In a somewhat unexpected turn of events, Birmingham native and English music legend Mike Skinner (or The Streets) has returned and released single Call My Phone Thinking I’m Doing Nothing Better.
Following a string of single releases The Streets released the song in tandem with the announcement of an upcoming mixtape due to be released later this year, which will be the first Streets project in 9 years.
Unexpectedly the new single is a collaboration with psychedelic Australian outfit Tame Impala. On a post on his Instagram Kevin Parker said “This is a pretty big honour and a dream come true.” This collaboration is one that was not foreseen by anyone and came as a welcome surprise to fans of both artists alike.
The video was also released which featured some of the artists who will appear on the mixtape such as Greentea Peng, Ms Banks and Donae’o. It was shot in multiple locations such as a ski resort, Western Australia and London. Watch the video on YouTube below.
Fans of The Streets will be over the moon with the announcement of a new mixtape as they have been waiting on new material from Skinner for years, with his last full length project being 2011’s Computer and Blues which was met with a lukewarm response from critics.
This is a backtrack on his own words as Skinner revealed in a 2011 interview that there would not be another Streets album. He said “I do not feel any sadness, I would feel frustrated if I had to make another one.”
In the meantime, Skinner has turned his attention to other projects such as releasing music under the moniker The Darker The Shadow, The Brighter The Light and has even tried his hand at acting.
Given the circumstances we collectively find ourselves in, the announcement of an upcoming mixtape will excite a lot of people and, during a time in which a lot of artists are postponing their releases, it’s good to see Skinner announcing releases during the lockdown. All we have to do now is do as The Streets once said; ‘Stay Positive’.
