The Streets return with first new album in 12 years, ‘The Darker The Shadow, The Brighter The Light’: Watch

Mike Skinner has announced a brand new The Streets album, ‘The Darker The Shadow, The Brighter The Light’, for release on 20th October. Listen to the first single, ‘Troubled Waters’, and watch the video, below.

The 15-track album will be the first full length LP from The Streets since 2011’s ‘Computers and Blues’. Set to arrive through 679 Recordings/Warner Music UK, it’s described as a “classic Streets album”, and will feature vocal contributions from longtime collaborators Kevin Mark Trail and Robert Harvey, as well as a track featuring Teef.

To accompany the announcement, Mike Skinner has shared a first taster from the record, ‘Troubled Waters’, which features his trademark storytelling lyricism alongside half-stepping beats. The album will also be accompanied by a feature film of the same name, which was written, directed, scored, and funded by Skinner. Described as a “tripped out noir murder mystery based in Londons’ clubland,” the film was shot at a number of locations across the country last year and will be initially screened at Everyman Cinemas throughout the UK. More details are to follow soon.

“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,” Skinner shared on the project. “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.”

Of the film, he added: “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.”

In support of the album, Skinner will embark on a UK headline tour kicking off on 26th October in Nottingham and culminating at London’s historic Alexandra Palace on the 16th November. Pre-order the album for early access to the UK tour pre-sale, check out the full dates below.

Last August, The Streets released a new EP, ‘Brexit At Tiffany’s’, on UK label Island Records, which featured three nostalgic anti-ballads. 2022 also marked the 20th anniversary of The Streets’ debut album, ‘Original Pirate Material’, which Skinner celebrated with a special edition re-release of the seminal project, featuring limited edition vinyl boxsets and merchandise.

‘The Darker The Shadow, The Brighter The Light’ will be released on 20th October. Listen to ‘Troubled Waters’ below.