Skindred — Smile — Album Review
Metal | Punk | Rock | Reggae
Listen on Spotify | Listen on Apple Music
Skindred have always made a statement as quite the unique band, thanks to their signature blend of nu-metal and reggae elements. And while I had known Skindred by name for a very long time, it was really through their 2018 album Big Tings that I fully started listening to their discography.
On top of that, I managed to catch Skindred at Reading Festival on what I believe to be the same year (and might have caught a small chunk of their performance in 2016 as well, but that’s neither here nor there). One thing that is clear, however, is that these guys know how to entertain.
That entertaining sentiment is what really makes up the bread and butter of Skindred’s music. While there is obviously a non-serious and campy anthemic element to their tunes, the fact that Skindred manage to make such heavy music so feel-good at the same time is something to be respected.
That sentiment was rife on Big Tings, and effortlessly transfers over to their newest album. Titled Smile, it was clear from the get-go what this album was trying to achieve; to spread positivity through their reggae metal blend of sounds.
And while the positive vibes of Smile are front and centre, Skindred still manages to offer a little something for everyone through this record, covering a good range of moods, from heartfelt to angry. Yet all of these tracks managed to have a positive twist to them, thanks to the album’s overlying theme.
But while I definitely appreciate this versatility they had brought to the table with this record, and the album as a whole doing its best to hold it together, you do get moments of the record where the moods change quite suddently, which did take me out of the moment once or twice.
And, of course, I know that this album is not meant to be taken too seriously, but I wound up not getting too engrossed in the project as a result.
With the effort to bring something for everyone on this record definitely being present, the project still feels like a Skindred project through and through. And depending on whose listening, this could be for better or for worse. I for one, despite not listening to Skindred for as long as quite a few others, still feel quite familiar with their overall aesthetic. So in short, while this album undoubtedly brings the fun, the standout quality of this record, in comparison to previous projects, does still feel quite tame.
I feel that the tracks that I wound up gravitating towards the most were the ones that blended the band’s stylistic influences most successfully (with tracks like “This Appointed Love” and “State of the Union” being good examples). Nevertheless, Skindred certainly manage to divide things up more evenly than the likes of Big Tings.
In conclusion, Smile is an album that does leave me feeling a little indifferent, with the pure fun sentiment of the project being its biggest pro, and the overall flow of the record likely being its biggest con for me. Nevertheless, it is a record that all different kinds of fans will still enjoy highly.
Favourite Tracks: Our Religion | Set Fazers | This Appointed Love
Least Favourite Track: L.O.V.E (Smile Please)
Earache Records
