IDLES "Ultra Mono" Album Review

credits: Russel Oliver and Nigel Talbot

Idles does it again with their third studio album Ultra Mono. The Bristol punk band never seems to disappoint with the quality and care presented in each record. Idles is known for speaking on social issues and generally taboo topics and they seem to continue this theme throughout Ultra Mono. After loads of negativity for their controversial opinions on the first record, the band comes back unprovoked and ready to show the hate that they simply don’t care.

credits: Ed Norton

One example of these topics can be found in track seven, “Ne Touche Pas Moi,” a song whose title is grammatically incorrect, is directed towards the repetition of consent. What should’ve been “Ne Me Touche Pas” was left in to show that mistakes are common and it’s more honest when left alone. “This Is my dance space! Ne Touche Pas Moi! Consent! Consent! Consent!” The lyrics are almost a warning signal to catcallers and more specifically at shows in mosh pits. As seen through previous live shows with the band, they are ones to enforce protecting others within the crowd. One of the singles released for Ultra Mono was a song called “Model Village.” A personal favorite of mine, this song explains the ideals of the nobody's perfect trope. A model village is seen as perfect, but there’s always an underlying source harbouring bad ideas. “He’s “not a racist but” in the village” is one example brought to light through the song. In Reigns, the song is targeting the wealthy and royal, questioning how the power makes them feel, questioning if they are truly using their power for the right reasons. Idles pushes the questions, “How does it feel to have blue blood coursing through your veins? How does it feel to have shanked the working classes into dust?”

credits: Ed Norton

It’s subjects like this that make the band stand out. They are fearless when it comes to pushing boundaries. The overall production is quite notable as well, Adam Greenspan, Kenny Beats, and Nick Launay are to thank for that. Overall, Ultra Mono was everything anyone could have wished for from Idles. As for honest mess, a 9/10 for the nearly perfect twelve track album. Out on Partisan Records now.