Mike Skinner announces the first full length The Streets album since “Computers and Blues” in 2011. Accompanied by Skinner’s debut Feature Film of the same name, The Darker The Shadow, The Brighter The Light, the album has a set release for October 20th via 679 Recordings/Warner Music UK Ltd .
In celebration of the upcoming album, The Streets share a first taste from the record, “Troubled Waters”, and in support of the album Skinner will also embark on a headline UK tour beginning on the 26th of October, culminating at London’s historic Alexandra Palace on the 16th of November.
The Darker The Shadow, The Brighter The Light album is a classic Streets album – filled with Skinner’s trademark lyrical wizardry and beats honed over a decade of building his other career as a legitimate bass/rap DJ in clubs – all songs written by Skinner but featuring vocal contributions from longtime collaborators Kevin Mark Trail and Robert Harvey, as well as a track featuring Teef. The songs on the album soundtrack the film and also play the role of narrator of the film at times – and whilst neither the album or film exist without each other – both can be enjoyed separately. Speaking on the album, Skinner notes:
It has been seven long years working on this film and album. It’s something I’ve always wanted to do and after dipping my toe in with some shorts and music videos, I felt I was ready. I tried to go the traditional route for a bit, but it’s always served me better to follow my instincts and just get on with it myself, so I’ve directed it, acted in it, edited, sound mixed, funded, produced it all as well as written it. The album doesn’t exist without it. Ultimately it’s all the fruits of a decade on the DJ circuit, watching people in clubs and back rooms, testing out beats and basslines to see what connected – and putting it all together into ‘The Darker The Shadow The Brighter The Light.’
Euphoria-inducing synthesiser stabs cascade through the first taster from the record, “Troubled Waters”, underpinned by Skinner’s trademark lyrical flair. A minimalistic half-step beat provides the backdrop to the gritty realism of Skinner’s storytelling, which fervently advances with a rapid changing of pace. Stripped back drum and bass rattles with the track as the arrangement unfolds into its latter stages.
“The Darker The Shadow, The Brighter The Light” film is a tripped out noir murder mystery based in Londons’ clubland. Skinner has written, directed, shot, edited, scored, funded, and even created his own special effects on the film, shooting at a number of different locations in 2022 across the UK. The film will initially be screened on dates to be announced at Everyman Cinemas throughout the UK, more details to follow soon.
Upcoming Live Dates
26th Oct – Nottingham @ Rock City
27th Oct – Manchester @ O2 Victoria Warehouse
28th Oct – Sheffield @ O2 Academy
2nd Nov – Glasgow @ O2 Academy
3rd Nov – Newcastle @ O2 City Hall
4th Nov – Leeds @ O2 Academy
9th Nov – Liverpool @ The Mountford Hall
10th Nov – Birmingham @ O2 Academy
13th Nov – Norwich @ The Nick Rayns LCR
14th Nov – Bournemouth @ O2 Academy
16th Nov – London @ Alexandra Palace
