Roadkeeper – Enemy Mine (2021)
Hailing from the United States of America, Texas-based quartet Roadkeeper tackle controversial issues with their psychedelic sound. An independent music project founded in 2018, the dream-pop meets indie-rock group use share poignant themes with their audience within languid tunes. With several well-received singles to their name, Roadkeeper is gaining a reputation for insightful, introspective and engaging lyrics over intriguing melodies. The latest anthem from this politically-charged group is the single ‘Enemy Mine’.
Constantly seeking to push boundaries with their topical lyricism, ‘Enemy Mine’ touches on issues of far-right propaganda, radicalising young people, the influence of social media and the mind-altering consequences. Laying existential truths at people’s feet (whether they choose to acknowledge them or not), ‘Enemy Mine’ is raw honesty wrapped up in haunting vulnerability. Moving on from the blues-influenced ‘Downs’, Roadkeeper showcase a fragility with the compelling and thought-provoking lyricism.
“The lyrics to ‘Enemy Mine’ were written about the far-right radicalisation of vulnerable young people in the US by white nationalist professional pundits who are fed viewers and readers by algorithms on social media and YouTube. There is an organised effort to convert impressionable young people into radical white supremacists and encourage them to undertake radical action against marginalised people and progressive political movements. ‘Enemy Mine’ is about the dissonance between the perceived realities of radical white supremacists and that of everyone else.” – Roadkeeper on ‘Enemy Mine’
Personally, I like all of the tracks on Roadkeeper’s discography; however, it is their innovativeness and originality that truly captivate me. Within a five-minute track, the lads will traverse various genres from guitar-driven indie-rock to synth-laden dream-pop. The thing is, while the quartet incorporates different music styles into a single song, the soundscape is neither hazy nor overwhelming. Melding perfectly with the swirling melody, the vocals bring a domineering and robust quality to ‘Enemy Mine’. Unique, definitely unique, Daniel Griffith, John Hetherington, Trevor Tull and Nicklaus Cogdill defiantly express their opinion on white supremacy in a delicate and simplistic way. In fact, it may be the soothing simplicity of the song that emphasises its poignancy.
Side note: Roadkeeper released a music video for ‘Enemy Mine’ that can be viewed here.
For more from Roadkeeper check out their official website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Spotify.
