“We got the vibes and the vibes is good.“
Skindred mark their 25th anniversary with the release of their eighth studio album, Smile. With their unique blend of reggae and metal, this record pulls together everything that is so beloved about this band; there is variation throughout and not a single track that would fail to increase their pull as a live band. It’s been a stellar year for the Newport quartet, who scooped the award for Best UK Live Artist at the Heavy Music Awards, and followed the win with a last-minute headline slot on the Opus Stage at Download20 to an absolutely packed crowd after Five Finger Death Punch pulled out. Judging by that crowd there weren’t many people who felt short-changed by the switch, and that is a testament to their popularity as it was the fourth consecutive year that they have played on the hallowed grounds of Donington Park.
Partnering with producer Julian Emery (Nothing But Thieves, Simple Plan) this collection is dynamic, pulling on Emery’s ability to blend genres without losing energy or atmosphere, and thus allowing Benji Webbe’s energetic and upfront delivery to carry momentum throughout.
Heavily downtuned chords from guitarist Mikey Demus bring us straight into “Our Religion“. It’s cohesive as ever and exactly what every fan would want, and expect, from the Welsh rockers. Rhythmic and thumping riffs reinforce the energy that Webbe never fails to bring to the ‘party’. “Gimme That Boom” is every bit the anthem the title would suggest, and I’d go so far as to say could well be Smile’s version of “That’s My Jam“. Whether you’re happy, angry, sad or simply need bringing up a little, this track will definitely have your spirits lifted and energised in some way, shape, or form. It’s classic Skindred and will no doubt get a whole room bouncing within seconds. “Set Fazers” is a brilliant example of the fusion of reggae and metal that the band are so well known for, with the verses predominantly led by the former style. Still, the track is able to effortlessly and effectively move into satisfying breakdowns.
Channelling elements of The Mindsweep/A Flash Flood of Colour-era Enter Shikari, “Life That’s Free” is carried by some fantastic work from drummer Arya Goggin alongside the introduction of keys and a great bassline from Daniel Pugsley. It’s a palpable celebration of life and a statement of refusal to live to satisfy the gaze of others: “living a life that’s free without your constant complications.” Whilst it’s a common message within alternative genres, it really is one that we should all keep in mind, and is handled with a mature edge.
“If I Could” was inspired by the challenges of COVID-19 and how frankly awful those years were for everyone. Had this been released during the pandemic, it would have resonated for many people. Unusually, the chorus is in fact the ‘lightest’ moment of the track from a musical perspective; it is a clever technique, allowing the clarity and simplicity of the message to be delivered incredibly coherently and to be the focal point.
“L.O.V.E“, by contrast, is just a fun time for everyone. It’s joyful and uplifting with Caribbean beats throughout. Having seen this performed live at both Download 2022 and Download20, it is an absolute crowd pleaser and looking from left to right there was not one person without a smile on their face. As a live performance it is another moment where Webbe shows the extraordinary capability he has to hold a huge crowd in the palm of his hand, a fact no one can take away from him. “This Appointed Love” follows fittingly on the track listing, reverting back to the reggae/metal formula. Between this track and its predecessor, it’s well demonstrated just how much diversity this combination can offer.
“Black Stars“, “State Of The Union“, and “Addicted” are most certainly the most socio-political tracks on the record, with the former opening in a choral fashion: “black stars and stripes / they are hurting / it’s time that we start learning.” There can be absolutely no mistake that this is in reference to the Black Lives Matter movement brought into global consciousness in 2020; it’s confronting in exactly the way it should b, and makes a strong statement both verbally and musically.
“State Of The Union” is a perfect segue to “Addicted“, which moves into the discussion about society’s obsession with the material, instant gratification, and likely the darker sides of addiction such as substance abuse: “we’re all addicts / we’re all addicts / we got to have it cos we only want to stop the pain.” “Mama” is a lilting and a touching track, unabashed in its praise of women and motherhood. It is a perfect penultimate track before “Unstoppable” brings things to a close perfectly, wrapping up the record with tribal-sounding rhythms coupled with words of determination and defiance.
Whether you’re a committed fan, a lover of their live shows, or even indifferent, there is something on this album for everyone. It will make you want to get up and dance whilst retaining enough sincerity and reflection to enjoy it on a deeper, more emotional plane should you choose to do so. Most of all, it will certainly make you smile. The latter is a driving force behind Skindred at all times: “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.” If there is one thing you can be sure of, it is Skindred’s unique ability to unite people through their music. If you’ve never experienced this live I implore you to do so, even if only once, during their tour for this record. Cast off whatever doubts you may hold and go and have fun; I promise that you will.
8/10
Smile releases August 4th via Earache Records.