What does Skins sound like?

A raw and introspective blend of emo rap and lo-fi production reflecting vulnerability and emotional turmoil. Rooted in alternative rock and contemporary R&B. Start with "Guardian angel".

Is Skins a good place to start with XXXTentacion?

Yes, Skins is recommended as a starting point for new XXXTentacion listeners. A raw and introspective blend of emo rap and lo-fi production reflecting vulnerability and emotional turmoil. Released posthumously on December 7, 2018, 'Skins' came just months after XXXTentacion's untimely death in June of the same year. This album showcases his evolution as an artist, building on the success of his previous work, particularly '17', while exploring darker themes and a more stripped-back sound.

Skins works well if you're into short bursts of emotional intensity, raw vulnerability throughout the journey and energetic listening for quick sessions.

How many songs are on Skins?

Skins has 10 tracks, running approximately 19 minutes.

Skins

XXXTentacion · 2018

19 min · 10 tracks · alternative rock

A raw and introspective blend of emo rap and lo-fi production reflecting vulnerability and emotional turmoil.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Guardian angel Start here — This track poignantly addresses themes of loss and protection, showcasing XXXTentacion's emotional depth through haunting melodies and vulnerable lyrics.
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Train food — With its reflective narrative about mortality and regret, this track encapsulates the album's introspective essence while highlighting his unique storytelling ability.
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BAD! — This track juxtaposes aggressive beats with confessional lyrics, exemplifying the tension between self-destructive impulses and a desire for redemption that permeates the album.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

40 /100

Lowland

Higher than 1% of albums we've rated

The album's raw emotionality and fragmented structure create a unique listening experience, though it lacks depth for repeated plays.

What we noticed

The album opens with a spoken word piece that sets an introspective tone, followed by tracks that blend singing and rapping in a fragmented structure.
Several tracks feature abrupt transitions, often shifting from melodic sections to harsher vocal deliveries, reflecting emotional volatility.
The production is minimalist, relying heavily on sparse instrumentation and ambient soundscapes, which enhances the rawness of the vocals.

Composition 25% of the score: 6/10
Craft 20% of the score: 5/10
Durability 25% of the score: 4/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 5/10

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

short bursts of emotional intensity
raw vulnerability throughout the journey
energetic listening for quick sessions
fragmented thoughts in brief tracks

Maybe skip if you

prefer longer, cohesive albums
seek polished mainstream production

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Late Career Highlight — Released posthumously, it showcases XXXTentacion's continued artistic expression.
Themes: emotional struggle· posthumous reflection· loss and isolation
Moods: Intense· Cathartic
Career context: Released posthumously on December 7, 2018, 'Skins' came just months after XXXTentacion's untimely death in June of the same year. This album showcases his evolution as an artist, building on the success of his previous work, particularly '17', while exploring darker themes and a more stripped-back sound.
Stylistic neighbors: Lil Peep· Juice WRLD· Trippie Redd