What makes The Enemies EP by Headlights notable?

The Enemies EP garnered positive critical reception, establishing Headlights as a noteworthy act within the indie rock genre. It contributed to the growing popularity of Midwest emo and indie pop sounds during the early 2000s, influencing contemporaries and subsequent artists in the scene. Released in early 2004, The Enemies EP was Headlights' debut project, introducing their fresh sound to the indie rock scene. Prior to this release, the band had been honing their craft and building a local following, making this EP a pivotal moment that set the stage for their later albums.

How many songs are on The Enemies EP?

The Enemies EP has 4 tracks, running approximately 14 minutes.

The Enemies EP

Headlights · 2004

14 min · 4 tracks · indie rock

A bright and melodic blend of jangly guitars and introspective lyrics that encapsulate early 2000s indie rock charm.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Tokyo — This opening track features catchy melodies layered over upbeat rhythms, setting an energetic tone for the EP while showcasing the band's knack for infectious hooks.
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Everybody Needs a Fence to Lean On — This song stands out with its reflective lyrics and dynamic instrumentation, illustrating the band's ability to balance earnestness with engaging musicality.
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It Isn't Easy to Live That Well — The closing track delves into themes of personal struggle with a haunting melody that lingers, highlighting the emotional depth present throughout the EP.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

45 /100

Lowland

Higher than 5% of albums we've rated

The EP showcases solid songwriting and production typical of early 2000s indie rock, with a cohesive sound but limited standout moments.

What we noticed

The first track opens with a bright guitar riff that sets a jangly tone, while the second track introduces layered harmonies that build on the melodic foundation.
Each song features a consistent mid-tempo pace, with lyrics that reflect introspective themes, enhancing the emotional resonance of the music.
The EP concludes with a track that incorporates a gradual fade-out, leaving an impression of lingering thoughts rather than a definitive end.

Composition 25% of the score: 6/10
Craft 20% of the score: 6/10
Durability 25% of the score: 5/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 5/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 7/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 Tokyo 3:38
2 Centuries 2:36
3 Everybody Needs a Fence to Lean On 4:14
4 It Isn't Easy to Live That Well 4:01

What to play next

Listen next

Kill Them with Kindness

2006

Go back to

Wildlife

Full Headlights discography Artists like Headlights

indie rock

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata