Words by Tene’ Young
British quartet The Skints pay homage to their homebase of London in their new video “This Town,” featuring Tippa Irie and Horseman. The presence of those veterans evokes London’s history of reggae, while The Skints represent the present and future of the genre. The minimalist, black-and-white video highlights showcases each group member, while brief scenes of London appear in the background. The lack of fancy visuals aren’t missed as the group’s quirky personalities and styles fill up the space.
The song’s combination of hip-hop and pop melody unites music tastes across the board creating a universal appeal, while remaining rooted in reggae. Produced by Prince Fatty (of Hollie Cook fame), the group’s upcoming album, FM, focuses on the band’s appreciation of radio, and the preservation of reggae music in all its forms. With appearances by the aforementioned Tippa Irie and Horseman as well as grime MC Rival, and comedian Rufus Hound, the sound of the album ranges from dancehall to Motown to rocksteady, while their easily relatable songwriting, ideas, and musicianship highlight the group’s growth.
FM is out on March 9th via Easy Star Records. Watch the video for “This Town” below, and let us know what you think in the comments.