Idles have become absolutely massive since their last album ‘Joy as an Act of Resistance’ so has success blunted their attack?
Fortunately no, they still sound fully enraged and ready for attack. The only problem is that the sound hasn’t moved too far along but seeing as this is only album number three we can give them a pass.
Quite a few of the tracks on ‘Ultra Mono’ were released as singles before the album was unleashed ‘Mr. Motorvator’, ‘Grounds’, ‘Model Village’ ‘War’ and ‘A Hymn’ all dropped during lock down and with the exception of ‘Mr. Motorvator’ they came across as odd choices lacking the kick of a stand alone track however the songs in situ are a different affair entirely. They fit into the record much better to bring a strong cohesive feel to ‘Ultra Mono’.
Although it sounds solidly like an Idles album there are surprises to be found, the pretty intro to ‘Kill Them With Kindness’ (Has there ever been a more Idles-sounding title?) is startlingly delicate, it obviously gives way to a growly bass and drums attack spurred on by gravelly guitars and Joe Talbot’s through-gritted-teeth vocals. There’s your usual fury throughout the record but in true Idles style there’s a healthy dose of humour particularly in the aforementioned ‘Model Village’ which sounds like a fucking horrible place to live but Talbot’s take down is very funny.
As always the politics are solid and loud, the inclusion of Jehnny Beth of Savages on ‘Ne Touche Pas Moi’ lends a sense of comradeship and authentication while ‘Carcinogenic’ shoves its fist directly into the face of hateful, uncaring modern politics and the absurdities of the aristocracy meets with a size nine boot on ‘Reigns’.
At this point Idles could release any old shit but they obviously have a sense of quality control as ‘Ultra Mono’ shows. It will be interesting to see where the band go from here, and what their shape will be in the future but for now the Idles boys are firing on full thrusters and giving their fans what they want.
Anger has never been so righteously loud and sexy.
