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Shedding Skin Image
Metascore
74

Generally favorable reviews - based on 13 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.1

Generally favorable reviews- based on 12 Ratings

  • Summary: The third full-length release for Obaro Ejimiw as Ghostpoet features guest appearances from Etta Bond, Melanie De Biasio, Lucy Rose, Nadine Shah, and Paul Smith
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Top Track

X Marks the Spot
Obviously, You made me see Can't take this life for nothing Let me be All alone, I left my throne If I don't try another way Then I'll never... See the rest of the song lyrics
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 13
  2. Negative: 0 out of 13
  1. Mojo
    Mar 19, 2015
    80
    You're left with dual perspectives that aren't quite duets, anthems of vague disquiet, and an utterly satisfying sense of an artist following his own directs and nobody else's. [Apr 2015, p.95]
  2. 80
    It’s effectively atmospheric, giving a raw, insomniac groove to the gritty notes draining from electric guitars and a twitch of dirty old fluorescent bulbs in the glitchy drum beats.
  3. Feb 27, 2015
    80
    Beyond a few piano-led lulls, the new Radiohead-tinged direction sounds compelling and thoughtful.
  4. Mar 2, 2015
    80
    Add the devastating title cut plus more memorable melodies than usual, and Shedding Skin might be the Ghostpoet album to begin with for those who prefer something a bit traditional, but with three excellent efforts from the get-go, the point isn't where to start, but to start, because the rewards are consistent and plentiful.
  5. 75
    For what is a hugely bold manoeuvre, he has carried it out with much aplomb.
  6. Mar 4, 2015
    70
    Shedding Skin is a bold move for an artist so associated with a different sonic cadence, and kudos to Ejimiwe for trying to artistically reposition himself. Ultimately though, I would have liked to have heard more of an evolution rather than a complete metamorphosis from him.
  7. Uncut
    Feb 27, 2015
    60
    He's backed by an orthodox guitar/bass/drums trio, which sometimes renders inert his unorthodox rhymes. [Apr 2015, p.76]

See all 13 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 2
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 2
  3. Negative: 0 out of 2
  1. Mar 22, 2015
    8
    Shedding Skin is another dark album from Ghostpoet, who's appeared to me as a unique rap artist entirely in his own league and in no rush withShedding Skin is another dark album from Ghostpoet, who's appeared to me as a unique rap artist entirely in his own league and in no rush with what he does. This album has a fabulous flow to it, but simultaneously I don't believe it's a 'classic' such as his previous two albums, in a sense that, though the more accessible qualities move him a step further, they also leave something behind that made him truly unique. But what the hell, artists move on, Ghostpoet I'm sure has a lot of fabulous tunes and possible albums to give us for the future. Expand
  2. Sep 7, 2020
    8
    "Shedding Skin" is a nice, atmospheric mix of jazz influenced indie pop and hip hop. Of all the Ghostpoet releases, this is my favourite and"Shedding Skin" is a nice, atmospheric mix of jazz influenced indie pop and hip hop. Of all the Ghostpoet releases, this is my favourite and I'd put it down to the various guest vocal appearances which give the album an added dimension to the usual spoken work style of delivery from Ghostpoet. The rhythm section has a really nice sound, with the drum and base combining nicely with the vocals to create a distinctive style. The guitars and pianos add flourishes rather than foundations to the tracks. There are a number of standout tracks with "X Marks the Spot" being an obvious one. It has a real dark and menacing feel to it but very enjoyable. Expand