Title: Short Change EP
Format Reviewed: Limited Edition CD
Format Release: 24th March 2014
Reviewed By: Dan Stoten
It's a simple fact that The Skints are a band who, because of their sheer brilliance, always leave you wanting more. Whether they've just played a killer set at a gig or festival, whether you've just listened to one of their full-lengths, or even if you've had one of their tracks coming up on your iPod, you can quite happily listen to more, dance to more, and sing along to more.
It is for this reason that the Short Change EP is absolutely torturous. But by fuck it is the most beautiful torture...
What we have here is three tracks which show the East-London four piece in subtly different, yet equally incredible, lights. Opener The Cost Of Living Is Killing Me is the closest to previous releases, yet it still has a more driven, harder-line to it, despite the delightful melodies and laid-back ska-y vibes. Lyrically, as well, this is The Skints' call to arms, the message in the track clear for all to hear. It's catchy, it's real and it's gritty.
Without a doubt, the highlight for me is middle track Break Me Down, featuring up-and-coming rapper Jovel. Easily one of the best tracks I've heard in 2014, there is just something about this song which takes it above and beyond even the best five-star songs. As ever, Marcia's vocal is stunningly smooth, and the beautiful harmonies she is able to display here seem not only to be with her fellow bandmates, but also with the music, meaning the track works stunningly together. The bassline Jon delivers here as well is quite simply the most deliciously addictive bassline I've heard for a long time. It's so right that it makes me grin madly every time I listen to the song. You've then got Josh (and Jovel's) raps: as ever, adding a cheeky and edgy touch; while, as ever, Jamie's perfect drums and incredible vocal remain.
Broken Hearted is something very different from the band, perhaps a song which displays The Skints' pop sensibilities perfectly. It's a very relaxed, almost end-of-the-night-sing-and-sway-along type track, one which doesn't really touch much on the bands' typical reggae, dub, ska and punky style. However, that's not to say by any stretch it's a bad song. It sashays along beautifully, leading the listener down a sugar-sweet path with a soft, dreamy feel. Rhythmically the backing beat is quite harsh in it's delivery, but this is softened by Marcia's gentle vocal. It's a unique Skints track and a good one to end this teaser release on.
The Skints, then, have done it again. Showing clear progression, they have managed to stay close enough to their roots for any listener to identify any tracks here as a Skints one, while managing to move the game on yet again. If the Short Change EP is a hint at the band's future direction, then we are all in for further treats. Brilliant.
The Skints are on tour around mainland Europe 27th March - 27th April. The band play a number of UK festivals in the summer.
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