The brutal and eminently vital IDLES have just released a video for a new song – ‘Grounds’ – and announced details of the release of their third album – ‘Ultra Mono’ – out on 25 September 2020 through Partisan Records.
‘Grounds’ is pure IDLES – swiftly moving, aggressive and sharp yet leavened by a poetic and articulate delivery that provides wry observations on the human condition. Singer Joe Talbot says of the single:
We wanted to write a song that embodied self-belief, and gave us self-belief – a counter-punch to all the doubt we build up from all the noise we so easily let in. We wanted to make the sound of our own hearts’ marching band, armed with a jack hammer and a smile. We wanted to make the sound of our engine starting. So we did. Thank you.
The accompanying video is a sparse and circular tale of the way we treat ourselves – wait until the end to see the denouement:
Recorded in Paris and produced by Nick Launay (Nick Cave, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Arcade Fire) and Adam ‘Atom’ Greenspan (Anna Calvi, Cut Copy), with Kenny Beats (FKA Twigs, DaBaby, Vince Staples), ‘Ultra Mono’ also features guest vocals from Jehnny Beth (Savages), and additional guest contributions from Warren Ellis (Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds), David Yow, and Jamie Cullum.
Ahead of album release, IDLES will also host a series of three live performances from an iconic studio on Aug 29-30, which will be professionally recorded, filmed, and livestreamed. Upon purchase of a ticket, attendees will receive a unique link to access the performance live. Tickets on sale now, more info and link to purchase here.
‘Ultra Mono’ can be pre-ordered here.
‘Ultra Mono’ tracklist:
- War
- Grounds
- Mr. Motivator
- Anxiety
- Kill Them With Kindness
- Model Village
- Ne Touche Pas Moi (feat. Jehnny Beth)
- Carcinogenic
- Reigns
- The Lover
- A Hymn
- Danke
Feature Photograph: Tom Ham
