By Colin 
Skunk Anansie have announced their highly anticipated new album, The Painful Truth, set for release on 23 May via FLG Records. Their first studio album in nine years captures the band’s raw energy and fresh ambition. To celebrate, they will play a special headline show near Bristol on the day of release, alongside a UK and EU tour in March and April 2025.
Alongside the album announcement, the band have released their latest single, ‘Cheers’. The track pulses with deep grooves and an electrifying chorus, blending Skunk Anansie’s signature aggression with melody. The accompanying lyric video, created by bassist Cass’ godson Miles Liverpool, adds a striking visual element.
A Band Reigniting Their Creative Fire
The Painful Truth is more than an album—it’s a statement. Over the past 30 years, the band have faced major personal and professional challenges, including parenthood, illness, and the loss of their long-time manager. These experiences led them to question their future.
“I don’t care that we were big in the Nineties,” says vocalist Skin. “Creatively, it’s irrelevant. In my rock bible, the first commandment states, ‘If thy rest on them laurels thy shall wither up and die artistically, musically, mentally. And then financially.’”
Uncertain about their next move, the band retreated to a farmhouse in Devon. There, away from distractions, they reconnected through songwriting and deep conversations. That period of reflection reignited their creative fire.
“When we write, it’s just the four of us in a room, with no outside interference,” Skin explains. “We realised that if we didn’t do something fresh and forward-thinking, we couldn’t be a band anymore. We’d just be doing Skunk karaoke.”
Produced by David Sitek (TV On The Radio), The Painful Truth introduces a bold, contemporary sound. While their signature hooks remain, the new material is sharper and more immediate.
A Radical Record For Uncertain Times
The album’s first single, ‘An Artist Is An Artist’, set the tone with its spiky, new-wave brilliance. It became a radio hit, receiving airplay on BBC 6 Music, Kerrang Radio, Planet Rock, Absolute Radio, and Radio 2, where Jo Whiley championed it.
Now, ‘Cheers’ builds on that momentum. With its infectious rhythm and euphoric chorus, the track highlights the album’s depth and ambition.
Reflecting on the project, Skin confesses, “Yes, we have made some good records in our time, but it’s been a long time since we have made a great album. And that is the painful truth. Understanding that led us to making what I genuinely think is our greatest record yet.”
Skunk Anansie will mark the album’s release with a special headline show at Good Times at The Ridings, Chipping Sodbury, on 23 May.
The Painful Truth is available to pre-order now, with ‘Cheers’ streaming on all major platforms.