Find all the links you need at https://linktr.ee/skipdpod

In episode twenty‑seven of Skip’d, Rob & Mike step into the tender, introspective world of Loyle Carner’s 2019 masterpiece Not Waving, But Drowning — a record that cemented Carner as one of the most emotionally articulate and quietly groundbreaking voices in UK hip‑hop.

Warm, soulful, and disarmingly honest, the album blends jazz‑soaked production, spoken‑word intimacy, and Carner’s trademark confessional storytelling into a deeply personal exploration of love, loss, growth, and the messy business of becoming an adult. From the heartfelt vulnerability of “Dear Jean” to the breezy optimism of “Ottolenghi,” this is Carner at his most open, reflective, and quietly triumphant. It’s the soundtrack for long walks, late‑night overthinking, and every moment you’re trying to figure out who you are — and who you want to be.

What’s inside:

• A breakdown of standout cuts like the soulful “Ottolenghi,” the gut‑punch letter‑to‑his‑mum “Dear Jean,” and the introspective slow‑burn “Loose Ends”
• A deep dive into Carner’s artistic evolution — how Not Waving, But Drowning expands his palette with richer instrumentation, tighter storytelling, and a more mature emotional lens
• Reflections on the album’s critical reception, its place in the UK hip‑hop landscape, and how Carner’s vulnerability reshaped expectations of what a modern rap record can be
• Plus Rob & Mike look back on their own early‑twenties chaos — the friendships, the false starts, and the moments that felt like drowning and waving all at once

Stream Skip’d on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your audio fix. Got an album that feels like a confession, a comfort blanket, or a coming‑of‑age moment? Send it our way — Rob & Mike will put it to the test and decide if it’s truly unskippable.

Find all the links you need at https://linktr.ee/skipdpod

In episode twenty‑six of Skip’d, Rob & Mike plunge into the chaotic, cathartic world of Slipknot’s 2019 behemoth We Are Not Your Kind — a record that proved the band could still evolve, still innovate, and still hit harder than almost anyone in modern metal.

Equal parts experimental and punishing, the album fuses industrial dread, atmospheric electronics, and the band’s trademark brutality into a sprawling statement of identity and defiance. From the suffocating tension of “Unsainted” to the glitch‑ridden menace of “Nero Forte,” this is Slipknot at their most focused, furious, and creatively unhinged. It’s the soundtrack for emotional purging, late‑night adrenaline spikes, and every moment you need to scream your way back to life.

What’s inside:

• A breakdown of standout cuts like “Unsainted,” “Nero Forte,” and the haunting slow‑burn “Spiders”
• A deep dive into the band’s sonic evolution — exploring how We Are Not Your Kind blends experimentation with classic Slipknot aggression, and how the album reflects the band’s internal fractures and renewed sense of purpose
• Reflections on the album’s critical acclaim, its place in Slipknot’s legacy, and whether this era represents a creative rebirth or the sharpening of a formula perfected over two decades
• Plus Rob & Mike reflect on life in the English school system as alternative kids.

Stream Skip’d on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your audio fix. Got an album that feels like a battle cry, a breakdown, or a breakthrough? Send it our way — Rob & Mike will put it to the test and decide if it’s truly unskippable.

Find all the links you need at https://linktr.ee/skipdpod

In episode twenty‑five of Skip’d, Rob & Mike step into the world of Beyoncé’s 2011 masterstroke '4' — the album that marked her boldest artistic pivot yet. Trading in the club‑ready sheen of her earlier hits for a richer, more soulful palette, 4 is a celebration of vocal power, emotional depth, and fearless creative control. From the triumphant blast of “Love On Top” to the simmering heartbreak of “I Miss You,” Beyoncé crafted a record that feels both timeless and intensely personal, a love letter to classic R&B delivered with modern‑day precision. It’s the soundtrack for late‑night reflections, big life decisions, and every moment you need to remind yourself who you are.

What’s inside:

• A breakdown of standout moments like “Love On Top,” “Countdown,” and the soaring balladry of “1+1”
• A deep dive into Beyoncé’s artistic shift — exploring her decision to step away from trends, embrace live instrumentation, and build an album rooted in emotion rather than chart expectations
• Reflections on the album’s initially mixed reception, its long‑term critical reappraisal, and whether 4 represents the true turning point in Beyoncé’s evolution into a full‑fledged auteur
• Plus the moment that Mike draws the dots between Queen Bey and comedian Bo Burnham.

Stream Skip’d on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your audio fix. Got an album that marks a turning point — for an artist or for you? Send it our way, and Rob & Mike will put it to the test to see if it’s truly unskippable.

Find all the links you need at https://linktr.ee/skipdpod

In episode twenty‑four of Skip’d, Rob & Mike crank up the arena lights and dive into Foreigner’s 1981 juggernaut 4 — the multi‑platinum monster that reshaped the band’s sound and cemented their place in rock history. Packed with glossy production, razor‑sharp songwriting, and Lou Gramm’s powerhouse vocals, 4 is the moment Foreigner evolved from hard‑rock hitmakers into stadium‑filling titans. From the pulse of “Urgent” to the immortal power‑ballad glow of “Waiting for a Girl Like You,” this album became the soundtrack for late‑night drives, neon‑lit jukeboxes, and every moment that demanded extra drama.

What’s inside:

• A breakdown of classics like “Juke Box Hero,” “Urgent,” and the slow‑burn perfection of “Waiting for a Girl Like You”
• A look at how 4 marked a major sonic shift — exploring the band’s altered line-up, Mutt Lange’s high‑gloss production, and the album’s push toward a more radio‑dominant, synth‑enhanced sound
• Reflections on the album’s massive commercial impact, the tensions behind its creation, and whether 4 represents Foreigner at their creative peak or their most calculated reinvention
• Plus the time that Mike attempts to re-create his own synth noises that even Gary Newman would be proud of.

Stream Skip’d on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your audio fix. Got an album that defined your youth, your record collection, or your idea of what rock should sound like? Send it our way — Rob & Mike will put it to the test and decide if it’s truly unskippable.

Find all the links you need at https://linktr.ee/skipdpod

In episode twenty‑three of Skip’d, Rob and Mike welcome in 2026 in style with Rob’s pick off the back of his somewhat dubious win of the Skip’d Festive Fun podcast.

This week they dive headfirst into the velvet‑drenched darkness of HIM’s 2000 cult classic Razorblade Romance — the album that catapulted the Finnish “love metal” pioneers from underground curiosity to international gothic icons.

Drenched in neon‑pink melancholy, theatrical heartbreak, and Ville Valo’s unmistakable baritone, the record blends doom‑laden riffs with pop‑leaning hooks in a way no band had dared before. From the seductive ache of “Join Me in Death” to the swaggering gloom of “Right Here in My Arms,” Razorblade Romance became the soundtrack for teenage bedrooms, eyeliner‑smudged nights out, and anyone who ever believed heartbreak could be both tragic and glamorous.

What’s inside:

• A breakdown of defining moments like “Join Me in Death,” “Gone With the Sin,” and the anthemic “Right Here in My Arms”
• A look at how Razorblade Romance sharpened HIM’s identity — exploring the band’s shift toward a more polished, melodic, and radio‑ready sound without losing their gothic edge
• Reflections on the album’s creation, how this album shaped HIM’s future sound and Rob recalls the first time he ever heard one of the tracks in a bizarre turn of events.

Stream Skip’d on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your audio fix. Got an album that shaped your teenage angst, your first heartbreak, or your entire aesthetic? Send it our way — Rob & Mike will put it to the test and decide if it’s truly unskippable.

Find all the links you need at https://linktr.ee/skipdpod

In episode twenty‑two of Skip’d, Rob & Mike close out the year by unveiling their top songs from across 2025. From chart‑dominating pop juggernauts to underground gems that deserve the spotlight, each track is dissected for what makes it unskippable. Expect passionate debates, unexpected overlaps, and plenty of surprises as the guys reflect on the sounds that defined the year — the hooks that stuck, the lyrics that cut deep, and the beats that demanded repeat listens.

What’s inside:

• Track‑by‑track breakdown of Rob & Mike’s personal top picks from 2025
• Exploration of the year’s musical themes: genre‑blending experiments, viral hits, and the rise of new voices
• Reflections on how these songs captured the mood of 2025 — plus Rob & Mike’s verdicts on which tracks just missed out on those top spots.

Stream Skip’d on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your audio fix. Got an album from 2025 that you couldn’t stop playing? Send it our way — Rob & Mike will put it to the test and see if it’s truly unskippable.

Find all the links you need at https://linktr.ee/skipdpod

In episode twenty‑one of Skip’d, Rob & Mike swap sleigh bells for soundchecks as they put each other’s hand‑picked Christmas playlists to the ultimate test.

From reimagined carols to cheeky pop bangers, every track gets rated on whether it’s truly unskippable or destined for the skip button. Expect heated debates over Justin Hawkins’ high notes, unexpected love for left‑field indie holiday gems, and plenty of laughter as the guys discover which songs belong on repeat during December and which should stay buried in stockings.

As an extra bit of fun Rob & Mike will be scoring each other’s playlists, with the winner getting to submit another of their own unskippable albums to feature in a 2026 episode. Who do you think will win?

What’s inside:

• Track‑by‑track reactions to each other’s curated Christmas playlists — from classics to curveballs
• Exploration of what makes a holiday song unskippable: nostalgia, sing‑along power, or sheer festive chaos
• Reflections on the guilty pleasures we all secretly love, plus Rob & Mike’s verdicts on which tracks earn a permanent spot on the December rotation

Stream Skip’d on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your audio fix. Got a seasonal playlist that sparks joy or sparks arguments? Send it our way — Rob & Mike will unwrap it and decide if it’s truly unskippable.

Find all the links you need at https://linktr.ee/skipdpod

In episode twenty of Skip’d, Rob & Mike throw themselves into Don Broco’s 2015 breakout Automatic — a slick collision of funk‑infused grooves, alt‑rock muscle, and unapologetically massive choruses. Built on swaggering basslines, glossy production, and Rob Damiani’s charismatic vocals, the album marked a bold leap from the raw grit of Priorities into something smoother, shinier, and irresistibly arena‑ready. From the strutting confidence of “Superlove” to the soaring title track “Automatic,” this record became the soundtrack for summer drives, festival fields, and every time you wanted to feel larger than life.

What’s inside:

• Track‑by‑track breakdown of standout cuts like “Superlove,” “Fire,” and the euphoric “Automatic”.
• Exploration of the album’s huge sound shift, discussing the more polished backing track and whether this album was developed to help the band break into America.
• Reflections on how Automatic nearly caused Don Broco’s to split — plus an in-depth discussion on whether extended album re-releases can ever improve an album.

Stream Skip’d on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your audio fix. Got an album that makes you roll down the windows and blast it until the street sings along? Send it our way — Rob & Mike will put it to the test and see if it’s truly unskippable.