British Rock Icons SKUNK ANANSIE Release New Album 'The Painful Truth' — Out Now via FLG Records

May 23, 2025

Today, British rock icons SKUNK ANANSIE have released their long awaited brand new album, 'The Painful Truth.' To celebrate, the band has also released the focus track, "Shame," which is accompanied by a visualizer available to view below.

'The Painful Truth' is a truly mesmerizing, provocative, powerful and emotional album. It is the sound of SKUNK ANANSIE facing up to who they are and what they want to become. It is more than an album title, it's a reality that they have lived through and has been greeted by rapturous reviews.

Watch the Visualizer for “Shame” Below;

Produced by David Sitek of TV On The Radio fame, 'The Painful Truth' is a fresh, frank, uplifting, and richly textured album that proves SKUNK ANANSIE’s knack for writing big pop songs remains defiantly undiminished. If anything, their hooks are sharper than ever, sinking in quicker and hitting harder.

'The Painful Truth' marks SKUNK ANANSIE’s first release on the newly formed FLG Records, and it carries a vitality that belies their storied career and multi-platinum achievements. With 'The Painful Truth,' SKUNK ANANSIE boldly reclaim their place as one of the most exciting, visionary, and essential bands in British music.

On the new album, Skin confesses:

“When I really think about it, yes, we have made some good records in our time but it’s been a long time since we have made a great album. And that is the painful truth. Understanding that, led us to making what I genuinely think is our greatest record yet.”

Order 'The Painful Truth' HERE

Full details for all live performances can be found HERE

About SKUNK ANANSIE:

SKUNK ANANSIE formed in 1994 in London, and are a truly seminal band. One of the first multi-racial British rock bands, they are known for their powerful sound and thought-provoking lyrics. Fronted by the charismatic and dynamic vocalist Skin, the band blends alternative rock with elements of punk and metal. They remain one of the most important and influential bands of their era.

Their debut album ‘Paranoid & Sunburnt’ (1995) and its follow up ‘Stoosh’ (1996) both hit the Top 10 album chart in the UK, and with hits like “Weak” and “Hedonism,” they established themselves on the international stage, helped by their stunning live performances. In 1999, SKUNK ANANSIE closed the decade off in style by releasing their third studio album, ‘Post Orgasmic Chill’ and headlining Glastonbury Festival, before surprisingly going on a lengthy hiatus in 2001.

The band reconvened in 2008 to embark on the second chapter of their career, releasing three acclaimed albums - 2010’s ‘Wonderlustre,’ 2012’s ‘Black Traffic’ and 2016’s ‘Anarchytecture.’ In 2019, the band marked their 25th anniversary with ‘25LIVE@25,’ a live album that brings together the greatest songs from their six studio albums.

Throughout their career, SKUNK ANANSIE have sold over five million records around the world. The band’s international prominence continues to thrive today, selling out live arenas and headlining festivals across the continent, and now with ‘The Painful Truth’ receiving rave reviews around the world, SKUNK ANANSIE are back at the peak of their powers.

British Rock Icons SKUNK ANANSIE Release New Single "Animal" + Music Video

April 30, 2025

Today, British rock icons SKUNK ANANSIE have released their brand new single, "Animal"! Electronically driven, dark and moody, it has proved an absolute smash hit on the band’s recent sold-out UK & European tour. It possesses an instant classic chorus that has seen fans chanting along within moments of first hearing it. The song is the latest track to be taken from the band’s forthcoming album 'The Painful Truth,' out on May 23 via FLG.

The on-stage performance video for "Animal" is an intense blur of close-up imagery, flashing lights, and treated visuals that capture the claustrophobic tension and pulsating drama that drives the song along. It was filmed on tour by the band’s videographer India Fleming and edited by Shea McChrystal.

Skin comments:

“So delighted for this track to finally be released as it was a fan fave during the tour and went down a storm! Hope you all like it too.”

Watch the Music Video for “Animal” Below":

'The Painful Truth' is a truly mesmerising, provocative, powerful, and emotional album demonstrating a band at the absolute peak of their powers, yet with everything to prove. It is the sound of SKUNK ANANSIE facing up to who they are and what they want to become. It is more than an album title. It is a reality that they have lived through.

A radical record made for these uncertain times, 'The Painful Truth' is SKUNK ANANSIE’s first release on the newly formed FLG Records, and it comes with a freshness that belies their storied career and previous multi-platinum achievements. It’s a record that will see SKUNK ANANSIE reclaim their place as one of the most exciting, visionary, and important bands in British music.

Having just completed the aforementioned UK & European tour, the band has been announced as the headline act for The Independent newspaper’s stage at The Great Escape Festival on Friday, May 16. Taking place at The Old Market, it shines a spotlight on groundbreaking artists, and there is no better example of that than SKUNK ANANSIE, who are globallycelebrated for addressing political and social issues through their music, breaking racial and gender barriers in rock. Their influence extends beyond music, contributing to discussions on identity, equality, and activism.

SKUNK ANANSIE will also be playing a very special headline show near Bristol on the day of the album release (May 23rd). It takes place at Good Times at The Ridings, Chipping Sodbury, and the band will be supported by Republica (tickets HERE)

The band has another run of huge European headline shows this summer before appearing as Special Guests in the UK at the two outdoor Smashing Pumpkins shows in August.

Aug 10th London, Gunnersbury Park w/ Smashing Pumpkins

Aug 14th Colchester Castle Summer Series w/ Smashing Pumpkins

Pre-Order 'The Painful Truth' HERE

About SKUNK ANANSIE:

SKUNK ANANSIE, formed in 1994 in London, is a seminal band, one of the first multi-racial British rock bands, who are known for their powerful sound and thought-provoking lyrics. Fronted by the charismatic and dynamic vocalist Skin, the band blends alternative rock with elements of punk and metal. They remain one of the most important and influential bands of their era.

Their debut album 'Paranoid & Sunburnt' (1995), and its follow up 'Stoosh' (1996) both hit the Top 10 album chart in the UK and with hits like "Weak" and "Hedonism," they established themselves on the international stage, helped by their stunning live performances. In 1999, SKUNK ANANSIE closed the decade out in style by releasing their third studio album, 'Post Orgasmic Chill' and headlining Glastonbury Festival, before surprisingly going on a lengthy hiatus in 2001.

The band reconvened in 2008 to embark on the second chapter of their career, releasing three acclaimed albums - 2010’s 'Wonderlustre,' 2012’s 'Black Traffic,' and 2015’s 'Anarchytecture.' In 2019, the band marked their 25th anniversary with '25LIVE@25,' a live album that brings together the greatest songs from their six studio albums.

Throughout their career, SKUNK ANANSIE has sold over five million records globally. The band’s international prominence continues to thrive today, selling out live arenas and headlining festivals across the continent.

SKUNK ANANSIE is celebrated for addressing political and social issues through their music and breaking racial and gender barriers in rock. Their influence extends beyond music, contributing to discussions on identity, equality, and activism.

British Rock Icons SKUNK ANANSIE Release New Single "Lost and Found" + Music Video

April 8, 2025

Today, British rock icons SKUNK ANANSIE have released their new single "Lost And Found," following its worldwide premiere on BBC 6 Music’s Steve Lamacq show. Opening with Skin’s lone vocal before a staccato piano motif starts to accompany her, "Lost and Found" is a striking example of the beauty and drama contained on the band’s forthcoming album 'The Painful Truth,' out on May 23rd via FLG.

The video for "Lost And Found" was scripted and directed by Skin. Shot in Munich by the band and India Fleming, the video tells the story of Skin splitting into two personalities after bumping into a demon (Mark Richardson) disguised as a human. The story is told backwards starting with ’Lost’ Skin bloody, bruised and broken, intermingled with her as ‘Found’ Skinperforming with the band.

On the new single, Skin comments:

“We wanted to evoke the loneliness and desperation that can occur in a split second by one tiny mistake. Any of us at any time can lose the security built up over a lifetime whether it be via an accident, or a sudden twist of fate.”

Watch the Music Video for “Lost and Found” Below

'The Painful Truth' is a truly mesmerizing, provocative, powerful and emotional album demonstrating a band at the absolute peak of their powers, yet with everything to prove.

“I don’t care that we were big in the Nineties,” states vocalist Skin. “Creatively it’s irrelevant because in my rock bible the first commandment states, 'If thy rest on them laurels thy shall wither up and die artistically, musically, mentally. And then financially.'”

And for Skin, the past counts for nothing. Even when you’ve been a band for 30 years and history seems on your side. 'The Painful Truth' is the sound of SKUNK ANANSIE facing up to who they are and what they want to become. It is more than an album title. It is a reality that they have lived through.

A combination of parenthood, illness, and the departure of their longstanding manager seemed to conspire against them and add to their uncertainty, forcing singer Skin, guitarist Ace, bass player Cass and drummer Mark to question their place in the world as a band, as well as their own personal ambitions. For a while, they came close to calling it a day.

Unsure of what to do, and failing to write on zoom, the four-piece retreated post-Covid to a farmhouse in Devon where amid frank conversations and home-cooked dinners, they slowly began collating their feelings into songs.

“When we write it’s just the four of us in a room with no outside distractions or interference, getting to know each other again. We’d done the Greatest Hits tour and we realized that things needed to change. If we didn’t do something fresh and forward thinking, we couldn’t really be a band anymore. We’d just be doing SKUNK karaoke,” says Skin bluntly.

And 'The Painful Truth' is anything but SKUNK karaoke. Produced by David Sitek of TV On The Radio fame, it’s a fresh, frank, uplifting, and textured album, with the band’s knack for writing big pop songs remaining defiantly undiminished. If anything, their hooks this time around are sharper and sink in quicker.

The first single, "An Artist Is An Artist", is proof of that; a witty, provocative, pulsating slice of spiky, new-wave brilliance has been greeted with a rapturous reception from fans and media alike, proving a radio smash with playlists on BBC6Music, Kerrang Radio, Planet Rock and Absolute alongside being championed by Jo Whiley on Radio 2. And, today's brand new single "Cheers", which rides along on a deeply infectious, pulsating rhythm and boasts a truly euphoric chorus, demonstrates once more the sheer quality and ambition of the new album.

'The Painful Truth' is a radical record made for these uncertain times. Their first release on the newly formed FLG Records, and with new management in place, also comes with a freshness that belies their storied career and previous multi-platinum achievements. It’s a record that will see SKUNK ANANSIE reclaim their place as one of the most exciting, visionary, and important bands in British music.

“When I really think about it, yes, we have made some good records in our time but it’s been a long time since we have made a great album. And that is the painful truth,” confesses Skin. “Understanding that, led us to making what I genuinely think is our greatest record yet.”

Pre-Order 'The Painful Truth' HERE

Currently on a sold out tour of the UK to a rapturous reception, following an equally packed-out and jubilant tour of Europe, SKUNK ANANSIE have just been announced as the headline act for The Independent Newspaper’s stage at The Great Escape Festival on Friday May 16th. Taking place at The Old Market it shines a spotlight on groundbreaking artists, and there is no better example of that than SKUNK ANANSIE, who are globally celebrated for addressing political and social issues through their music, breaking racial and gender barriers in rock. Their influence extends beyond music, contributing to discussions on identity, equality, and activism.

SKUNK ANANSIE will also be playing a very special headline show near Bristol on the day of the album release (May 23rd). It takes place at Good Times at The Ridings, Chipping Sodbury and the band will be supported by Republica (Tickets HERE).

The band have another run of huge European headline shows this summer before appearing as Special Guests in the UK at the two outdoor Smashing Pumpkins shows in August.

Aug 10th London, Gunnersbury Park w/ Smashing Pumpkins

Aug 14th Colchester Castle Summer Series w/ Smashing Pumpkins

About SKUNK ANANSIE:

SKUNK ANANSIE Release Brand New Single "An Artist Is An Artist" + Video!

January 13, 2025

British rock icons SKUNK ANANSIE have released their brand new single "An Artist Is An Artist". Their first new music in almost three years, it finds the acclaimed four-piece at the peak of their powers and is a witty, provocative, pulsating slice of spiky, new-wave brilliance.

Tackling everything from ageism to our current need for approval in the digital age, "An Artist Is An Artist" somehow seems to hark back to the band’s vitriolic debut single, "Little Baby Swastikkka," in terms of its confrontational quality. It also reaffirms the fact that SKUNK ANANSIE is part of Britain’s proud agit-pop lineage that extends back to The Slits, whilst also conjuring up the wordplay of Ian Dury.

Watch the Music Video for “An Artist Is An Artist” below.

Produced by David Sitek of TV On The Radio fame, known for his production work with Foals, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Santigold, Solange, Weezer, and Chelsea Wolfe, "An Artist Is An Artist" is the surprising first taste of what’s to come from the band in 2025. Reinvigorated after a period of introspection, their work with Sitek has seen the band twist and turn, stepping out of their comfort zone and re-shaping themselves into a lean and vital musical machine, ready to take on the world once more.

“His name seemed to be on a lot of records that we liked. But none of the records sounded the same. The records all sounded fresh, but mainly the artists all sounded like themselves,” says Skin of the producer.

“He basically reminded us that the process of making music didn’t need to be that complicated. When you start a band it never is, so it was a good reminder of that, and he got us to strip things right down,” continues guitarist Ace.

Listen to "An Artist Is An Artist" HERE

Originally based around a trademarked, hulking Skunk riff, the band listened to Sitek as he reduced the tune to its most primal essence. Then, he decided that they needed to add a sax solo. “I fucking hate sax!” grimaces Skin, “then this really cool fucking dude walks in and played sax like I’ve never heard it before, and at that point my mantra became, just trust The Dave.”

Strangely, what should have felt uncomfortable sounds utterly natural, and the band’s performance in the multi-coloured lyric video showcases how fresh, vital, current, and contemporary they are, a rare feat for a multi-million-selling group three decades on from their very first release.

"An Artist Is An Artist" will no doubt prove to be one of the highlights of the band’s upcoming European and UK headline tour, which kicks off in Portugal on February 28th and continues through Spain, France, Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Czechia, Poland, Denmark, Luxembourg, The Netherlands and Belgium before ending in the UK with 14 shows.

Tickets are available HERE