Album Review: Skindred - 'Smile'
Welsh rockers Skindred release their 8th uplifting album ‘Smile’ that is sure to be the album of the summer.
When it came to make Skindred’s biggest, most reflective record to date, the Newport quadlet worked with producer Julian Emery, whose work with Nothing but Thieves illustrated his adeptness with dynamics and melodies. Drummer Arya explained that it had to be a British producer because they are a British band, they continue “We also wanted someone with songwriting chops, to slot in with the melodic sound that we have, who didn’t just have an ear for the melodies, but could contribute suggestions too. Julian has all those skills.” With engineering duties handled by Pete Hutchings, who has helped capture the superior sonics of the most recent releases from Royal Blood and Foals, and with the perfect team the next part of the puzzle was the songs.
Thankfully, writing for the upcoming album had begun back in 2019, between Skindred touring for their seventh album ‘Big Tings’ before the pandemic hit. The single ‘Set Fazers’ was one of the first tracks to emerge from the creative process as a compelling ball of hectic energy. Vocalist Benji jokes that instead of the set phasers to stun, they set them to fun which gave way to healthy productivity and made most of the tracks for ‘Smile by the time they entered the studio.
The first single that was release for ‘Smile’ is the earworm ‘Gimme That Boom’ where all four members of Skindred added their creative stamp and made the single the living embodiment of their unique chemistry that has enthralled fans for 25 years. “We draw upon the essence of what we are,” is how Benji puts it. “Some people follow a path, but we prefer to hack through the jungle!” ‘Gimmie That Boom’ deals with the selfish entitlement that has become so prevalent in this age of instant gratification. This is based on a frustrating encounter Benji had with a overfamiliar fan, he says that he was out shopping and could hear someone asking him for a picture, he continues "the person didn’t care who I was with or what I was doing - they just wanted their picture. 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.”
Skindred write songs that deal with big themes, from the worries of instant gratification to everyone having one addiction from the single ‘Addicted’ these addictions can be anything from the gym to the crack pipe. But not all of their songs have dark themes, and one subject they haven’t tackled until now is what it is like to be them, as one of the UK’s most exciting and unique acts. ‘Our Religion’ describes just that, from the sludgy colossus that gets bodies bouncing to tongue-in the cheek lyricism. On the track, Benji says “We’re doing this for the future generation of listeners. ‘Our Religion’ is setting out the stall of what we do as Skindred; this is our foundation. It’s our story too, about how long we’ve been doing this, and how it’s been a struggle over the years, having doors slammed in our faces on the road to where we are now. Listening to this track, the first thing I think about is being in Arya’s van in the early 2000s, being paid £50 and having to wait for the promoter to go to the cashpoint to get it. And we’re still here today, doing what we do, because we love it.”
Complimenting ‘Our Religion’, another earworm track ‘Unstoppable’ attests to the enduring power of a band that delivers a good time, no matter what. With Skindred constantly pushing forward and being unstoppable, even when vocalist Benji had his throat slashed and survived sepsis. Not only personal issues Skindred have pulled through, but they have also showed resilience from performing in pubs to now being in the biggest festivals and supporting bands like KISS.
It is clear, Skindred will forever have an outstanding legacy, and their music will forever encourage people and get them through the tough times. From listeners resonating with their music to the biggest crowds swinging t-shirts over their heads.
Words by Beth Simms
