Today we are treated to a fresh brace of tasty slices of ska served hot and fresh by New Yorkers, The Slackers. This time, they tell a couple of stories with more of a personal slant, compared to the more politically-charged Nobody\’s Listening / Sleep Outside EP that dropped a year ago.

Windowland is a little fly-on-the-wall observation of other people’s sordid lives. Set to a bouncing calypso-infused reggae tune and a glorious vocal finale from Victor Ruggerio. Almost Lost Youis a laid-back love song with a twist. It tells the tale of a loved one being involved in a near-death experience, and of sleepless nights beside a hospital bed.

Powered by keyboard and flute, the song rings out with the line “thought I almost lost you there” being repeated over and over, it pulls the heartstrings in the way that The Slackers excel at. Once again two more examples as to why The Slackers are at the absolute top of the genre. Tom Chapman