SKiP'D

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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.

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

In episode nineteen of Skip’d, Rob & Mike dive headfirst into Linkin Park’s 2003 powerhouse Meteora — a razor-sharp fusion of rap-rock urgency, electronic texture, and punchy post‑grunge hooks. Built on layered beats, anguished vocals, and riffs that bite, the album refined the band’s blueprint from Hybrid Theory into something tighter, heavier, and eerily melodic. From the seismic stomp of “Breaking the Habit” to the aggressive propulsion of “Faint,” Meteora became the soundtrack for angsty commutes, late-night venting, and every time you needed to turn the volume up and let it all out.

What’s inside:

• Track-by-track breakdown of definitive cuts like “Somewhere I Belong,” the dynamics of “Numb,” and the kinetic “Faint”
• Exploration of the album’s core themes: inner conflict, isolation under pressure, and the catharsis of combining rap cadence with stadium-ready choruses
• Reflections on how Meteora polished nu‑metal into radio‑friendly anthems while keeping its edge — plus Rob’s take on why the production still sounds modern and why those vocal harmonies hit like a gut punch

Stream Skip’d on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your audio fix. Got an album that makes you press repeat until your neighbours complain? 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 eighteen of Skip’d, Rob & Mike dig into Plan B’s breakthrough concept album The Defamation of Strickland Banks — a gritty, cinematic fusion of vintage soul, sharp songwriting, and London street storytelling. Framed as the rise and fall of a smooth-talking soul crooner turned scandal magnet, the record pairs Motown-leaning arrangements with knife-edge lyricism, yielding heartbreak ballads and barroom bangers that feel both classic and distinctly modern.

What’s inside:

• Breakdowns of standout moments such as the tormented “She Said,” the swaggering “Stay Too Long,” and the tragic arc of “Love Goes Down”
• Exploration of the album’s core themes: fame’s illusions, betrayal and redemption, classed-up soul with a streetwise bite
• Reflections on how Plan B blended singer-songwriter craft with grime-era grit to create a narrative album that works as both a pop record and a mini crime drama — plus Mike’s take on whether the narration was descriptive enough.

Stream Skip’d on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your audio fix. Got an album that reads like a movie and slaps like a single? Send it over — Rob & Mike will test whether it’s genuinely unskippable.

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

In episode seventeen of Skip’d, Rob & Mike uncork the velvet-draped debut from The Last Dinner Party — Prelude to Ecstasy — a genre-blurring, corset-loosening feast of baroque pop, glam-rock drama, and literary decadence. With harpsichords clashing against synths and choruses that sound like they were written for a gothic ballroom, this album doesn’t just ask to be listened to — it demands worship. From the operatic highs of “Caesar on a TV Screen” to the pulsing rage of “Sinner,” it’s a theatrical triumph that’s already redefining what a debut can be.

What’s inside:

• Track-by-track breakdown of standout moments like the ecstatic “My Lady of Mercy,” the swaggering “On Your Side,” and the haunting title track
• Exploration of the album’s core themes: divine femininity, emotional excess, and the power of performance as protest
• Reflections on how Prelude to Ecstasy channels Kate Bush, Bowie, and Florence into something fiercely fresh — plus Mike’s take on why theatricality is making a comeback in pop

Stream Skip’d on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your audio fix. Got an album that makes you wanna scream the chorus at the top of your lungs? Send it our way—Rob & Mike are ready to put it to the test and see if it’s truly unskippable.