Kneecap have released a new single, Liars Tale, which criticises UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer over his stance on the war in Gaza and also references Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Announcing their new album on Wednesday, the Irish rap trio said that criticism from Starmer was "all the motivation we needed" and said the album was dedicated to "everyone speaking truth to power".
The group, made up of Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, Naoise Ó Cairealláin and J. J. Ó Dochartaigh, will release their second studio album, titled Fenian, on 24 April.
The lead single, Liars Tale, contains strong language and includes lyrics accusing Starmer of "doing nothing", while also using the term "genocide" in relation to Gaza. Israel rejects allegations of genocide, and a case brought by South Africa at the International Court of Justice is ongoing, with no final ruling.
Rapping in Irish, the band also accused Starmer of being "nothing but a Tory" and of pandering to the US.
A dystopian-themed music video for Liars Tale features the three musicians in guillotines and includes a Thatcher-like character, with a voiceover referencing "foreign policy advice".
Kneecap previously hit headlines after Ó hAnnaidh, who performs as Mo Chara, was charged in the UK in connection with an allegation that he displayed a flag in support of Hezbollah, which is proscribed in the UK, at a London gig. The case was later thrown out, and an appeal is under way.
Kneecap's Glastonbury performance in 2025 was also investigated by Avon and Somerset Police, but the force later said it would take no further action.
The band has previously apologised to the families of murdered MPs Jo Cox and David Amess after footage emerged from a past concert which appeared to show a member urging people to "kill your local MP". Kneecap said it has never supported Hamas or Hezbollah and condemned all attacks on civilians.
The group released their first full-length album, Fine Art, in 2024, having previously released the mixtape 3CAG in 2018, and have collaborated with Fontaines DC’s Grian Chatten on the song Better Way To Live.
In between their first and second LPs, the band have released a number of standalone singles, including The Recap, which looked back at their year in the press and took aim at Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch.
Kneecap also starred in their own film in 2024, directed by Rich Peppiatt, which won several IFTA awards, while Peppiatt won the BAFTA for Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director or Producer.
