Ragga

Week 18: Skindred- You Got This

~ honestopinions19 ~ Leave a comment

Yes! What a fucking victory for music. Skindred reached No.1 with “You Got This”, an album that defines them over more than 2 decades. Groove, swagger, and pure energy. It’s colourful, loud, and full of attitude. Frontman Benji Webbe displays his charisma on every track.

Anyway. Let’s begin with a brief of the band from Newport, Cymru.  They’re known for combining metal, reggae, punk, and electronic influences, earning them the “ragga metal” moniker. They formed in the late 90s and have since built a reputation for high-energy music, blending heavy riffs, rhythmic groove, and socially conscious lyrics.

Their frontman, Benji Webbe, is the engine that drives them with his larger-than-life presence and versatile vocals. He shifts from singing, shouting, and dancehall-style toasting with consummate ease, which gives the band its distinctive edge.

“Babylon” was their breakthrough album, before they later gained mainstream success with “Kill the Power” and “Smile”. Outside of the studio, they’re known for their memorable live shows, where raw energy and crowd interaction collide.

That’s the introduction over; let’s return to the review.

The mood is set from the start with the opening title track, with its big, anthemic sound. The song conveys a message of resilience, driven by heavy riffs, explores real-life struggles, and offers encouragement.

The mix of toughness and positivity drives the record on, giving it a motivational vibe.

Catchy hooks and strong rhythms, ready for their live shows, featured heavily on ‘Can I Get A’  and ‘This is the Sound’. Their full mix signature sound, consisting of metal, reggae, and punk, is on full display, transitioning smoothly from heavy riff and dancehall grooves. It certainly makes you want to bounce along to the beat.

I have always loved the band’s raw attitude, and that stands out on ‘Born fe Dis’ and ‘Do It Like This’. They are cocksure and confident, reaffirming the band’s identity.

The album isn’t just frenetic; there are slow moments with the ska- and dub-inspired ‘Broke’ and ‘Glass’. The band still maintains its edge. The underlying grit is still present, so you know it’s Skindred.

Benji Webbe always bring the grit. His delivery features catchy melodies, fast toasting, and powerful shouting, keeping the listener on their toes. Benji isn’t just performing the tracks; he is taking control.

His presence alone gives the record its heartbeat. Songwriting may feel familiar, but his energy keeps everything urgent and lively.

As the album winds down, ‘Big ‘Em Up’, ‘My People’, and ‘Give Thanks’ bring unity and celebration into focus, highlighting the band’s connection and positive message. Tracks designed to be shouted out, with a crowd, and enjoyed together.

The only minor downside is the record’s repetitive nature. If you can even find fault with it.

Skindred know their sound and stick to what they do best, so some songs might feel like they’re initially blended together. However, that familiarity makes them appealing. You come for it, and they always deliver.

Ring Out:

“You Got This” displays Skindred at their best: energetic, blending genres, and raw emotion fused with passion. It doesn’t reinvent the wheel, and doesn’t need to.

Benji Webbe makes the album an enjoyable listen alongside the band’s raw, infectious attitude. One to be enjoyed whether in a mosh pit, at a festival/concert, or at home with the volume on full.

Song recommendations: ‘Born fe Dis’, ‘Do It Like This’, ‘You Got This’

9/10

Week 41: Ren- Sick Boi

~ honestopinions19 ~ Leave a comment

The first I heard of Ren was when the Welsh rapper/vocalist/guitarist/songwriter, who is Brighton-based, released a video on social media saying how surprised he was that he might get the top spot this week. From there, I checked out his material and loved it. I fucking love “Sick Boi”. It is choc-full of wittiness, wordplay, sarcasm, comedy, and profound moments. There is even a sample of Barrington Levy’s ‘Murderer’, which appropriately carries the same name. This record talks about Ren’s years of being in bed with some physical illness, and I think he is borderline schizophrenic from what I have read. I know he mentions depression and feeling suicidal on the album.

I forgot to mention that Ren does spoken word, too, which shines throughout. His songs are both funny and serious. You will notice in his songs that he changes his vocal delivery. He puts on soft vocals for the good side, and for the evil side, he is more nasal. He also uses an array of vocal deliveries to represent what verse you are listening to. I could name most, but you will get the gist once you have listened to what I am saying. The change-up in rhythm to his vocals is just impressive, plus he sometimes gets out the acoustic guitar. I loved ‘Down on the Beat’, ‘Animal Flow’, and even tender moments like ‘Suicide’. This album is mad because you get to see Ren battle himself brutally and honestly. However, don’t be put off by his mental health issues because he is one talented guy. The mainstream has been sleeping on him. It is excellent he is finally getting the recognition he so richly deserves. Hopefully, “Sick Boi” getting to number one will help his convalescence.

Song recommendations: ‘Suicide’, ‘Down on the Beat’, ‘Animal Flow’

9/10

Week Twenty-Two: the 1975- Notes on a Conditional Form

~ honestopinions19 ~ Leave a comment

The 1975 sleeve

I remember hearing about this band in 2013 and giving them a chance, but I didn’t think they lived up to the hyperbole they were getting. I couldn’t stand their song on FIFA 14 either and removed it from my playlist. And would they have got on if it wasn’t for their leader Matt Healy being born with the mother-of-pearl spoon in his mouth? It certainly helps when your parents are well-known British actors. It also helps they came along when the rock side of music was not really doing a lot.

The opening track, named after the band, features a piano with a speech given by Greta Thunberg at one of her many climate change rallies. I might not believe in everything she says, but I admire her passion. Climate change is just a case of nature taking its course, but it certainly doesn’t help when you’ve got fucking idiots drilling huge holes in the ice for research. If I were the scientists, I’d suggest they leave the drilling well alone. Of course, that will agitate the ice and cause it to break up.

The next track I will mention is “People” It has shite elementary lyrics, but the drum beat reminded me very much of Blur’s “Song 2” and a very unusual assault for the band into the punk genre. I never had them down as a punk band or even attempting to do punk. “the End” is just one of those fucking pointless throwaways that are known as interludes. This one is just a short-stringed instrumental. That then leads us into “Frail State of Mind”, which, in my opinion, is a failed attempt to appeal to the fans of the garage genre. It didn’t work, lads. It’s not your forte.

“Streaming” is just another stringed instrumental interlude. “Yeah I Know” is yet another failed attempt at appealing to the club scene with its garage element. Seriously, lads, leave well alone.

“Then Because She Goes” is trying to emulate the indie scene of the 1990s, with this track sounding like the Wannadies smash hit “You and Me Song”. “Shiny Collarbone” is trying once again to break into the club scene with this house instrumental with a ragga sample chucked in. “If You’re too Shy (Let Me Know)” is very 1980s.

The final two tracks I am going to mention are “Playing on My Mind”, which sees the band take time out to reflect and bring the tone down of the music by going acoustic and “Having No Head”, which is dance music that is ideal for a child’s disco.

I was thoroughly bored listening to this double-disc record; most of the time, the album didn’t hold my attention, and I wondered what my review would look like and if it would be even long enough. I cannot stand the band; I don’t understand the hyperbole surrounding them, and this album hasn’t changed my view.

Many of the fucking idiots who follow them will be like, “You’re just trying to be ‘edgy’ and ‘cool’ by saying you don’t like them”, but it IS actually true. I cannot stand them. My dislike of their music is genuine. Others might be like little sheep and follow, but I have my own mind, which tells me I do not like their music.

4/10