Idles have released their third studio album Ultra Mono today – have a listen below on New Music Friday.
The follow-up to Joy As An Act Of Resistance sees the band throwing their arms out even wider to the loyal fanbase which has been built up during the past few years, whilst at the same time taking an uncompromising aim at those who’ve rallied against the gang since the release of that landmark record in 2018; if Joy As An Act Of Resistance brought the final touches to the Idles manifesto, Ultra Mono finds them fiercely defending it.
“While it’s 95% abrasive rock music, there are some new frills presumably sanctioned and encouraged by Kenny Beats,” our review reads. “Kill Them With Kindness opens with some quite beautifully tender piano (before becoming another monster with strangled guitar, obviously), while The Lover has a metallic sheen not found before.”
“A Hymn, meanwhile, is the most progressive thing they’ve done and points to a possible future. The unearthly intro followed by chiming guitar invokes a slow-burning attack under the guise of industrial rock more familiar to fans of Nine Inch Nails. A bit more of this would have been welcome, but its uniqueness on the record only contributes to an already special song.”
