Ultra Mono

by Idles

Overview

On their third record in almost as many years, Idles are at their most anarchic, dialing up their comedic edge and their manic energy. Taken at face value, the elements that make Idles great are present, including the social commentary, the sense of humor, and the cathartic justified rage. The opening moments of Ultra Mono play out in familiar territory, from the explosive opener "War" to the panic attack-inducing "Anxiety." Of all the singles, "A Hymn" was the most overlooked. Here, in the context of the album, it comes as welcome respite; dredged in tension and played seriously rather than comedically, it's a side of the band that deserves to be explored. Similarly, the sparse arrangement of "Grounds" is a bold new vector in the Idles formula. There are a variety of guests, including Jamie Cullum, who provides a genuinely funny moment as his serene piano melody gets interrupted by the band crashing in on "Kill Them with Kindness," and the ever-electrifying Jehnny Beth, who adds extra venom on "Ne Touche Pas Moi." Idles deserve praise for their invigorating output, which avoids getting mired down by bleak outlooks, literary references, or overly poetic lyrics. There is much to enjoy on Ultra Mono: the band's raucous energy shines just as bright, and their message is just as necessary. ~ Liam Martin

Product Details

Release Date:	09/25/2020
Label:	Partisan
UPC:	0720841218616
Rank:	637

Tracks

1. War
2. Grounds
3. Mr. Motivator
4. Anxiety
5. Kill Them with Kindness
6. Model Village
7. Ne Touche Pas Moi
8. Carcinogenic
9. Reigns
10. The Lover
11. A Hymn
12. Danke

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Idles   Primary Artist
Jamie Cullum   Vocals,Guest Artist,Featured Artist
Warren Ellis   Vocals,Guest Artist,Featured Artist
David Yow   Vocals,Guest Artist,Featured Artist
John Beth   Vocals,Guest Artist,Featured Artist
Colin Webster   Vocals,Guest Artist,Featured Artist

Technical Credits

Jamie Cullum   Composer
Warren Ellis   Composer
Nick Launay   Mixing,Engineer,Producer
David Yow   Composer
Adam Greenspan   Mixing,Engineer,Producer
Andrew Bourne   Logo
John Beth   Composer
Mark Bowen   Producer
Kenny Beats   Programming
Colin Webster   Composer
Idles   Composer
Nigel Talbot   Sculpture
Russell Oliver   Paintings
Tom Ham   Photography