Idles - Ultra Mono

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.

Yet the big questions have just got bigger. The world has been in chaos ever since their 2017 debut album Brutalism, so it should come as no surprise that, once again, Idles are both an outlet and a conduit for pent-up rage, with the difference being that ‘pent-up’ has taken on a whole new meaning in 2020. For months now, we’ve had no choice but to watch on as these populist governments have proven to be little more than campaigners, not governors. The urge to shout ‘I told you so’ has surely never been more acutely felt, and it’s getting harder and harder to #BeKind.

https://www.live4ever.uk.com/2020/09/album-review-idles-ultra-mono/