The Music Tank

Mike Skinner, aka The Streets, is now at his fourth studio album release. Having broke through the UK musical scene akin to the early 2000’s UK-Garage invasion, Skinner did more than enough to mark an important step into an artist’s career: establishing his own sound. Most artists need a few albums under their belt in order to do so, it wasn’t the case for The Streets as his production followed a linear evolution throughout his first three records.

Everything is Borrowed
Never backing down on the exploration front, we get a glimpse of Jazz on tracks like I love you more (than you like me), which goes without saying, is not in the typical soundscape of Skinner. The usual choir-type chorus are intricate to the album, hear Heaven for the Weather or the title track Everything is Borrowed for examples. The result is one half of up-tempo songs mixed with an equal number of ballads à la Mike Skinner graced with piano, accordeon and strings.

Mike Skinner’s writing style and delivery help bring the emotions of the subjects matter to the forefront. While not as transcending as the storytelling style that made his second album “A Grand Don’t Come For Free” the critically acclaimed record it is, “Everything is Borrowed” works well as a roller-coaster of emotions, present as much in the music as in the lyricism.

This album is surely a segway into a more drastic sound change for The Streets. “Everything is Borrowed” plays as a testament of Mike Skinner pushing his own enveloppe into a result that will suit longtime fans as well as newcomers.

My bottom line: Pick this one up, it will grow on you!

Album highlights: Heaven for the Weather / Never Give In / I Love You More (Than You Like Me) *see video below