The Bristol five-piece return with an album teaming with politically charged anthems
Following their breakout into the wider mainstream consciousness with Joy As An Act Of Resistance back in 2018, beloved Bristolian post-punk outfit IDLES have today released their third studio album. Entitled Ultra Mono, this record finds the band bringing in hip-hop production aesthetics from Kenny Beats to piano interludes from Jamie Cullum. But loyal punk fans need not fret - this is as scathing in its messaging as the band’s previous work.
Since they first came to prominence with their 2015 debut album Brutalism, IDLES have had their authenticity and motives repeatedly called into question. With the release of UItra Mono, IDLES tackle both the troubling world around them and the people that want to bring them down. From the smashing, vibrance of War through to the frenetic, chaotic and brutal Anxiety and the anti-anthem single, Model Village, the five-piece have cemented themselves as future stadium fillers.
IDLES’ oppressive nature of modern Britain is prevalent throughout the record. “There is a class war and the working classes are being chewed up and spat out by the one per cent,” Talbot said in the punks’ recent NME cover story. “There are food banks in this country. There is a complete disregard for human welfare.” Later, guitarist Mark Bowen explained that IDLES “want equality and to further [it] in whatever way we can – through our art.”
"Ultra Mono is the almighty sound of the do getting done" - MOJO Magazine
In anticipation of their release, we welcomed the band into Studio Two for a three-part livestream. The sets featured a host of new tracks, including singles Model Village, A Hymn and Mr. Motivator, as well as past favourites such as Colossus and Never Fight a Man with a Perm.
The band managed to fit in a few covers too, including takes on The Strokes and The Ramones, finishing with a colossal rendition of The Beatles’Helter Skelter. "You sense the wheels might come off any time – and that’s the thrill" — NME Magazine.
Abbey Road talks to IDLES
Ahead of their livestream performances, we caught up with IDLES’ Mark Bowen and Lee Kiernan who spoke to us on why they chose to livestream from Studio Two, their process behind writing and recording Ultra Mono and advice they would give to emerging artists starting their career.
