The Enemy – Social Disguises

The Enemy went straight to number one with their debut LP, We’ll Live and Die in These Towns, in 2007, and their follow-up, Music for the People, hit #2 in 2009. They also had a run of top 40 hits during the same period. Supporting the likes of The Rolling Stones, Oasis and Manic Street Preachers, they really left a mark on the UK music scene. The trio from Coventry disbanded in 2016, reuniting briefly in 2022 for a series of shows. They now return with their fifth studio album – and first since 2015 – Social Disguises.

After such a lengthy period away, fans might wonder whether The Enemy can retain the style of their previous releases. The Boxer has real punch and is easy to picture as a focal point of live shows. There is a weariness to Tom Clarke’s vocals that suits it. Not Going Your Way wouldn’t be out of place in the mid-2000s indie scene the group emerged from. It’s a refreshing, uplifting throwback – bright and breezy.

The Last Time balances this more summery style with moments of a heavier, rawer sound. The equilibrium between the two works well, showcasing their musical evolution. Trouble again recalls the 00s and the group’s influences, such as The Libertines. The chorus is slightly repetitive, but it’s a back-to-basics track brimming with energy.

The title track is one of the album’s strongest, allowing all the members a moment in the spotlight, with Clarke’s guitar work bouncing off some impressive basslines from Andy Hopkins and Liam Watt’s groove. Their tightness and focus are clear; this feels like a well-polished collection and a group that knows its strengths and limits. While it might be playing it safe at times, it captures what fans came to love about the group in the first place.

Social Disguises is a successful comeback for a group that may have been neglected by some, but proves here why they had such early success. They haven’t lost a step in a decade, returning with a sound that encapsulates their original sound while incorporating some new additions. It’s packed with their distinct brand of indie rock, and long-term fans will find much to enjoy.