothing Get In The Way’. “For some reason that’s the place that I write songs more frequently than anywhere else. I got in the shower and those lyrics were just there… I always just want to get home and get in my shower because I know I can write songs there. I’ve been looking at redoing my bathroom but what if I get rid of the shower and it doesn’t work anymore?”

Magical musical faucets aside, ‘It’s Automatic’ is an album driven by romantic woes (“a lot of this album is about relationships, I’ve had a lot of them now and none of them have worked. It’s definitely the most personal record”) and the need for a fresh start. “We’re at the point where we want to try and take a bit of a risk and put an album out that’s different and progressive and a bit of an evolution,” Clarke explains, still burnt, perhaps, by the scathing critical response to 2012’s Top 10 third album ‘Streets In The Sky’.



“It started before we released the singles and rarities album [2014’s ‘Dancing All Night’, released via PledgeMusic]. We were playing a gig in the middle of nowhere in Scotland and I sat Andy [Hopkins, bass] and Liam [Watts, drums] down and kinda said, ‘Look, I can’t do another ‘We’ll Live and Die In These Towns’. I don’t wanna cover old ground, I don’t wanna make another Enemy album, I wanna go and do some solo stuff’. Andy was like, “Well I don’t wanna make another Enemy album either, we really have covered it and I wanna do something completely different”. That’s where the talks started of, ‘Maybe we do it as The Enemy but we do something that people wouldn’t expect.’”

They set about cribbing sounds and ideas from their favourite contemporary records – Diiv, Death Cab For Cutie, the Drive soundtrack, R&B beats and even, thanks to their new producer Gethin Pearson, their mortal enemies from the school of 2008. “Gethin’s the person who basically made me listen to the Horrors album. He said ‘I don’t care what you think about them, you’ve got to listen to this album cos it’s too good not to’. So I drove back from work listening to the album going, ‘He’s right, it’s fucking amazing’. That latest album (2014’s ‘Luminous’), it’s like Simple Minds but there are bits of The Cure. I love it. I just listen to it from a musical perspective, forgetting anything previously [Horrors singer Faris Badwan mocked The Enemy at the 2008 NME Awards, declaring that they’d “defied natural selection”].”

Delving into psychedelic and progressive sounds, ‘It’s Automatic’ and first single ‘So Much Love’ are about “when you almost don’t want to be in love with someone but you are and you probably always will be no matter who else you meet – it’s venting that feeling”.

Tom is confident it’s a new-era Enemy record that will catapult them straight back into the public eye. Although he insists he won’t be returning to Twitter, which he quit over “cyber bullying” last year. “Twitter is a bit like an infection that you don’t really know you’ve got but it drags you down and you’re never really firing on all cylinders,” he says. “Since leaving Twitter my productivity has gone up, my mood is generally better, I can’t see me going back… There’s so much pressure to be on social media, you’re like an outcast if you’re not. But I’d rather be a happy outcast.”

Article: NME.COM

VIDEO: The Enemy Talk To NME @TiTP

The Enemy took time out during their performance at T In The Park and spoke to NME.COM. Tom Clarke spoke about the new album reaching top ten because of the loyal fans.

Watch the interview below ......

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The Enemy Edge Closer To Album Chart Top Spot

With the final sales day before the new UK album chart is released, The Enemy have been working flat out in a bid for the #1 spot. Tom Clarke was left virtually speechless after five nights performing around the UK, taking to the Fighting Talk, Big Day Out, Britannia Stadium in Stoke, he had to call on fans to help him out with the singing.

Fans have been buying 'Streets In The Sky' during the week, partly helped by Amazon doing the album for just £3.99 this week and HMV having the album displayed as you enter the store. Sales continued to rise during the week, giving The Enemy a midweek chart position #4.

Tom Clarke then tweeted yesterday (25/05/12) saying, "I've just been told the album is somewhere in the top ten at the moment! (amazing) BUT it's also on 3000 COPIES of being NUMBER ONE!!!!!..." Urging fans to tell their mates to buy a copy of the album, "Go and buy another copy and I'll come round and press play on your cd player personally!!! It's incredible that you lot have got the album so close!!! Just that final push if you wanna show."

Find out Sunday evening what chart position The Enemy's 'Streets In The Sky' achieves - whatever number, everyone will be proud to see a Coventry band back in the album charts. Fans have even set up a 'Let's Get The Enemy To Number' page on Facebook in an effort to spread the news.

The story has been covered on several websites, including NME.COM.

(PIC: Shirlaine Forrest / HMV Manchester)

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Meaning Behind Streets In The Sky Album Title

More of the NME interview with Andy Hopkins reveals thoughts on the second album and the meaning of the title for the third album. Read the NME story below:

The Enemy have admitted that the lyrics on their second studio album 'Music For The People' were too political.
The Coventry trio will release their third album 'Streets In The Sky', which has been produced by The Bronx's Joby Ford, on May 21.
The record kicks off with single 'Gimme The Sign', which you can watch the video for now by scrolling down to the bottom of the page and clicking.

Speaking to NME, bassist Andy Hopkins said that the band all felt their second album was "too political", but that they have returned to their roots for the lyrical themes on 'Streets In The Sky'.

Asked about this, Hopkins said: "We might have gone a bit too political on the second album. It wasn't meant to be, but I think it ended up going that way. This album is like our first one in that it's inspired by our lives and the lives of the people around us. It's about us, and our mates and what goes on. It's got lots of different moods on there though."

Hopkins also spoke about the lengthy gap between their second and third records, saying that the band believed their second offering had been a bit rushed and that they needed a rest.

He said of this: "We needed a bit of a break. We didn't have long enough to write the second album, we basically ended up writing it in the studio. This time around we've had a lot more time and it's been a lot more relaxed."

The bassist also spoke about the album's title, which he revealed had been taken from a television programme about Sheffield housing estate Park Hill, which described the design concept as 'Streets In The Sky'. He added though that the title wasn't actually a reference to the flats.

He said of the LP's title: "There's this block of flats in Sheffield and there was a programme on it and it was called 'Streets In The Sky'. It's not about that though, it can mean lots of things. To me it means normal people doing well. It means enjoying yourself. It doesn't mean just one thing."

*Source: NME.COM

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Andy Hopkins Talks To NME About New Album

Andy Hopkins spoke to NME magazine about their forthcoming album release, giving some honest thoughts on 'Music For The People' and the fresh, raw sound we can expect on 'Streets In The Sky'. Here is that article from NME:

The Enemy have spoken about their new album 'Streets In The Sky' and said that they believe they have truly captured their live sound properly for the first time.

The Coventry trio will release their third album on May 21. The record kicks off with single 'Gimme The Sign', which you can watch the video for now by scrolling down to the bottom of the page and clicking.

Speaking to NME about the album, bassist Andy Hopkins said that the band all felt their second album 'Music For The People' "sounded too big for a three-piece band" and that he felt they'd captured the sound of their debut 'We'll Live And Die In These Towns' on their new record.

Asked about how he and his bandmates reflected on their second album, Hopkins said: "With the second album, the overall sound was too big for a three-piece band. We've gone back to sounding more like the first album; it's more upbeat, with more catchy choruses. But, at the same time, it sounds nothing like the first album."

Hopkins also spoke about the band's decision to work with The Bronx's Joby Ford on the album and said that he'd help them find a sound that was "fresh and raw".

Asked about how they got introduced to Ford, Hopkins said: "We got introduced to Joby through our A&R man. We'd heard him in the Bronx and once we found out a bit about him we thought he'd be great for the record because he'd make it sound really fresh and raw. On the last couple of albums, we haven't really got our live sound across."

He continued: "With Joby, he helped just work on getting that across. He works in the same way as we do. It wasn't quicker, but it wasn't stressful in any way. We did pre-production, which we've never done before. He listened to all the songs and made loads of suggestions, which really helped."
The bassist added that the trio started off the recording with around 30 songs and then whittled them down to 12 after extensive demoing.

He said of this: "We had about 30 songs to start off with and we demoed a lot of them. Once we finished demoing and recorded some of them we were able to pick out the ones we wanted."

The Enemy will play an intimate London show next week. The band, who confirmed two homecoming gigs at Coventry's Cathedral Ruins on May 21 and 22 earlier this month, will play London's Borderline venue on April 18.

The Enemy will follow the Coventry dates with a short UK tour, playing three further shows. These begin at Manchester Academy on May 23, the band will then play London's O2 Shepherd's Bush Empire on May 24, before finally finishing at Glasgow Barrowlands on May 25.

The band are also confirmed to appear at this summer's Live At Leeds festival and at both legs of August's V Festival.

The Enemy will play:

London Borderline (April 18)
Coventry Cathedral Ruins (May 21, 22)
Manchester Academy (23)
O2 Shepherds Bush Empire (24)
Glasgow Barrowlands (25)

*Source: NME

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PICTURES: The Enemy At NME Awards 2012

The Enemy are familiar faces at the NME Awards, having won Best New Band in 2008. Here are two pictures from this weeks award ceremony from Brixton O2 Academy, London. Even though Andy Hopkins managed to drop his phone into his pint on the night!

The Enemy sit ready and waiting for the NME Awards to start (PIC: Dan Kendall/NME)

The Enemy arrive at the 2012 NME Awards show in London (PIC: Vic Frankowski/NME)

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Tom Clarke Sets The Record Straight

Tom Clarke has set the record straight after several media sources took his twitter comments out of context, when he wrote about the plight of the UK music scene at the moment. Here is what Tom first wrote on December 23rd,

"Radio and music in general is fucking appalling at the moment, half these so called artist can't come back with a second single let alone an album of substance. It's all cool for five minutes then on to the next.... there are no career musicians in the charts at the moment."

"The closest thing is Coldplay, and although I do like their latest song, they have been churning out tired middle of the road impressions of themselves for a decade now."

"Why is nobody brave enough to make a great album. A record that can define a time? That can say what we're all thinking? Seriously? I got mildly excited when I heard the first Vaccines song, then they followed it up with a song about scuba diving equipment."

"People are so out of touch it pains me. I've still got the kitchen and bathroom to decorate but looks like we'll have to save music again ;) (the last tweet was half in jest. Only half mind."

Here are the press reports following those comments:
NME wrote: The Enemy's Tom Clarke has said that music is "fucking appalling at the moment" and believes it's up to him and his band to save it.

The singer posted a series of messages on his Twitter account earlier this week (December 23) criticising his peers for failing to be "brave" and making a "great album" to encapsulate the times.

Clarke, who is working on a third album with The Enemy that will be released in 2012, wrote: "Radio and music in general is fucking appalling at the moment.

"Why is nobody brave enough to make a great album? A record that can define a time? That can say what we're all thinking? Seriously?"

He later added:
People are so out of touch it pains me. I've still got the kitchen and bathroom to decorate but looks like we'll have to save music again.
Clarke, who later said he his messages had been "half in jest", told NME earlier this year that the follow-up to 2009's 'Music For The People' would see The Enemy return to the more direct sound of their 2007 debut 'We'll Live And Die In These Towns'.

The frontman also admitted that the LP would be make or break for the Coventry trio, adding: "This album will be the one that defines where that goes – whether it doesn't work and we go 'That's it' or we find the sound that drives us forward."

The Sun wrote: TOM CLARKE is so disgusted with the music in today's charts that he reckons his band need to save the industry.

The Enemy frontman said: "Radio and music in general is fucking appalling at the moment.

"Why is nobody brave enough to make a great album?

"People are so out of touch it pains me.

"I've still got the kitchen and bathroom to decorate but it looks like we'll have to save music again."

Tom later said his messages had been in "half in jest".

What the press failed to report were Tom Clarke's following comments, where he said:

"My 'save music' comment was completely tongue in cheek. Out of context - looks horrendous. I didn't take it out of context, other people did. However, I genuinely think the British music charts are a disgrace. They don't showcase British guitar music, and there is too much talent for radio to ignore. Somebody needs to do something to address it."

"Now what I was saying, is we're going to work our bollocks to try, and I'm sure there are many bands who are going to as well, and who are more than capable of doing so, and who I hope will! We're all in the same game, the same boat - bands can either stick together now and make a difference, and make the charts a more interesting place or they can bicker and divide fans."

"Personally, I wish every band the best of luck next year, because there is room for lots of them. Ultimately, people need to lighten up. It's not that I shouldn't be saying it, it's that every band should, and we should all be saying that together, we're all going to save music from the X Factor infested dribble that bothers the charts now days."

"We are working very hard, to try to make a difference. And I adore my fans, and ALL fans of proper music, whether they like The Enemy or not. Because really, at the end of the day, only they have the power to decide what is massive. Not radio, not the press - certainly not me. All I do, is try to do my job to the best of my ability, and listen to my fans, and my critics, because I care what people think."

"I hope that next year is a great year for us and that many other guitar bands return, and new ones break through. I want to save music and I want other bands to too. We all do! Then we can turn on the radio and dance our heads off all year long!"

Tom went on to say,

"If I knew NME would run a piece on it, I would've been much more careful with my words. I'm not an idiot, I know how it looks out of context. All guitar bands need to step up and save music this year -the UK is full of great bands. I don't think the NME twisted anything. I think the piece was bang on. The mistake was my lack of clarity on what I meant. For the first time in a long time, there are some genuinely good people who love music working at NME."

"Kasabian are the only light in a desolate wasteland of half hearted pish, Kasabian are real." Speaking about The Vaccines 'Wet Suit', Tom said: "Put a wet suit on go on go on....Why??? I live in Coventry? Are we goin' to the swimming baths? Speedos will suffice if so."

"The Subways are another example of a proper band. They put the hard graft in. Amazing to see them doing well. Big love for em."

"I should make clear I'm not having a pop at The Vaccines. It's good to at least hear some guitars on radio, and I haven't heard the album so I'm basing my entire opinion on one song, which is probably not fair. But still... Wet Suit? Really? It's been taken too seriously, when it was intended to be read with a pinch of salt."

"OK, I'm going to release a single about a snorkel. I'm not having a pop at em (The Vaccines), can't wait to sit down and listen to the album, just saying, Wet Suit is weak - and anyway, in context I was making the point that there's nothing on radio that says anything to me. Don't get me wrong, they're better than 99% of stuff on radio, just the Wet Suit thing went over my head. My comment was tongue in cheek."

"The Vaccines are one of the most exciting bands to break through in a long time. Got proper enthused , early (The) Doors when I saw them on Jools Holland. There is no question that they are better than 99% of the drivel out at the moment. The point I made earlier, was that after the ballsy guitar heavy early singles, Wet Suit left me a bit wanting. Now that's just my personal opinion, I meant no offence to the band, I think they're doing a great job in a difficult market and I look forward to having a proper listen to the album.

"I should have known by now that in the public domain people will jump on something you've said and apply unintended gravitas to a personal opinion. In general, I hope they (The Vaccines) do really well! Hope no offence was taken. From what I hear, the album is superb! Lots of Enemy fans think so!"

"Thank fuck for Kerrang Radio - without them I'd of thrown the car radio out the window long ago. Love XFM, just don't get it up here in Cov. I won't (be) apologising for saying I hope, and want to get more guitars in the charts and on mainstream radio."
"There's no denying there are plenty of great young bands about. The crime is that they're not on the radio and a load of shit is. (I've) seen Beady Eye loads now, love their energy, and Noel's stuff proves he's an epic songwriter. Would love another Oasis album."

"I don't want to offend people who are working hard and trying to get guitars bigger. What I've learnt over the years, is to try to avoid offending people with my mouth, and let the music talk. My plan is to work my bollocks off, record a guitar heavy album that is absolutely the best I can make, and hope (The) Enemy fans love it., and that some people who aren't Enemy fans are converted too. I think it's possible to do that, without talking trash and needlessly alienating people. Because ultimately, I care about people - without Enemy fans, we'd be three lads in a room who never got to make a record."

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The Enemy Talks To NME About Third Album

The NME reports that The Enemy have admitted that they will face an uncertain future if their third studio album doesn't succeed in the latest edition of the weekly music magazine.
The Coventry trio endured a disappointing response to their 2009 second album 'Music For The People' and have revealed that they have returned to the more direct sound of their 2007 debut 'We'll Live And Die In These Towns' for their new LP, which is due to be released next summer.

Speaking to NME, the band's frontman Tom Clarke said of where he believes the group are in their career: "A lot of bands experience the pivot point in their career where it's make or break on their second album, but I don't think we did that. This album will be the one that defines where that goes – whether it doesn't work and we go 'That's it' or we find the sound that drives us forward."

The band also revealed that they have 30 songs written for the album and hope to get it out next year. They have yet to decide on a producer.
To read the full interview with The Enemy, pick up the new issue of NME, which is on UK newsstands now or available digitally.

*PICTURE: NME/Tom Oxley

* OFFICIAL Enemy website: http://theenemy.com

The Enemy Reveal New Album Tracks

Three track titles have been revealed from the upcoming album from The Enemy, as highlighted by NME.COM

The Coventry trio have been working on the album in Warwickshire's Vada Studios as well as London's Konk and The Pool facilities. Brian Eno collaborator Leo Abrahams has been on production duties.

Songs set for the album include 'This Is Real', 'Melody' and 'She's A Dancer', with the band looking at a summer or autumn 2011 release date.

"We initially planned to take a year out," frontman Tom Clarke told Q.

Drummer Liam watts added: "But then after a few months we were just itching to play. We just couldn't keep away."

The new album will be the follow-up to the band's 2009 second album 'Music For The People'.

* OFFICIAL Enemy website: http://theenemy.com

Tom Clarke Gives Album Update

NME spoke to Tom Clarke, who gave an update about the development of the third album. Here is the story:

The Enemy frontman Tom Clarke says the band's forthcoming third LP is more "mature" - but will still have some "screamers" on it.

The singer told NME that the Coventry trio are still in the writing and rehearsal stage of the album, but they were raring to get back out on the circuit.

"We have loads of tunes we're all excited about," he said. "Some of it is the most mature stuff we've ever written, and some of it is good old Enemy two-chord screamers."

He added: "We can't wait to be in the thick of it again. There's a quiet to fill, and nothing on the radio that's crying out to us. Like when we started…"

The album will be the follow-up to the band's second album, 2009's 'Music For The People'. It is expected in late 2011.

*As seen on NME.COM

* OFFICIAL Enemy website: http://theenemy.com

Tom Clarke London DJ Set Announced

NME magazine reports that The Enemy are to take a break from working on their third album as frontman Tom Clarke gets set to make a rare appearance behind the decks.

The singer will DJ at the This Feeling club night at London's Relentless Garage on Friday (May 28).

Amy MacDonald is also on the bill, performing tracks from new album 'A Curious Thing', while other DJs will also play.

Head to http://www.thisfeeling.co.uk/ for more information and ticket details.

*As reported on NME.com

* OFFICIAL Enemy website: http://theenemy.com

The Enemy To Play Hogmanay

The Enemy have been added to the line up of this year's Edinburgh Hogmanay street party, reports NME magazine.



Taking place in Edinburgh city centre on December 31, the party also features Madness, Noisettes and Frightened Rabbit. The Fratellis' frontman John Lawler's sideproject Codeine Velvet Club are also set to perform at the bash.


Tickets for Edinburgh Hogmanay are on sale now. For more information see Edinburghshogmanay.com.


* OFFICIAL Enemy website: http://theenemy.com

'Has Lady GaGa Got A Penis?' The Enemy Ask V Festival

As reported on NME.COM, The Enemy asked an interesting question:

Coventry trio The Enemy asked the crowd an intimate question about Lady GaGa on the 4Music Stage at the Chelmsford leg of V Festival tonight (August 23).

The band were playing at the same time as the US singer took to the stage in The Arena.

"Just a question," asked Clarke later after playing 'No Time For Tears'. "Has GaGa got a penis, who knows?"

A red flare was lit from the middle of the crowd during 'This Song', the chorus of which was sung a-capella by the crowd and then given a drum accompaniment by Liam Watts.

At the end of the set Clarke asked for the lights to be turned on the crowd, before saying "You lot are fucking mega", a statement he had made after second song 'Aggro'.

The Enemy played:

'Had Enough'
'Aggro'
'Away From Here'
'No Time For Tears'
'40 Days & 40 Nights'
'Sing When You're In Love'
'We'll Live And Die In These Towns'
'This Song'
'Happy Birthday Jane'
'You're Not Alone'

* Also visit: http://theenemy.eu

* OFFICIAL Enemy website: http://theenemy.com

VIDEO: NME Backstage With The Enemy

The Enemy spoke to NME.COM backstage recently at their Brighton gig and Tom Clarke talked about the tour, the crowds, the new album and how the fans make everything worthwhile. Watch the video below:

* As seen on: http://theenemy.eu

* OFFICIAL Enemy website: http://theenemy.com

VIDEO - The Enemy Talk About New Album To NME

The Enemy spoke to NME magazine about the new album 'Music For The People' and in this video from NME.COM, Tom Clarke goes through track by track and explains where the songs came from.

WATCH THE VIDEO: HERE



Visit NME.COM for more videos

* As seen on: http://theenemy.eu

* OFFICIAL Enemy website: http://theenemy.com

Listen To Music For The People For FREE!

You can listen to The Enemy's new album 'Music For The People' completely FREE this week thanks to NME.COM

Head over to the website and listen to the album ahead of it's release on Monday 27th April 2009. You can also rate the album, so if you are itching to find out what all the fuss is about go to NME.COM now!

* As seen on: http://theenemy.eu

* OFFICIAL Enemy website: http://theenemy.com

The Enemy Competition

COMPETITION

To celebrate the release of the new Enemy album NME have two limited edition album box sets up for grabs (more details below) and five signed t-shirts.

To be in with a chance of winning just enter your email at NME.COM.Winners will be drawn on Monday 27th April and notified the same day.

If you haven't come across it yet here's the limited edition album box set.

It includes the album on CD and 12", an extended DVD from last years Ricoh Arena, a lyric booklet and a personally signed print from Si Scott.

Want one of those? There are only 2,000 being produced so order yours now. Plus, delivery is free when you pre-order it.

PRE-ORDER NOW »

* As seen on: http://theenemy.eu

* OFFICIAL Enemy website: http://theenemy.com

The Enemy: 'We Saw The Recession Coming'

*Source: NME Magazine

The Enemy front man Tom Clarke has claimed that they saw the global recession coming with 2007 debut album 'We’ll Live And Die In These Towns'.

In this week’s NME cover feature, Clarke explains how the current economic conditions will make their songs about provincial working class poverty even more relevant than before.

He said: "We did see it coming early, and there were a lot of people who didn't get the band because of that. I think there will be a lot more people now that see the relevance of the first album, let alone the second."

However, Clarke does not claim to have all the answers to recovery as well.

"I'm not a politician and I don't know," he continued. "I'm very good at just pointing out what's happening… like, I know when I see car workers being given an hour's notice, which is what happened last month (at the Mini factory in Cowley), that that’s out of order. But actually changing the country is a seriously hard job, and people don't actually give politicians enough credit."

The Enemy release new album 'Music For The People' on April 27. To read our whole interview, check out this week’s issue of NME, on UK newsstands now.

* As seen on: http://theenemy.eu

* OFFICIAL Enemy website: http://theenemy.com

NME Reviews 'Music For The People'

NME.COM - Music For The People - The First Listen

By Luke Lewis

Looking back, The Enemy's debut album seems weirdly prescient. Its centrepiece, 'You're Not Alone', was dedicated to those cast out of work by the closure of the city's Peugeot factory. The title track 'We'll Live And Die In These Towns' painted a picture of irreversible urban decay. Its central theme was that modern life is rubbish, and there is no escape.

Post banking crisis, those preoccupations – industrial decline, unemployment, helplessness in the face of grim economic reality – are far more urgent than they were back in summer 2007. The problem is, the band themselves did escape. They had a Number One album, toured the world, made a stack of cash.

Which poses a dilemma for album two: do they maintain their social conscience, address these troubled times? Or do they go the Oasis route, ramp up their success, chase The Big Music, inflate their sound to stadium levels?

As you might have guessed from the grandiose title – 'Music For The People' being, as we pointed out the other week, one of those titles that bands only go for when they're already pumped-up with sky-high self-confidence – they've mostly opted for the latter.

The Enemy, 'Music For The People' sleeve

continued...

Everything about this album, for better or worse, suggests a band desperate to move up to the next level, scale and popularity-wise. It's nothing if not ambitious. Ahead of its release on 27 April, here's our first-listen, track-by-track response.

Elephant Song
A symphonic intro (of course) gives way to a hard-riffing, glam-tinged stomp, reminiscent of Kasabian's 'Empire', The Stone Roses' 'Love Spreads', Embrace's 'One Big Family' – basically any song where lad-rock hits the big red button marked 'epic'.

No Time For Tears
The first single, out 14 April. Features an unusually high vocal from Tom Clarke, roughened up by studio distortion. The production is glossy and spacious, a long way from the snarling, tightly-wound sound of the first album. The line "We gotta get out of the city" aligns it with 'Away From Here' – only here we get a passage of open-throated female gospel wailing that recalls Pink Floyd's 'The Great Gig In The Sky'. Covered by Slade.

51st State
If the first album aped early Jam, this track seems closer to the more lush and soulful late-period of 'Beat Surrender'. There are also shades of 'Rock The Casbah', with its plinky piano riff. Like every song so far, this boats a simplistic, staccato chorus that you can imagine being accompanied by pumping fists and much excitable hurling around of booze in the moshpit.

Sing When You're In Love
Lyrics that find romance in urban squalor ("the concrete jungle that echoes your name") potentially make it this album's 'We'll Live And Die In These Towns' – although it’s in a major-key, with a three-chord sequence strangely reminiscent of Blondie's cover of The Paragons' 'The Tide Is High'. Seems a little cheesy on first listen, has to be said. Possible radio hit?

Last Goodbye
Not a Jeff Buckley cover thank God, rather a string-soaked slowie that pinches the "just let them go" hook of Blur's 'The Universal'. Generally suggestive of that late-Britpop moment when every indie band drowned their songs in orchestral syrup.

Nation Of Checkout Girls
The Britpop theme continues – this one sounds exactly like 'Common People', at least in the verses. "We're the generation that do what we're told by the corporations". They haven't entirely lost their desire to Tell It Like It Is, then.

Don't Break The Red Tape
"Try and stop us, try and stop us, try and stop us…" A 'London Calling'-aping verse builds to another jagged, ruthlessly efficient chorus. Another song guaranteed to spark mosphpit 'aggro'.

Be Somebody
Boasts an intriguing lyric ("No-one ever gives you anything for free/Unless you're willing to sleep with the BBC") and a gleaming pearl of a chorus, augmented by a subtle, single-note piano part. The strongest track so far.

Keep Losing
A woozy waltz accented by spiralling strings. Lyrically, though, we're on familiar Enemy territory, this being a tale of a down-at-heel ordinary joe hacking away at the coalface of urban tedium and indifference.

Silver Spoon
An 11-minute slab of sunny, 'Mr Blue Sky'-style psychedelia, this is crying out for a video in which Blue Meanies chase each other down rabbit-holes, or something. Cuts out suddenly after four minutes… but then it starts back up, having mutated into a 'Let It Be'-esque gospel piano ballad. Crafty.

* As seen on: http://theenemy.eu

* OFFICIAL Enemy website: http://theenemy.com