The Streets - The Darker The Shadow The Brighter The Light (Album Review)
Friday, 20 October 2023
Written by Jack McGill
Mike Skinner, clipper lighter aficionado, DJ and the mind behind The Streets, has been slipping in and out of the zeitgeist for decades, soundtracking lost nights and reflective mornings. On ‘The Darker The Shadow The Brighter The Light’ he shows his words have lost none of their potency.
When we think of The Streets, the artwork for 2002’s ‘Original Pirate Material’ is at the forefront, with a deadpan “lockdown your aerial” not far behind. A couple of decades on, it’s remarkable how vibrant Skinner’s whole approach still is.
His vocal delivery remains as offbeat as ever and his distinctive style is comfortably the most remarkable attribute of his new album. His searching monotone is key to the framing of his observations across 15 tracks that place him in different musical spaces.
Amid the urgency of Troubled Waters’ instrumental, the calmness in Skinner's voice is grounding. “It’s part of human nature to hate the man you’ve hurt,” he intones over a skittering beat and urgent keyboard stabs.
With all of the messages and stories to be found in ‘The Darker The Shadow The Brighter The Light’ — Each Day Gives is touted as nostalgic and mindful, revolving around social media, while Funny Dream delves into drunken lust — Skinner’s acknowledgement of them is just that.
It’s not an opinion or feeling, but an observation of behaviours. He strings thoughts together from one track to the next in a neutral light, removed from the situation by the ever calm voice of reason. Skinner strikes again, and The Streets are undoubtedly back on top form.
The Streets Upcoming Tour Dates are as follows:
Sun October 22 2023 - BELFAST Telegraph Building
Mon October 23 2023 - DUBLIN 3Olympia Theatre
Tue October 24 2023 - DUBLIN 3Olympia Theatre
Thu October 26 2023 - NOTTINGHAM Rock City
Fri October 27 2023 - MANCHESTER O2 Victoria Warehouse
Sat October 28 2023 - SHEFFIELD O2 Academy Sheffield
Thu November 02 2023 - GLASGOW O2 Academy Glasgow
Fri November 03 2023 - NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE O2 City Hall
Sat November 04 2023 - LEEDS O2 Academy Leeds
Thu November 09 2023 - LIVERPOOL Liverpool Uni Mountford Hall
Fri November 10 2023 - BIRMINGHAM O2 Academy Birmingham
Sat November 11 2023 - BIRMINGHAM O2 Academy Birmingham
Mon November 13 2023 - NORWICH Nick Rayns LCR
Tue November 14 2023 - BOURNEMOUTH O2 Academy Bournemouth
Thu November 16 2023 - LONDON Alexandra Palace
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