Skins season 5 - Episode Guide - Episode 1 Franky

Soooo, here we are, Skins: Generation 3. The song I’ve chosen to kick off the latest Skins musical onslaught is Be Brave by The Strange Boys. I consider it to be an awesome “welcome back” track. Signed to Rough Trade in the UK, Strange Boys are such a sicc band. Be Brave, also the name of their sophomore album (a personal highlight of my 2010), is the first tune of theirs that graced my ears and it was love at first listen. I’m a massive fan of the simple looseness to this tune, combined with the croaky vocals. The track comes in at the start of Franky’s journey, which could go absolutely anywhere.

The Cure - Foxy Lady
A very surprising version of Foxy Lady that sounds very little like The Cure, but it works perfectly as the notorious Bristol bus stop gang, BS5, chase Franky. The Cure is one of those bands that everyone should be a bit into, even if it’s just an occasional cheeky listen to Friday I’m in love. Last year saw a big Crystal Castles tune Not in Love which featured Robert Smith of The Cure on vocal duties. If you haven’t heard this tune, I implore you to check it out, arguably one of the biggest tunes of 2010.

Frankie Goes To Hollywood - Relax
I doubt this track needs much explanation or introduction. It is, in fact, the campest song in the history of both popular music and camping. What I will say though, is that I reckon this is possibly the least camp use of this song in TV or film ever… period. I’m sure it’s obvious why.

Jay Jay Pistolet - Bags of Gold
This song comes in over the girls playing hockey; the scene in which we witness Mini’s first act of super bitchdom. I’ve been on to Jay Jay for a bit now and I’ve found his solo stuff to be very pleasant. Jay Jay’s most recent project seems to be snow balling. He’s the singer in The Vaccines who are featured later in this episode and are possibly the most hyped about band of 2011. They have a similar hype to Ellie Goulding of last year, although in my opinion the starry eyed Goulding is a little bit sh*t.

Freelance Whales - Generator Second Floor
Freelance Whales are yet another band from that musical haven, New York. Check out the excellent Les Savy Fav-owned label they call home, French Kiss Records. While you’re at it you may as well check out the rosters of Big Apple labels, Captured Tracks and True Panther Sounds. I digress, Freelance Whales make really nice pop music and this tune is no exception - lovely and utterly uplifting. I think it’s what I’ve come to call a proper Skins tune. This comes in as Franky is looking at all the horrible messages on her phone, prior to meeting the girls.

Chopin - Minute Waltz
Chopin is a really famous Polish composer from the 1800s. This is a version of one of his most famous pieces. This plays as the girls get a bit high and run around the shopping centre. Thems were the days.

 
K’Naan - ABC’s
This was the choice of the Krumper who’s dancing in the scene. K’Nann is quite big in the states and does put out some alright music. Alright music? I’ll admit that’s not exactly a glowing recommendation.

Nancy Elizabeth - Feet of courage
Nancy Elizabeth is a London based singer/songwriter who was featured in Skins last year. It was I’m Like Paper we used last year and this year we are using my personal favourite of hers, Feet of Courage. I find the looping of vocals very sweet and utterly engaging. An interesting nugget of info for you, Skins directing alumnus, Esther May Campbell (Series 4, Episodes 5 & 6) directed the music video for this song.
Nancy is signed to the always-interesting The Leaf Label. Leaf originally put out electronic music but their tastes have obviously broadened over the years. They boast a roster that’s well worth a listen. Nancy plays over the scene in which the girls play dress up with Franky.

 
The Vaccines - Wreckin Bar
As I mentioned earlier, I really like The Vaccines. This tune comes in as we hear the alarm go off when Grace has been on the rob and it continues as we follow the girls getting chased: a real scene stealing track. What The Vaccines are doing musically is by no means ground breaking, but they’re doing it f*cking well and they’re inevitably going to be big in 2011. Check out my favourite track by them If You Wanna: that’s not a suggestion.

 
Thieves Like Us - Never Known Love
Thieves Like Us are a Swedish/US based-pop trio who are based in Paris: quite the jet setters. I’m quite fond of they’re music. We hear this as Franky sits on the steps after the girls have found her ‘Frape’ page.

Howard Jones - New Song
Howard Jones in considered by many to be one of the most influential figures of synthy pop from the 80s. This is a really uplifting tune, which came from Dan “The Butcher” Gethic’s (Editor Series 5, Episode 1) personal collection. It comes in straight after the part break as Franky’s making her manikin film. It’s one of those tunes that when you hear it, it really gives you the sense that everything is going to be alright in the world.

The Strange Boys - You Can Only Love When You Want
This track plays as Franky enters Roundview after she gets her face on for the first time in her life. I reckon she does a good job. It’s a well pretty song, which matches the character’s complexion perfectly. I think it’s my outright favourite of this episode, making it the current front-runner to be my track of the series.

Segal - Up Your Ribs
After hitting us round the head with his glitch-tastic new Skins title track, the Man, the Myth, the Legend is back with a nice little piece that gets us inside Franky’s head. This comes in after Mini has just completely fucked her over. The track really gives a sense that something is going kick off proper.

Segal - Ted/Ned
This is another lovely piece by Segal that takes us from Franky’s meeting with a certain mysterious character to her bedroom.

Aeroplane - We Can’t Fly
This track accompanies one of the most difficult scenes of the entire episode: we tried out so many different tracks it was a joke. It wasn’t until about 1am, in the office with The Butcher, that we finally placed this track on the edit. The tune really fits Franky; it’s got a lovely 80s feel to it, a refreshing change to the abundance of crap 80s tinged tracks I’ve heard so many of. I was buzzing about this album ever since I heard Aeroplane’s remix of Friendly Fires’ Paris, featuring Au Revoir Simone. This begins to play as Franky gets ready for the party and takes us out to the final part of the episode.

 
Fergie - Glamorous
Right. First off, apologies for this. We needed a tune which would be played in a sh1tty club where the likes of Mini would be well up for getting low. Although, I do feel this is the perfect opportunity to get something off my chest (drum roll…) I think this is an absolute tune. I can’t help it. Don’t judge me.

Blondie - Heart of Glass
Everybody in the world loves Blondie, don’t they? They were such a good band and Debbie Harry back in the day was marriage material, I’m sure many of you will agree. They are considered by the masses to be pioneers of the new wave punk scene of the 1970s. They have produced many a tune, in particular Atomic, when Debbie Harry sing the line, ‘Ooooooo your hair is beautiful’: it makes my heart smile.