Different When It’s Silent is the first Tricky album in six years, and with good reason.
Since 2020’s Fall to Pieces the musician has released an album, and accompanying self-directed film, under the name Lonely Guest, an all-star 2021 project that included contributions from Oh Land, Marta Złakowska, Idles’ Joe Talbot, Murkage Dave, Maxïmo Park’s Paul Smith and, in one of his final appearances on record, Lee “Scratch” Perry. Three years later came Fifteen Days, a collaborative album from the artist born Adrian Thaws and producer Mike Theis, under the name Theis Thaws. Then, last year, he and Marta released joint album, Out The Way. All of those projects came out via False Idols, the label he founded in 2013. You can’t say Tricky’s not been busy.
As ever, Tricky is pulling talent and inspiration from anywhere and everywhere. That, he says with a shrug, is just how he’s always, instinctively done it.
“Making music is an opportunity for artists to bring someone along. I feel like that’s part of the career. Back in the days, you always had artists bringing up other artists, not-so-known artists supporting on tour. I always feel like it’s good to bring someone who’s not known. Who’s not a famous actress or a famous singer or a famous this or a famous that. Just people around you. And it’s easier. And it’s just a good vibe.”