Tricky - Different When It's Silent (Album Review)
Tuesday, 21 July 2026
Written by Tom Morgan
Photo: Steve Gullick
Tricky has always had his finger on the pulse of how the Western world feels. The albums released during his ‘90s heyday really captured something of their anxious postmodern age, something neatly encapsulated by the title of his 1996 full-length ‘Pre-Millennium Tension’.
He’s continued to put out a steady stream of albums but, with early classics such as ‘Maxinquaye’ so synonymous with the era of their conception, he hasn’t quite managed to capture the zeitgeist since then. Still, his music remains textured, moody and subtle, requiring multiple tokes of its heady, smoky pleasures.
Although its sonics are more pared-down and rock-focused, ‘Different When It’s Silent’ is classic Tricky in the sense that it requires time in order to properly seep into your consciousness.
A strange air of musical minimalism pervades these 14 tracks. The drums of Paris Maybe are quiet and restrained, despite guest vocalist Rennie’s emoting. Marinade fuses mournful strings, delicate bass and sparse drum machine beats, while the acoustic guitars of Hengrove Blues are so soft they’re almost impressionistic.
There’s an admirable sense of patience about ‘Different When It’s Silent’. However, that restraint is sometimes a little frustrating. You want some of these songs to catch light, not strictly regarding their emotions, but in terms of their musical verve and elan. Obfuscation and mystery can be a wonderful thing but, despite some interesting digressions into soft textures, this feels a little bit too withdrawn and sparsely imagined.
Tricky Upcoming Tour Dates are as follows:
Wed September 16 2026 - DETROIT Michigan - El Club (USA)
Sun September 20 2026 - DALLAS Texas - Trees (USA)
Mon September 21 2026 - AUSTIN Texas - Mohawk Outdoors at Mohawk Austin - Complex (USA)
Wed September 23 2026 - PHOENIX Arizona - Crescent Ballroom (USA)
Thu September 24 2026 - LOS ANGELES California - Bellwether (USA)
Mon September 28 2026 - PORTLAND Oregon - Wonder Ballroom (USA)
Tue September 29 2026 - VANCOUVER British Columbia - Hollywood Theatre - Vancouver (Canada)
Wed September 30 2026 - SEATTLE Washington - Neumos (USA)
Fri October 02 2026 - SOUTH SALT LAKE Utah - Commonwealth Room - Salt Lake City (USA)
Sun October 04 2026 - DENVER Colorado - Bluebird Theatre (USA)
Tue October 06 2026 - MINNEAPOLIS Minnesota - Fine Line at First Avenue - Complex (USA)
Thu October 08 2026 - TORONTO Ontario - Danforth Music Hall (Canada)
Fri October 09 2026 - MONTREAL Quebec - Le Studio TD (Canada)
Sun October 11 2026 - NEW YORK New York - Brooklyn Steel (USA)
Mon October 12 2026 - CAMBRIDGE MA Massachusetts - Sinclair Music Hall (USA)
Tue October 13 2026 - WASHINGTON District of Columbia - Lincoln Theatre (USA)
Thu October 15 2026 - ATLANTA Georgia - Loft (USA)
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