Our pick of the albums reviewed on these pages during the past seven days is Idles‘ polemical third studio album Ultra Mono – revisit the 9/10 review and check the album out via Spotify:
“Idles could have conceivably found themselves in a quandary for their third album.”
“How to balance succeeding a lauded mainstream record with having a devoted ‘cult’ following? Joy As An Act Of Resistance took everyone (bar the AF Gang) by surprise; prominent on all end of year lists, as well as being nominated at the BRIT Awards and for the Mercury Prize, it was a true crossover hit covering toxic masculinity, immigration, racism and a whole of host of other uncomfortable subjects. Added to this, the five-piece continued to incrementally grow their fanbase via life-affirming gigs and festival slots.”
“To their immense credit, rather than chase success here Idles have doubled down on their core ingredients. Having created a sense of community not seen since The Libertines’ guerrilla gigs at the early part of the century, Ultra Mono finds them to be more of a fan’s band than ever.”
