A first LP for nearly a decade by the acclaimed London rock band, back after two members have undergone cancer treatment, and with a bold, stylish, more experimental sound inspired by producer David Sitek of TV on the Radio, but still packing plenty of articulate, passionate, defiant, candid punch, especially with singer Skin at their forefront. The rock on which their 90s fame here is re-channelled into a variety of synth-rock, ska, pop, dub and more with an occasional dash of piano, but this is still indisputably Skunk Anansie, channelling all kinds of pain, particularly as the album was recorded with drummer Mark Richardson was still recovery and bassist Cass undergoing chemotherapy. From the excellent opener An Artist Is An Artist (a cri de coeur against ageism for constant creativity), emotional turmoil on Shame, in which Skin sings: “I got the love from my mother, the pain from my dad”); or the upbeat waves of euphoria on My Greatest Moment. Other standouts include Cheers, Lost and Found, Animal and closer Meltdown in an arc of ups and downs, and dynamic changes in volume and style. Pain is art, art is pain. They continue because they must. Great to have Skunk Anansie back, still with much to say, and different ways to say it. Out on Frontiers Records/FLG.
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