“I’ve always messed around with rock, but my first indie rock album,” Tricky says of Different When It’s Silent. “On a couple songs, I told the bass player, Jack, to go for a Cure feel. That was intentional.”
Different When It’s Silent is also the first proper Tricky album in six years. “I think with my daughter passing, kind of was just doing these side projects because I know I didn’t have to do press. I didn’t have to do touring. I don’t think I’ve been very present,” Tricky says. “When I did this album, it was going to be a side project. When I played it to [manager] Alan, he’s like, this is not a side project, mate. This is a Tricky album.”
It’s not only a a Tricky album, it’s one of the most inspired albums of his career that goes back to his iconic debut, Maxinquaye, and his time in Massive Attack. For it he brought in a few new collaborators, including singer-songwriter Mitch Sanders, along with singer Marta, who has been in Tricky’s universe since 2019.
In addition to the new album, I talked with Tricky about his upcoming North American tour, how his new manager, Creation Records founder Alan McGee, has helped him “get back on the horse,” the influence of The Specials on his music and his life, how appearing in The Fifth Element made him realize acting was not for him, how he feels about the term “trip hop” in 2026, and lots more.
You can hear my whole conversation with Tricky on the July 20 episode of BV Interviews, which is available wherever you get your podcasts. Listen and subscribe HERE and below.