The Skints bring scorching summertime vibes to us in Mid-March in the form of their latest album, FM. A tribute to pirate radio culture,  FM is set on the hottest day on record and is broadcast from the fictional pirate radio station ‘The Big FM/ Frequency Murderation’.

Guest vocalist Tippa Irie opens up the album by welcoming listeners to his Breakfast Show before spinning  ‘This Town’. Tippa Irie himself features on the track alongside Horseman in what becomes a reggae anthem, celebrating the ups and downs of London living. ‘In The Night’ takes us to the grittier side of life in the Capital with it’s sharp bass. However, the stunning vocal harmonies between Marcia and Jamie against the pulsing guitar provides a throwback to The Skints’ earlier material. ‘Come To You’ is a light-hearted respite for FM which also gives Marcia a chance to showcase her honey-dipped vocals and ability to hit near-impossible high notes before the album turns towards urban warfare in ‘My War’.

The album pauses to take a call from a listener called Danny to The Big FM. Danny is hosting a dance party which has spun out of control and while he is distracted by talking to The Big FM, his friend runs of with all the cash he had made that night. ‘Friends & Business’ is a cynical look at the fake personalities in the music industry who are only out to make money, but with dancehall vibes and a catchy chorus. ‘Where Did You Go?’ then calms the album down by taking us back to reggae roots.

The Skints remind us how protest songs are still needed with ‘Tazer Beam’. “Rude boy, put away your tazer and gun” is the social message before – rather contradicting this –  an advert for ‘Bass-o-Matic’ speakers tell us their speakers are ‘the best way to anti-socially behave yourselves.’ However you won’t be needing the ‘Bass-o-Matic’ speakers for the breezy delight which is ‘Forest for the Trees’. Grime hour then kicks off on The Big FM, taking us down a darker path which warns listeners against liars, thieves and cheats. MC Rival guest features on the gritty lead track of the album ‘Eye’s In The Back Of My Head’ with it’s ominous bass line capturing the mood. However the steel drums and rousing pop chorus of ‘Got No Say’ soon lifts the album into a lighter place.

Despite the cynicism and tales of urban strife scattered across the album, FM ends on a note of love and optimism in the steady reggae track of ‘Tomorrow’ which tells us to take it easy in this world of modern pressures. Although The Skints have stripped away much of the raw, punk riffs that dominated their earlier albums, the ethos of punk-reggae still remains consistent. The ska beats and reggae vibes mixed in with the grime influence creates an album that anyone struggling with the pressures of urban living can easily relate to.

FM is released on 8th March via Easy Star Records.

Nicky Lee-Delisle

@ManicNicky