Review Summary: It may not be anything new, but that doesn't stop it from being an entertaining entry in The Prodigy's discography.
Following the release of their landmark album
The Fat Of The Land and the departure of live keyboardist/dancer Leeroy Thornhill, The Prodigy decided to take a break from recording in 1999 (to the dismay of many fans). After a string of solo projects, they returned in 2002 with their comeback single "Baby’s Got A Temper", which wasn’t as well received as some of their previous singles. Two years later they released
Always Outnumbered, Never Outgunned, mostly pleasing newer fans but viewed as a disappointment in the eyes of many older fans. 2009 saw the release of
Invaders Must Die, which garnered much more praise than their previous effort. It may have not have taken the group’s sound in new directions, but it was a great effort with some tracks that screamed out classic Prodigy. Flash forward to 2015 and the group are back with their latest effort
The Day Is My Enemy, but is it the return to form long-time fans have been hoping for?
For the most part, no. Gone are the days where Howlett and co are pushing boundaries and redefining electronic music. The tracks contained within this album aren’t doing anything we haven’t heard before and for the most part it’s a continuation of what we heard on
Invaders Must Die ("Destroy" even reuses the memorable glockenspiel sample found on
Omen, making it stand out like a sore thumb). But just because it isn’t new or groundbreaking, that doesn’t mean it isn’t an enjoyable album. One of the highlights, "Wild Frontier", is an absolute joy to listen to. Featuring a reserved synth intro, it immediately hits the listener with a sledgehammer of blisteringly fast keyboards, synths and powerful drums. It’s one of the heaviest songs featured on the album and it’s thrilling to hear Keith Flint spit out lyrics such as
”In the wild frontier, off the beaten track, in the wild frontier, better watch your back” like the 90’s never ended. Similarly exhilarating is "Roadblox", with a testosterone filled chorus and memorable synth motif that pops up throughout.
There is however one track where they try something new, and that’s album interlude "Beyond The Deathray". It is without a doubt one of the most reticent tracks the group has ever produced, featuring an eerie synth line throughout that wouldn’t be out of place on a Trent Reznor/Atticus Ross soundtrack and ethereal keyboards that add to the overall atmosphere of the song. We may only get a glimpse of what could have been before we’re launched into "Rhythm Bomb", but it’s a fascinating piece none the less and it would be riveting to see them expand upon it in the future. "Ibiza" features the Sleaford Mods (a near-perfect match with The Prodigy) and sees them mocking the superstar DJ culture of the island, and how they turn up in their private jets with pre-programmed USBs. Lyrically it may not be very interesting, but what makes it memorable is the Sleaford Mods’ tongue in cheek verses, delivered in their typically thick Nottingham accent. Unfortunately the album doesn’t end on a high note with "Wall Of Death". The instrumentation throughout isn’t particularly interesting and neither are Keith’s constant shouts of
”Follow me to the wall of death, welcome to the wall of death”. Maybe they thought listeners wouldn’t have made it this far, but it just feels like a poor way to end an album that deserves a proper send-off.
At the end of the day,
The Day Is My Enemy will be seen as a continuation of what The Prodigy have been doing for the last few years. It isn’t
The Fat Of The Land part two but by now fans shouldn’t expect that. Nonetheless, it is still a great listen that feels like it would be even better in a live setting. It will be pleasing to newer fans who I am sure will find a lot of replay value in it it and also older fans, who may hear glimpses of the old-school Prodigy they know and love and also newer pieces they find to be appealing.
