Skindred’s new album “Smile” out tomorrow
Skindred are back with their eight studio album, and their first on Earache records, a label with a who’s who of artists ranging from Black Star Riders, Massive Wagons, Wormrot and the horror-punk legends that are The Misfits.
“I don’t think anyone can just make the music that Skindred makes,” suggests Skindred’s formidable frontman Benji Webbe. “You’ve got to live a life to make this music.” Never a truer word said. The band from Newport is completed by Mikey Demus (guitar), Daniel Pugsley (bass), and Arya Goggin (drums). They’ve been plying their individual form of reggae-metal now for over 25 years.
One of the most incredible live bands to grace the stage, Skindred always put on a hell of a show, always with the ubiquitous “Newport Helicopter” where fans stretch t-shirts over their heads before whirling them round their heads en-masse. A truly amazing sight ! We’ve seen them twice in the last year of so, headlining the stage at Rock City, and supporting Volbeat on the arena stage, and every show is just as good as the last, big stage or small. As Benji said “when I look out into the crowd, whether it’s in a small room or a festival crowd, the one thing I notice above all else is the smiles.” Well…. Here t is “Smiles” out tomorrow.
The new album is a great mix of styles, taking influences from reggae, metal, to rock, pop, electro and dub, creating perhaps their best collection of tracks so far. A party on vinyl.
The new album can be ordered HERE.
The album opens with Our Religion a mammoth of a track with heavy riffs and a pounding bassline, this one is made to be played live, a song about what they do, their religion, their purpose…. ploughing through even when doors were slammed shut in their faces. The emotion just drips from the track.
Next up is Gimme That Boom which was the first single released from the album and is already a staple part of their live shows, and it is pure Skindred, from it’s powerful drops, the reggae influence just oozes out of each line. The chorus is so infectious and is screaming for a crowd to be chanting our the lyrics, fists pumping in the air. It has a raw edge to it as well, making it earthy and powerful based on a real life experience Benji had with a fan who wanted a selfie while he was out shopping, regardless of who he was with or what he was doing. As Benji put says “in this day and age, people want you and they expect to get you on tap, constantly giving you that ‘boom’ so they can get their Instagram Likes up. It’s important to remember that people can't give you that ‘boom’ all the time. People think because they follow you on social media, they own you.”
One of my favourite tracks on the new album has to be Set Fazers. “With this song we’re boldly going where no ragga-metal has gone before. We come in peace, L.O.V.E and unity, to bring Skindred’s outergalactic sound-system to the infinite expanse of the cosmos.” It has a real dance influence and a fun element to it, especially in the video.
For the first 7 or 8 notes of Life That’s Free I thought I’d dropped into a Kate Bush song for a moment, but then it exploded again into a more pop, almost drum and beat kind of track, and Benji’s vocals take on a more mellow and atmospheric style for this one.
If I Could was inspired by the 2020 lockdown and it’s impact on us all. The reggae-metal is in full effect on this one, with tight rhyming lyrics, with a great sing-along rock chorus.
The next track L.O.V.E. (Smile Please) has a real fun element to it, and shows their reggae sunshine roots with brass taking a more central role. This one is yearning to be played at a beach party on full volume whether that be in Newport or the Caribbean ! . It’s fun, and bouncy and one of those tracks that just makes you want to stop and smile. Slap bang in the middle of the album, it shines like a ray of bright sunlight delivering a much needed dose of positivity, and LOVE.
The Caribbean flavour continues with This Appointed Love perhaps the slowest track on the album, but it’s yet another belter showcasing just how good reggae-metal can be.
As the album draws to a close we get Addicted on which the band highlight we all have some kind of addiction, whether it be, for some it’s the gym for others its drugs/alcohol. Here they describe what it’s like following their addiction, four guys dealing with the ups and downs of trying to make a way through the music business, doing what they love…… or need.
The final track is Unstoppable back to their full on high energy and powerful best, a grooving powerhouse of a track, which sees the boys standing proud, fighting against all those against them. As guitarist Mikey Demus explains “people have tried and failed to put us in a box we refuse to live in. Skindred has a determination and a tenacity to stay true to ourselves, and true to our fans. Skindred will not be ignored. We are Unstoppable!” Benji adds “we keep going and we keep pushing forward”. It’s a right blast of emotional energy and sums up what they’re all about perfectly. It also ties us right back to where we started with Our Religion a journey exploring what makes up and drives this band forwards.
It may be their eighth album, but the boys from Newport show no signs of slowing down. “Smile” is a great album, with a real mix of styles, sounds and influences. It’s great to see a band thriving and embracing what they’re about and singing about it loud and proud. A 9/10 from LiveWire Music.
Tracklist
Our Religion
Gimme That Boom
Set Fazers
Life That’s Free
If I Could
L.O.V.E. (Smile Please)
This Appointed Love
Black Stars
State of the Union
Addicted
Mama
Unstoppable
If you haven’t seen Skindred live yet, what are you waiting for ? One of the most enjoyable nights out at a show you could ever possibly have, they will be touring the new album throughout the UK and Ireland in October and November 2023, with support from Black Gold. They have also announced three headline shows for March 2024 in Manchester, Birmingham and a special show at Wembley Arena.
