Slowdive drift in uncertainty through the cotton bluster of “skin in the game”

Slowdive have given us a second taste of their upcoming album everything is alive, which arrives in September. Following on from lead single “kisses” we now have “skin in the game”.

The new track employs a classic Slowdive all-engulfing wash of guitars, but it is not noisy and overwhelming as on their older material, it is instead soft and embracing, inviting you to lean in. It makes the perfect setting for Neil Halstead’s non-commital musings; “I won’t know and you won’t say it now / Cos you don’t say and I will never ask.” Slowdive have long made the most of these unsaid moments and in-between connections in their music, and “skin in the game” does the same, but with a wearier, wiser and more beautifully weathered tone, deepening the indefinable sensation of uncertainty.

Listen to “skin in the game” via the visualizer below or find it on streamers.


Slowdive’s new album everything is alive arrives on September 1 through Dead Oceans (pre-order/save). You can find the band on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Tour dates:

July 17: Perth, Aus – Astor Theatre [sold out]
July 19: Brisbane, Aus – Princess Theatre [sold out]
July 21: Sydney, Aus – Enmore Theatre
July 22: Melbourne, Aus – Forum [sold out]
July 23 :Adelaide, Aus – Hindley St Music Hall 
July 26, Auckland, NZ – Powerstation [sold out]
July 29: Fuji Rock Festival, Japan

August 5: Off Festival, Poland
August 11: Ypsigrock Festival, Sicily
August 18: Green Man Festival, UK

September 23: Toronto, ONT – Queen Elizabeth Theatre 
September 25:  Boston, MA – Citizens House of Blues Boston
September 27:  NYC, NY – Webster Hall 
September 28: NYC, NY – Webster Hall 
September 29: Philadelphia, PA – Union Transfer 
September 30: Washington, DC – 930 Club 
October 2: Cleveland, OH – The Roxy @ Mahall’s
October 3: Chicago, IL – Riviera Theatre
October 4: St. Paul, MN – Palace Theatre
October 6: Denver, CO – Cervantes’ Masterpiece Ballroom 
October 7: Salt Lake City, UT – The Union 
October 9: Portland, OR – Crystal Ballroom 
October 10: Seattle, WA – Showbox Sodo 
October 12: San Francisco, CA – The Warfield 
October 14: Los Angeles, CA – The Bellwether

Oct 30 – Glasgow, UK – QMU
Oct 31 – Manchester, UK –  Ritz
Nov 1 – Bristol, UK – SWX
Nov 3  – London, UK – Troxy
Nov 5 – Belfast, UK – Mandela Hall 
Nov 6 – Dublin, IE – National Stadium