Ultra Mono - Idles: Review
is a British punk rock band who first began to attract major critical attention with their 2017 debut album Brutalism which introduced the world to their socially charged song themes and snarling lead vocalist Joe Talbot. They pushed their sound and societal critiques even higher on a critically acclaimed follow-up in 2018 before adjusting their style to fit a more conventional rock sound on their 3rd record.
Review By Lavender:
While I don't think either of the first two Idles records are masterpieces I did thoroughly enjoy them both and what the band offers is in short supply right now. Given the jump they made from album 1 to album to I was hoping that the band would take an even bigger step and drop one of the best albums of the year on Ultra Mono but after a few singles I didn't have much hope left. The record isn't bad but it is seeped in awkwardness with awkward lyrics and chunky fist-pumping riffs that feel below the band after their first two records avoided nearly all cliches.
The records lead single Mr. Motivator attracted a lot of attention when it first came out, most of which was directed at its lyrics. There is a clear tone of irony here but it just doesn't go over well and the lyrics ultimately feel just as corny as the motivational type tracks they set out to parody in the first place. The song isn't terrible from a musical sense and I guess if you can look past the lyrical content it could be a decent tune. Grounds was the second single and I didn't love it either, but it has grown on me a little bit with the help of the strong start the album gets off to. The growling vocals are absolutely menacing and I enjoy the hook quite a bit. The instrumental is pretty forceful and the result is a song that at the very least does go hard.
Thankfully I thought the next two single were a lot better. A Hymn seemed like a weird single at the time given that it is the longest song on the record and it's slowest developing, but it is also one of the best tracks here. Not only is the band genuinely wearing their hearts on their sleeves but also doing it with a great sound palette and simple refrains that do the trick. I wouldn't have thought a track of this nature would be a highlight on an Idles record but it most certainly is. My favorite single and my favorite track on the record came next with the snarling societal slam Model Village. It kicks off with a roaring angular guitar riff and gets back to some of the core politics that have defined the band so far. I love the symbolism of the village and the increasing grit and disgust in the vocals as the track caries on. The hook is also an absolute throat shredder and I just really enjoy the whole track.
While there aren't many moments on the record that blow me away there are a few more highlights to go over. That great start I mentioned earlier is mostly due to the opener War a throttling beginning with some weird lyrics and timely screamed vocals. The unmistakable energy of the track comes from the hailing wall of guitars that crash in and out of the song and it sets a precedent that I wish the record followed better. Ne Touche Pas Moi is a straight up fast paced punk rager with backing vocals from Jhenny Beth of Savages on supporting vocals. The pairing works really well and the song doesn't stick around for a moment longer than it needs to. The only other song I flat out loved was the closer Danke which follows A Hymn and makes for a major change of pace. It brings the energy back into the album with rapid fire instrumental shifts. It's one of the only tracks here that could fit in snuggly with the rest of the bands discography and I think it is a satisfying closer to the record.
Kill Them With Kindness is another track with some incredibly corny lyrics. On the other hand it is kind of a jam with some vocal gymnastic I didn't know Joe was capable of and has a pretty strong instrumental closing. Carcinogenic has an explosive punk ethos and lyrical sentiment but definitely lacks some of the excitement that the bands best music has. Speaking of a lack of excitement I didn't much care for Reigns even though there are some decent parts of the track. It is a total slog with a hook that just drags on and on and verses that lack progression to the point where they become even more difficult to sit through. The instrumental is decent but it can only do so much for the song.
The track Anxiety has a slick 80's punk style bassline but that is pretty much it for stuff I like about the song. There are some major lyrical shortcomings with the hook falling particularly flat. Given how much of the song is taken up by these weak refrains particularly in the second half and I just don't get it. The Lover is the records biggest mess of a song. Joe goes for a poppy sensibility in the first 30 seconds of the song but it tries to pull a trick that doesn't go over well. I think the gimmick here is that it isn't actually a sweet song about love it's actually a furious moment of punk rage. The problem is after the first reveal the track tries to settle back into its sweeter verses which just gets incredibly tedious. Even the climax isn't very good so I'm just not sure what to make of it.
Ultra Mono doesn't really hit me in the same way that the bands first two records did. Whether it is about the weaker songwriting or the incredibly on the nose and awkward ass lyricism and topics at hand. Not only does the record not have as excellent high points as its predecessors but it also features some of the most head scratching tracks I have ever heard from the band. While I will definitely be very excited for whatever the band does next this record came off as very average despite all its noise. 6/10
Album Cover Review By Tyler Judson:
This cover is weird. I'm confused and from first glace I don't enjoy it. It's a funny image and concept and made well but you also have a huge amount of non utilized space on the left and everything else is muddy coloring and a little bit hard to make out. So I don't really understand the point of this cover. 3/10
For more punk check out my review of Protomartyr's Ultimate Success Today here
