The 44-year-old is still producing music light years ahead of his contemporaries with a feeling of authenticity not seen for a while. On ‘Troubled Waters’, Skinner demonstrates a highly skilled work of art.
Brimming with synths and the spirit of hair-standing dance music, Mike Skinner returns to announce a new album as well as fresh single Troubled Waters. The song hones in on the pessimism of life and the natural order of self-loathing, where it begins through the poetically charged words of subconscious workings: “lazy lurking, nursing my health, with the grape juice working, cursing the never…”
Speaking on the release of his new album titled The Darker The Shadow The Brighter The Light, Skinner relates the toil of collating his latest album and its additional creative outlets: “It has been seven long years working on this film and album. It’s something I’ve always wanted to do and after dipping my toe in with some shorts and music videos, I felt I was ready.”
The gap between his earlier album Computers and Blues was noticeable and unquestionably hit hard considering the lack of acclaim it received. No doubt this inspired a return to the drawing board for Skinner, who, now it seems, has come back with a repitched working of his traditional formula, complete with a music video and short film to emphasise the nature of his work: “I tried to go the traditional route for a bit, but it’s always served me better to follow my instincts and just get on with it myself, so I’ve directed it, acted in it, edited, sound mixed, funded, produced it all as well as written it. The album doesn’t exist without it.”
Skinner took his time before returning to music
The experience Skinner holds within his portfolio is evident, and, weighed against the fact he was not appreciated for what he deserved in his early years will mark what I hope is a return to the concepts of an artist who doesn’t rush anything. In his latest outing, the context and beauty from a book of rhymes broadly apt and for the modern era is appropriate, more so than ever before.
“Ultimately it’s all the fruits of a decade on the DJ circuit, watching people in clubs and back rooms, testing out beats and basslines to see what connected — and putting it all together into The Darker The Shadow The Brighter The Light.”
Based on what he has put forward for listeners and a new generation of music lovers, there should be no concerns provided he keeps in tune with the core of his artistry and disavows the lackadaisical cluster of 1-minute marker songs. However, we have only heard one song so far, so lets not get too excited.
When is The Streets’ touring?
Skinner revealed he will be touring this autumn, and ticket sales are available exclusively from his website going on sale Tuesday 18th July where you can register now.
The tour will begin this October following the release of the new album and short film. The final date is scheduled to take place at Alexandra Palace in London. Anyone can access tickets for pre-sale by purchasing a copy of the album before 5 pm on the date of its launch through The Streets’ official site.
Stanisland Magazine 
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