Skindred – You Got This
Release Date: 17th April 2026
Record Label: Earache Records
There are few bands that have managed to maintain as much love in their career as Skindred. It’s more than 20 years since Babylon released, ragga metal became a thing and British music was changed forever. Now, back with album number nine and a trimmed-down line-up, the band have cemented their transition from Roots Rock Riot‘s anger at the world, to a continuation of recent album’s desire to spread love and unity. That and a bit of a whinge because times are tough and money is not as plentiful as anyone would like.
One thing Skindred have always done is frontload their albums. Babylon opened with ‘Nobody’ and ‘Pressure’, Roots Rock Riot had the song of the same name and ‘Trouble’. You Got This follows suit with the title track kicking off proceedings, followed by ‘Can I Get A’. Two songs that are about as Skindred as you can get. ‘You Got This’ has airs of ‘Warning’, packed with energy and insanely catchy with a repeated lyric that instantly becomes an affirmation. When you add in a little AC/DC tribute too, this is an instant quintessential Skindred banger.
From there the album becomes one of Skindred’s most relatable in years. ‘Can I Get A’ and ‘Broke’, both refer to when times get tough and money isn’t as forthcoming as it could be. The former showcases poor decisions made in youth when five finger discounts were the name of the game, whereas ‘Broke’ is somewhat the reverse of the same frustratingly low valued coin as it highlights the frustration of working yourself to the bone for pittance. Times may not be as tough anymore (though they may well be given the state of the music industry), but this is a timely reminder that not all of the bands out there are middle class folk cosplaying as rockstars.
Now, don’t go into this thinking You Got This is a big old ‘woe is me’, whingefest. Far from it in fact, the album as a whole is more of an ‘appreciate yourself, those around you and the life you have’ than anything so self-indulgent. ‘Big Em Up’ takes time to recognise fans that have stuck around with the band through the years on a track that in just a few minutes manages to pick out elements of all eight previous releases, official album closer ‘Give Thanks’ does exactly what it says on the tin in a deliciously 90s-inspired reggae-pop-rock saunter. Music conjures up feelings that you didn’t realise were there and ‘Give Thanks’ is summer sunshine. For those that have ordered the USB version of the album, the bonus track, ‘Dred Or Alive’, has a wonderful old school R&B undercurrent, one that makes the catchier than it has any right to be and it would be a shame if this one didn’t make it into the live set at some pint.
So there we are, nine albums in and Skindred are still able to spring surprises on top of the riffs, the reggae and the humour. You Got This is vintage Skindred. Webbe’s personality shines through as always, there are bouncy singalong moments in abundance but they also make sure to take a few moments to slow things down and take stock. If there’s one thing you take from You Got This, it should be the central theme of ‘Give Thanks’, epitomised by the line “every day you’re alive you’ve got another chance to give thanks”.
Rating: 7/10
Recommended Track: This Is The Sound