The Skints – ‘Short Change’ EP

Their first material since working with close friend and renowned producer, Prince Fatty, who produced their 2013 album ‘Part and Parcel’, the three-track EP continues to exhibit the four-piece’s trademark punk-inspired East London reggae sound.  Which is a good thing in the current dizzy fast moving music scene, a strong music formula, signposts the band treading their own successful path with a clear and present identity. Josh Waters Rudge casting a gritty Cockney spell with his credible rap style, complemented by the rich tones of the multi-talented Marcia Richards (keys, saxophone, flute and melodica) and vocal talents of drummer Jamie Kyriakides, the track delivers topical lyrics that will appeal to listeners across the spectrums of pop, ska and grime.

The lead single, ‘The Cost Of Living Is Killing Me’, is a seemingly bittersweet ode to the current economic climate, it’s a worthy soundtrack and adds a different view, than statement  slogans like ‘Blame The Etonians’ but put more of an emotional, day to day reality of the cost. Clothed in a comfortable modern day reggae and all it can deliver. From the other two songs both are worthy but ‘Break Me Down feat. Jovel’ has more snap and a heavier dubbier feel that’s welcome. ‘Broken Hearted’ still works with neat Marcia vocals and Josh with a loser rap that punctuates the song well.

The ‘Short Change’ EP signals there’s more to come from The Skints, we hope, in 2014. 8.2/10
Steve Janes