After 12 years since the last LP, British rapper Mike Skinner returns with familiar style that marked his debut Original Pirate Material (2002), of interweaving stories of candid spoken word, this time with a self-funded accompanying film based on the life of a DJ. It’s of course based on his extensive experience with his other job behind the decks, capturing its various highs and lows, late nights, drugs, relationships and loneliness, sprinkled with observational, confessional semi-prose. The music itself is low-key and minimal, sometimes simple piano chords, beats, samples or snatches of dance music, while on Walk of Shame, there’s a serving of country-style acoustic guitar. The overall effect, and intention, is like a spoken-word musical. At times it drags and feels a little indulgent, but at others Skinner still has a talent for some strong metaphors and vivid lines. Some of these include: “Alcohol is my medication tonight / An aneasthetic for the operation of life” (Each Day Gives); “Never get to attempt to steal my head / To write the perfect drunk text that I will regret / Trust your dog to always mind your house / But never trust your dog to ever mind a meal” (Bright Sunny Day); or the post-club night bus scene on Good Old Daze: “Surprised by a look / From some eyes that are up / Before their iPhone summons them / And I'm left looking / At eyes that shrug.” Other standouts include Walk of Shame, Troubled Waters and the title track. Dark and doleful, but also insightful. Out on Warner / 679 Recordings.
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