The Streets The lasting popularity of The Streets first two albums means that Skinners return is exciting. But his new offering is not an attempt to relive past glories. Instead The Streets heads in a fresh direction, working alongside a wealth of less-established artists from a range of musical scenes. The result is a diverse and experimental record that is much more dreamlike than Skinners earlier, earthier work. Some of the best music on this record was produced in collaboration with artists influenced by psychedelia. Collaborators include psych-rock act Tame Impala and the incredible London soul singer Greentea Peng. There are brilliant contributions from hip-hop and grime stars such as Ms Banks and Donaeo. Skinner also brings in less prominent rappers such as Kasien and Jesse James Solomon. The album offers moments of experimental brilliance. But the cutting lyrics of earlier records are sadly missing. The Streets debut Original Pirate Material and the subsequent A Grand Dont Come For Free mined sharp observations from the mundanity of every life. It reflected the lives of young working class people at the time with wit and dazzling wordplay. The Streets description of a hedonistic youth culture of pubs, clubs and drugs always pointed over its shoulder to the underlying realities of Britain under Tony Blair. Deep-seated urban decay, as the song Has It Come To This had it. Regrettably it also sometimes played to the lad culture of the early 00s. The way that The Streets fitted that moment in British society propelled Skinner to fame. This time many of the lyrics are vacuous, even if they occasionally offer a pretence of depth. If God had have dropped acid would God see people? sounds profound at first but ultimately means nothing. Accompanying music videos reference Black Lives Matter and coronavirus extensively. But theres not much musical effort to express the mood of these strange times. For those of us to who Skinners lyrics once spoke, this will be a disappointment. Richard Donnelly |