Some people might try to tell you that music these days is predictable, but if you take a listen to even one track off Skinner’s debut full-length record, you’ll hear just how laughable that assumption is. New Wave Vaudeville showcases the eclectic style and talent of a multi-instrumentalist who has also mastered the skill set of production, making a big splash in the no wave-jazz-punk arena.

Setting the pace for the record, Skinner starts strong with the album’s title track New Wave Vaudeville – with the Latin-inspired bongo beat layered under groovy riffs and loud saxophone solos, he invites listeners to the spirit of the album “it’s the new wave of new/ it’s punker than punk/ and it’s funker than funk/ its rudely awakening you from your slump” – exactly what we need in the cold winter months. The album is energetic and chaotic, achieving a unique style onto itself that both audiophiles and dance floor lovers can come together over and enjoy.

On listening to tracks like the previously released Geek Love or Tell My Ma, you can instantly hear Skinner’s masterful twisting of inspirations from the likes of James Chance, The B-52s, Pixies with the type of Latin-inspired jazz stylings found on the 1996 Nu Yorica! Compilation.

Like a compilation album, New Wave Vaudeville covers a lot of ground in just ten tracks; his artistry shines through as the album maintains coherency alongside the ridiculousness of lyrics found in Sour Milk: ‘I couldn’t find my hat / so I started wearing lampshades’ while songs like Jesus Wore Drag – despite its wild title – take a more serious stance, examining the current dilemmas of society where people are persecuted for expressing themselves openly, like drag stars do.

Just as his musical decisions are fearless in their experimentation, lyrically Skinner doesn’t shy away from processing some of the horrors that come as part of the package deal of day-to-day life. Calling In Sick, for example, highlights a reality for so many of us who have to “work like a dog and get treated like shit”. This honesty pairs perfectly with the forceful bassline and cathartic shouty-singing.

New Wave Vaudeville sounds like a stubborn ray of sunlight that peaks through the dark wintry clouds and it will be interesting to see how it comes together in a live environment. Skinner and band will be on tour following this release, starting in Belfast on 5th February winding around the UK and Ireland to finish on 1st March in Kilkenny. If you like loud music and want to have a bit of craic, judging by this album – you’ll find yourself eager to dance and leaving filled with joy.

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