Skindred have finally released their long awaited album Smile, and it’s the summer album you’ve been waiting for. The Welsh reggae-metal band have spent the summer playing festivals and shows across the UK and Europe giving fans a taste of what’s in store on the album.
‘Our Religion’ kicks the album off with huge riffs, before Benji Webbe begins singing in his distinctive style. Right away your hit with a combination of reggae and rock most wouldn’t think to combine. Two of the singles are up next which will be familiar to anyone who has managed to catch Skindred this year. ‘Gimme That Boom’ and ‘Set Fazers’ have a metal kick, while still keeping the reggae feel intact making giving them a bounce.
‘If I Could’ received its live debut at their Download appearance earlier this summer and is one of the more varied tracks on the album. With a slower reprise that appears throughout the song, a giant chorus fit for arenas and a more familiar Skindred sound for the verses, ‘If I Could’ may easily become a fan favourite.
Another one of the singles is ‘L.O.V.E (Smile Please)’ and it is as far away from metal as you could possibly get. It’s a straight up feel good reggae track, however it has been a staple of their live set for a while now and everyone seems to love it.
‘State of the Union’ is another departure from rock/metal and even reggae and this time is closer to daft punk than anything else on the album. Probably the weakest track on the album, it would be interesting to see how it works in a live setting. ‘Addicted’ follows and again is less rock/metal with it having a pop feel to the verses, that’s forgotten by the chorus though which is a full-blown arena rocker.
‘Mama’ showcases the reggae side of the band again and with catchy hooks its yet another song destined to be played loud and outdoors in the summer. ‘Unstoppable’ is the final track and after a few tracks that dipped into reggae, pop and electronic the band close with a hard-hitting rock anthem.
Smile has so much variation that anyone can pick up the album and they will be able to find at least one song they like. Skindred have made an album that is guaranteed to put a smile on your face and also guaranteed to make you move.
Leaning further into the reggae sound than they ever have, the band have managed to balance metal/rock with reggae in a fusion that just shouldn’t work but somehow does. With their non-stop touring and now the release of Smile, Skindred have claimed Summer 2023 as their own.
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