An album of intellect and development, its makers as commanding as they ever were.
When Skunk Anansie released Smashes & Trashes, their greatest hits compilation, in 2009 after a decade’s absence, it was a reminder that they had some unfinished business. This was a band that had the music press quivering with a mixture of confusion and excitement, who teetered on globe-conquering greatness, and who wrapped things up quietly with no acrimonious divorce.
Fourth studio album Wonderlustre sees the band return from, between them, solo albums, session work, music tuition and a seven-year stint in Feeder. But rather than instantly recommencing from 1999, it’s an engaging illustration of growth. It's a less spiked affair than previous long-players, but their distinctive rock dynamism is still present, and in generous abundance, frenetic drumwork and strapping licks playing host to mesmerising yet forceful vocals.
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Source: BBC Music