SKiP'D

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

In episode sixteen of Skip’d, Rob & Mike march straight into My Chemical Romance’s 2006 juggernaut The Black Parade — a cinematic concept album that turned teenage torment into arena-sized catharsis. Equal parts punk grit and orchestral grandeur, the record stages a glam-rock funeral for the self and ushers listeners through grief, defiance, and the weird comfort of melodrama. From its brass-fuelled opener to the last, aching encore, this is an album built to be belted at maximum volume.

What’s inside:

• Track-by-track breakdown of defining moments like the anthemic “Welcome to the Black Parade,” the tender “I Don’t Love You,” and the stripped-down gut-punch “Cancer”
• Exploration of the album’s core themes: mortality, theatrical identity, the politics of teenage rage, and the redemptive power of community singalongs
• Reflections on how The Black Parade retooled emo for stadiums, inspired generations of misfits, and why Rob never fully listened to this album as an Emo child.

Stream Skip’d on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your audio fix. Got an album that makes you want to light a lighter and scream the bridge? 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 fifteen of Skip’d, Rob & Mike crank up the volume on Terrorvision’s 1994 breakout album How to Make Friends and Influence People—a riotous blend of hard rock hooks, cheeky lyrics, and Britpop-era bravado that turned the Bradford quartet into unlikely chart heroes. Packed with singalong choruses, punchy riffs, and a healthy dose of northern charm, this album became a staple of ‘90s UK rock and a certified unskippable for anyone who’s ever shouted “Alice, What’s the Matter?” at full blast.

What’s inside:

• Breakdown of the album’s most infectious tracks such as “Oblivion,” the swaggering “Middleman,” and the heartfelt closer “What the Doctor Ordered”

• Exploration of the album’s core themes: working-class joy, emotional honesty, and the art of turning everyday chaos into stadium-ready anthems

• Reflections on how How to Make Friends And Influence People became a soundtrack for messy nights out, messy breakups, and messy haircuts—plus the moment Rob discusses his view on Britpop artists…

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.

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

In episode fourteen of Skip’d, Rob & Mike unravel the tangled emotional tapestry of 'Rumours' —Fleetwood Mac’s 1977 masterpiece forged in the fire of heartbreak, infidelity, and creative tension. Universally hailed as one of the greatest albums of all time, 'Rumours' turns personal chaos into pop perfection, blending California rock, folk, and soul into a collection of tracks so iconic that every generation should know about it.

What’s inside:

• Breakdown of iconic tracks such as “Go Your Own Way,” the ethereal “Dreams,” and the hauntingly beautiful “Songbird”.
• Exploration of the album’s core themes: romantic fallout, resilience, and the alchemy of turning pain into platinum.
• Behind-the-scenes look at the band’s volatile recording sessions at the Record Plant in Sausalito, where cocaine, confessions, and creative genius collided.
• Mike & Rob’s reflections on how Rumours became the soundtrack to generations of heartbreak and healing.

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.

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

In episode thirteen of Skip’d, Rob & Mike dissect Kendrick Lamar’s To Pimp A Butterfly—a genre-defying magnum opus that fuses hip-hop, funk, jazz, and spoken word into a searing meditation on race, fame, and self-worth. Released in 2015, this ground-breaking album redefined what rap could be, pairing sonic experimentation with lyrical depth that demands repeated listens and cultural reckoning.

What’s inside:

• Breakdowns of the explosive tracks such as “Wesley's Theory” the introspective “u”, and the triumphant “i”
• Exploration of the album’s core themes: systemic racism, survivor’s guilt, and the duality of being celebrated and scrutinized as a Black artist
• Reflections on how To Pimp A Butterfly became a protest anthem, a therapy session, and a spiritual awakening rolled into one—plus the moment Mike comes to terms with his new found appreciate of rap.

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.

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

In episode twelve of Skip’d, Rob & Mike dive deep into Adele’s fourth studio album, 30—a soul-baring chronicle of divorce, motherhood, and self-reclamation wrapped in cinematic balladry and gospel-infused grandeur. Released in 2021 after a six-year hiatus, 30 finds Adele at her most vulnerable and vocally commanding, weaving orchestral arrangements, jazz flourishes, and raw lyricism into a cohesive emotional journey that listeners deemed completely unskippable.

What’s inside:

• Breakdown of the most memorable tracks such as “Strangers by Nature,” the powerhouse anthem “Easy on Me,” and the cathartic closer “Love Is a Game”
• Exploration of the album’s core themes: grief, growth, and the messy beauty of starting over
• Reflections on how 30 became a soundtrack for emotional reckoning, plus some serious heart to hearts between Rob & Mike about the impact of divorce on family life.

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.

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

In episode eleven of Skip’d, Rob & Mike unpack Porcupine Tree’s ninth studio album, Fear Of A Blank Planet—a searing concept record that dissects modern youth’s alienation, screen addiction, and societal disconnect through sprawling progressive rock canvases. Blending art-rock textures, narrative depth, and hard-hitting grooves, this 2007 release was self-produced by the band across Steven Wilson’s No Man’s Land home studio and remote sessions in Tel Aviv and London.

What’s inside:

• Track-by-track breakdown of the title-track’s dystopian soundscape, the 17-minute prog opus “Anesthetize,” and the haunting finale “Sentimental”
• Exploration of the album’s core themes: digital overload, broken homes, and mental health
• Deep dive into Steven Wilson’s self-production ethos, from bedroom demos to polished mixes that earned Gavin Harrison a Modern Drummer award
• Listener reflections on how the album’s anxieties resonate today

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.

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

In episode ten of Skip’d, Rob & Mike unravel The Streets’ defining concept album, A Grand Don’t Come For Free, released on 17 May 2004. Mike Skinner transforms London street tales into a rap opera narrative, chronicling a missing £1,000 and a tumultuous romance with Simone. They explore how raw garage beats and heartfelt lyricism elevated UK hip hop in the mid-2000s.

What’s inside:

• A track-by-track breakdown of emotional highs and lows in songs like “Dry Your Eyes,” “Fit But You Know It,” and “Blinded by the Lights”
• Discussion of Skinner’s storytelling technique, inspired by Hollywood screenwriting principles, that weaves drama through every verse
• Rob & Mike’s take on the album’s bedroom-to-studio production, DIY authenticity, and Mike Skinner’s role as both writer and producer
• Listener anecdotes, singalong moments, and both Rob and Mike professing to being drug-free and boring.

Stream Skip’d on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Got a concept album that turns every track into a chapter? Send it over—Rob & Mike are ready to skip it next.

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

In episode nine of Skip’d, Rob & Mike unpack Kaiser Chiefs’ debut studio album Employment, a Britpop and new wave–inspired alternative rock landmark that exploded onto the UK scene in March 2005. Recorded from summer to December 2004 at Chapel Studios in Lincoln and refined at Olympic and Town House studios, the album fuses art-punk attitude with catchy pop hooks under the guidance of producers Stephen Street and Stephen Harris. Charting at number three upon release and climbing to number two after the Brit Awards, Employment became one of 2005’s best-selling albums and cemented the Leeds band as arena headliners.

What’s inside:

• A track-by-track breakdown of stadium-ready singles like “I Predict a Riot,” “Everyday I Love You Less and Less,” and “Oh My God,” exploring their infectious riffs and rallying choruses
• Rob & Mike’s take on how the album’s production sharpened the band’s wit and funky rhythms, and how those songs sparked a post-punk revival
• Listener memories, heart-pounding concert anecdotes, and a debate on if anything good has ever come out of Leeds.

Stream Skip’d on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your audio fix. Got an album defined by mosh pits and singalong hooks? Send it our way—Rob & Mike are primed to skip it next.

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

In episode eight of SKiP’D, Rob & Mike dive into Arctic Monkeys’ fifth studio album, AM, released on 9 September 2013. Recorded between January 2012 and June 2013 at Sage & Sound Recording in Los Angeles and Rancho De La Luna in Joshua Tree, California, with production led by James Ford and co-production from Ross Orton, this record fuses indie rock grit, blues-rock swagger, R&B soul, and hip-hop-influenced grooves into a dark, cinematic package.

What’s inside:

• A track-by-track exploration of opener “Do I Wanna Know?” and anthem “R U Mine?” uncovering their moody guitar riffs and rhythmic swagger
• A breakdown of late-night standout “Why’d You Only Call Me When You’re High?” and its blend of confessional lyrics with vintage drum-machine pulse
• Insight into Alex Turner’s decision to treat AM as a true studio album, layering piano, organ, Hohner Guitaret, and subtle guest vocals into the band’s core sound

Stream Skip’d on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favourite podcast app. Got an album whose groove won’t let you sleep? Send it our way—Rob & Mike are ready to skip it next.

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

In episode seven of SKiP’D, Rob & Mike explore Ed Sheeran’s debut album +, a genre-blending collection that launched the British singer-songwriter into global stardom. Chosen by a listener who still tears up to "Small Bump," this album fuses acoustic intimacy with rhythmic wordplay and pop polish. From the haunting storytelling of "The A Team" to the rapid-fire delivery of "You Need Me, I Don’t Need You," the duo unpacks how + redefined expectations for solo artists in the 2010s.

What’s inside:

• A track-by-track breakdown of Sheeran’s lyrical themes, production choices, and emotional range.
• Rob & Mike’s take on the album’s influence on modern pop, the rise of loop pedal performance, and Sheeran’s songwriting evolution.
• Listener memories, heartfelt reactions, and an unsettling amount of Nando's facts.

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 skip it next.