Angels With Dirty Faces

Released in 1998, Angels With Dirty Faces represents Tricky at his most confrontational and creatively restless. Following the massive success of Maxinquaye, this fourth studio effort sees the Bristol producer leaning further into the 'murky' aesthetic he pioneered, while integrating elements of industrial rock and aggressive social commentary. The album is notable for its high-profile collaborations, including PJ Harvey on the standout track 'Broken Homes' and Anthrax guitarist Scott Ian on 'Carriage for Two,' the latter of which highlights the album's shift toward a harder, more abrasive sound. Lyrically, Tricky targets the greed of the record industry and the alienation of fame, delivered through his trademark multi-layered vocal tracks where his own voice often battles with female vocalists for space in the mix. Critics at the time, including AllMusic, noted its dense, challenging nature, often citing it as a more difficult but equally compelling successor to his earlier work. It remains a definitive document of the darker side of the 1990s UK electronic scene.