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by DAN SOUTHALL
WELSH ragga-metal crew Skindred have built their career on a strong foundation of lyrical positivity and musical heaviness in a unique blend that hasn’t been successfully copied en masse like so many other varied forms of metal. This individuality has made their music very hit or miss across their recorded output, so what does this new one hold in store?
From the outset the energy is there on opener and album title track “You Got This”, but it immediately feels as though something is missing or forced, particularly the addition of the electronic element. Follow up track “Can I Get A” passes by before you have even noticed, until the album finally warms up three tracks in on “Born Fe Dis”. Here the punk energy and ragga influence that makes the band’s music stand out so much is on full show. Unfortunately, tracks like this one are few and far between.
Whatever previous album Smile had is missing or chasing similar approval. The energy levels and positivity are there, but the experimentation and pit-readiness just comes across as more forced than genuine. There are exceptions: the previously mentioned “Born Fe Dis”, its follow up “This is the Sound”, “Do it Like This” with its early Hed PE energy, “My People” with its obvious reach out to the fan base and super positive reggae groove of “Give Thanks”, that really is made for Sunday morning recovery. That leaves a solid half of the album as aimless, forced or boring.
If you are a longtime fan, I am sure we will disagree, and there is nothing wrong with fan service. There are plenty of bands that have made very long careers out of that, although here it just feels like them doing the same.
