At a point of uncertainty, IDLES bring you concise carnage. At a time of lies, IDLES bring you honesty. At a time of body shaming and Photoshop, IDLES bring you a visceral barrage of joyous bile. At a time of The Kardashians, IDLES bring you a story of working hard for what and who you love. In a time of polarised politics and murky waters; IDLES and bands like them are needed to remind people that it's ok to dance and laugh and sing in the face of adversity.
Bristol’s finest post - punk polemics IDLES have been promising to do great things for some time now, and with their debut album “Brutalism” they absolutely fulfil that promise, and a furious promise at that.
Politically charged, refreshingly confrontational and infectiously volatile, IDLES are a band like no other. Bringing the unsettling reality of the world we live in into their frantic assault on the senses, they are a band that until now could only be truly understood by witnessing in a live environment but with “Brutalism” it surely feels like they have captured the intensity of that live sound. Bottled up here are the abrasive, memorable lyrics of Joseph Talbot delivered with all of the spite and wry humour he puts across on the stage.
Dedicated in part to the loss of his mother, who adorns the record’s cover, and partly to a perceived decimation of society, from the NHS to public services across Britain, “Brutalism” is a deadly serious indictment on popular culture – Mary Berry, Trevor Nelson and Rachel Khoo are just some of the names referenced here, often alongside the unpleasant, but always amongst the real.
The November 2016 release of single “Well Done” saw the band rise to no.1 on Spotify’s Viral Charts & paired with intensive radio support from Huw Stephens, Annie Mac, Steve Lamacq and regular Radio 6 play has brought them to the forefront of ones to watch. NME, CRACK, DIY and more have tipped them over the festive period and the quality here suggests there will be more plaudits to come when the album reaches the shops in March.
From the propulsive opener, “Heel / Heal”, and many highlights (“Well Done”, “Mother”, “Date Night”, “1049 Gotho”, “Stendahl Syndrome” just some) to the rare respite of the closer “Slow Savage”, the album marks the arrival of a true British talent – and in a musical world that can seem increasingly benign, one with so much to say
Live dates
April
8th BATH - Komedia https://goo.gl/9Lvd7V
9th PLYMOUTH - The Hub https://goo.gl/BNfpf1
11th SOUTHEND - Chinnery’s https://goo.gl/wfS1YU
12th RAMSGATE - Music Hall - SOLD OUT
13th MILTON KEYNES - The Crauford Arms SOLD OUT
14th COVENTRY - Central Library SOLD OUT
15th BLACKPOOL - Bootleg Social https://goo.gl/Fv4hb6
17th GLASGOW - G2 SOLD OUT
18th MANCHESTER - Gorilla SOLD OUT
19th LONDON - Heaven SOLD OUT
Here's what the press think of IDLES
IDLES are hard to capture, because they're not Fat White Family, they're not Sleaford Mods, they are very much their own incarnation of uncompromising rhythmical punk rock. Lyrically, a mixture of dry obsessional humour and poetic slogans. But, best of all, they really get the adrenalin pumping" - Steve Lamacq BBC6 Music
A Bristol quintet who sound absolutely furious and thrilling; an inchoate cry of rage, with guitars that could raze the city – The Guardian
Idles are one of the most exciting British bands right now and Brutalism is proof - The Line Of Best Fit
Brutalism is loaded with some of the most fiery performances and brutally honest lyrics I've heard in years. - The Needle Drop
Visceral anthems that’s timed weirdly well for this year’s madness – NME
A rare rock record with the rage, urgency, wit and shattering of complacency usually found only in grime. – Uncut
Politically charged, an emotional complex of unsettling truths delivered with a sharp charisma and cathartic vulnerability – Dork
Brutalism is an unhinged and severely vicious record that questions everyday conventions and isn’t afraid to attack certain taboos. The 13 track debut album is a goliath sounding record driven by a simplistic, thumping rhythm section, topped with cacophonous guitars and obtuse, thought-provoking lyrics. – CLASH
Uncompromising post-punks building a massive fanbase across the UK – DIY
One of the best live bands out there – CRACK
Sheer bleak beauty – Louder Than War
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