“All I can do today is warn. And hopefully, I’ll be presenting you with a more truthful lens through which to view the world than you will find in most corporate media." Rou Reynolds, 2021
Over the course of more than fifteen years and six top-selling albums Enter Shikari have become one of the most influential British rock bands of their generation, creating a wealth of heavily politicised music through their belief that music can inspire change.
Enter Shikari frontman Rou Reynolds’ latest book ‘A Treatise on Possibility: Perspectives on Humanity Hereafter’ (16 July, paperback original) is a companion guide to the critically acclaimed sixth Enter Shikari album ‘Nothing Is True & Everything Is Possible’.
Human possibility. If we get our act together, our long-term potential is virtually infinite. And infinitely beautiful. But currently humanity is being guided not by wisdom, cooperation and self-reflection but by archaic systems and false assumptions. There are warning signs everywhere: ecological destruction, mental health crises and obscene levels of inequality.
At a time when quite literally Nothing Is True & Everything Is Possible, Rou Reynolds has gone in deep, head first, exploring the predicaments of modernity. Using his lyrics to navigate the complicated web of problems, he arrives on the other side with his Treatise on Possibility. Hard-hitting and thought provoking, this is a unique perspective on humanity as we approach a point of great change.
“All I can do today is warn. And hopefully, I’ll be presenting you with a more truthful lens through which to view the world than you will find in most corporate media. In (the Enter Shikari album) Nothing Is True & Everything Is Possible I hold a mirror up to society, with the aim of revealing our shared experience, the bigger picture that is so often covered by mists of complexity and everyday toil.Though this book revolves around my lyrics, it’s more of an analysis of the world in which Nothing Is True & Everything Is Possible was written. I’ll guide you through my thoughts and feelings on that world, with the lyrics acting as convenient signposts along the way. This is my treatise on possibility.”
Rou Reynolds, 2021
Presented in two parts, ‘A Treatise on Possibility’ includes all lyrics from the Enter Shikari album ‘Nothing Is True & Everything Is Possible’ in a full-colour 48-page section with photos, followed by what Rou describes as his ‘proper reading’ territory.
About the author
Rou Reynolds is Enter Shikari’s frontman, vocalist, principal songwriter, and producer. Aside from his work within the band, he has provided guest vocals for tracks by artists such as Crossfaith, Hacktivist, The Qemists and Hospital Records’ producer Keeno, as well as remixing artists as diverse as Bring Me The Horizon, Scroobius Pip, The Slow Readers Club and Get Cape, Wear Cape, Fly.
Rou has been extremely vocal about his struggles with anxiety which came to a peak in 2015 and heavily influenced the writing of the album The Spark. He is also an active supporter and advocate for social change.
A Treatise on Possibility is Rou’s fourth book published by Faber Music, following the sold-out limited editions Dear Future Historians and The Spark, and the popular combined edition Dear Future Historians: 2006-2019.
Upon its release, ‘Nothing Is True & Everything Is Possible’ received universal critical acclaim and gave the band their sixth UK top 10 Album Chart position (finishing the week at #2, their highest position yet).