"Ultra Mono" is the third studio album by English band IDLES, released on 25 September 2020 by Partisan Records. Following on from their previous album "Joy As An Act Of Resistance", the album further explores themes established in the band's previous works such as the modern sociopolitical climate, class struggle, mental health and toxic masculinity, as well as the positive and negative aspects of the band's newfound fame.
The record was supported by five singles, the first of which was the promotional single "Mr. Motivator", released on 19 May 2020. This was followed by the lead single "Grounds" on 16 June 2020 (see it below), "A Hymn" on 14 July 2020, "Model Village" on 11 August 2020 and "War" which coincided with the release of the album on 25 September 2020. To further promote the album, the band are scheduled to go on tour beginning in April 2021 with a string of intimate instore shows across the UK, in addition to a larger tour taking place across the UK and Ireland from May to June 2021.
Joe Talbot – lead vocals
Adam Devonshire – bass guitar, backing vocalsv
Mark Bowen – lead guitar, production
Jon Beavis – drums
Lee Kiernan – rhythm guitar
You will not catch me staring at the sun
Not sucking on a dum dum
Not turning round to run
No Hallelujahs and no kingdom comes
Today's tune "Grounds" taken from the latest release "Ultra Mono"
If you don’t get blown away by IDLES, you may not get blown away by anything. This goes beyond whether you’re into rock or not. Rock it is, though. Spastic and rhythmical, captivating and polemic, intense and edgy in a postpunk sense, humorous and tragic, smart and dumb, exhilarated and pissed off, vulnerable and mean as hell, brave and scared shitless. IDLES question themselves, masculinity and their homeland, takes a stranglehold on nationalism and increasing narrowness, do not hold back all because why would they? It’s like they’re on a mission to recapture the concept of ”honesty” from those dark forces who claim to ”tell it like it is”. The underlying violence in the band’s music does actually express a concern that society no longer can offer.
Just in time for their tenth anniversary, things look good for the Bristol quintet. Lead vocalist Joe Talbot owns an ability to transform personal grief into universal anthems that attack all the listener’s senses and it’s done with full force on Joy As An Act Of Resistance, the band’s second album that was released last year. Solomon Burke’s soul classic Cry To Me sure is impeccable but the intensity IDLES bring into their version make the song something completely different than we’re used to. That’s just how it is with IDLES. Without preaching and without appearing superior they make you want to revalue, they make you want to change, they see every human as a hope and as an asset rather than a burden. A lot of people have a lot to learn from them.
IDLES did perform at 15.50 on Linné, Thursday Aug 8. Awesome show!
IDLES, are an English punk rock band formed in Bristol in 2009. Their debut album, Brutalism, was released in 2017 to critical acclaim, as was their second album Joy as an Act of Resistance in 2018.
Today's tune "Mother" is taken from the debut album "Brutalism", released in March 2017.
The video was shot at Dilston Grove, one of CGP London's 2 galleries in the heart of Southwark Park in south London. CGP is an artist-led gallery founded in 1984 by The Bermondsey Artists' Group.
They commission major artworks by artists at all stages of their career. It's a vital part of London's art scene offering space and support that no-one else can across two stunning galleries.
Its an amazing cavernous raw space that hosts a lot of performance, music and live art. They rent it out in between shows to get the crucial funding they need to keep supporting artists. There's nowhere quite like it!
Dilston is one of the first poured concrete structures in the UK, built in 1909 by Cambridge University. It had been derelict since the 60s until the gallery took it on. There'd been a mission church on that site since 1896 after Bishop of Rochester, Edward Stuart TALBOT decided Cambridge should have a post in South London to support the poor.
The Bristol based modern rockers TAX THE HEAT recently announced the release of their new album "Change Your Position", which will be in stores on 9th March 2018. "Change Your Position" is the follow up to the 2016 critically-acclaimed debut album "Fed To The Lions" and sees the band taking a huge step forward as both songwriters and performers.
The new album stamps its authority right from the off with the first single stomper "Money In the Bank" to the second single and today's tune the slow groove and instant lyrical piece of "All That Medicine".
Alex Veale | Jack Taylor | Antonio Angotti | JP Jacyshyn
Bristol based rock band TURBOWOLF release "Two Hands" already 2015, but with massive musical releases I missed this one totally. The bands sound contains elements of rock & roll, psychedelia, heavy metal, punk rock, stoner and electronica. Interesting mix indeed.
TURBOWOLF founded in Bristol, UK whose members include Chris Georgiadis (Vocals / Synth), Andy Ghosh (Guitar), Lianna Lee Davies (Bass) & Blake Davies (Drums). They released their debut album (titled Turbowolf) on 11 November 2011 on Hassle Records. The second album "Two hands" was out on the 6th of April 2015. TURBOWOLF also have stated that they are already working on a new album named "Quell: The Ever Changing Sorcerer of Past, Present & Future" which is noted to be released when the next solar eclipse takes place.
Today's tune "Rabbits Foot" is taken from the second album "Two Hands", enjoy!
