Skunk Anansie - The Painful Truth (FLG 
Records)
Release Date: Out Now
I think it's probably about time that we raised Skunk Anansie up to be one of the most fiercely praised in UK music history for so many reasons but let's focus on the new album as the most recent evidence, shall we? 'The Painful Truth' hits the ground strutting on the call to artistic arms of 'An Artist Is An Artist' which fizzes with punk energy, bounces with rock'n'roll bravado and positively bubbles with spoken word meet gritted teeth vocal delivery. On 'This Is Not Your Life' there is a sense of post-punk in the synths'n'beats delivery while recent single 'Shame' is a slower but still powerful ballad that puts me in mind of some of Annie Lennox's solo work.
The piano stabs of 'Lost and Found' set a theatrical tone with Skin singing "smoke 'em if you got 'em" like someone waiting on death row. Despite the title, 'Cheers' has nothing to do with the American sit-com but is, in fact, a driving and determined slice of indie rock'n'roll fuelled by anger and injustice in the classic Skunk Anansie style. The skank of 'Shoulda Been You' leads you into a false sense of security before the big, bounce along chorus hits you like a truck and then 'Animal' goes and hits you with the standout song on the album full of caged up energy and the kind of chorus that should be gracing a stadium stage.
Taking Katy Perry's idea a step further, 'Fell In Love With A Girl' has a brooding, stalking energy to it like a panther only visible in the neon city lights reflecting off its sleek, shiny fur. The bold, lurching melody of 'My Greatest Moment' is Muse-esque in its grandiosity while closing track 'Meltdown' is surprisingly calm as the soft piano notes and Skin's deftly delivered vocal bring you the raw emotion of a true meltdown - no histrionics or attention seeking here, just a pure collapse of every sense. This is a rollercoaster of emotions captured in an album but you feel safe with Skunk Anansie at the helm - like when your mate takes you to a seedy bar where they are known to all the locals. It's uncomfortable but never out of control.
More information: https://www.facebook.com/OfficialSkunkAnansie
Live Dates:
Aug 10th London, Gunnersbury Park w/ Smashing Pumpkins
Aug 14th Colchester Castle Summer Series w/ Smashing Pumpkins