Bristol five-piece IDLES have been creating riotous guitar-music since 2009 but have only this year released an album. Before that came two EP’s and a self-confessed lack of direction, but fast forward to present day and they are a different beast entirely. They are pure, visceral, power.
IDLES debut full length, Brutalism, is a merciless record created out of grief, grievance and disillusionment. Ripped with the band’s searing energy and acerbic wit, the record has deservedly been stamped as one of the best records of 2017.
There’s a dark, obtuse, bulldozing effect to IDLES music that’ll kick a hole right in the side of your head if you’ll let it, and you absolutely should.
Who better to curate a playlist for us?
Ultimate guilty pleasure…
Rihanna – ‘Stay‘ ft. Mikky Ekko
“I love this tune and I shouldn’t because it’s the vapid machine shitting out false feeling but it gives me all the feelings, so never mind.”
Best new track you’ve heard in the last few months…
David Thomas Broughton – ‘Execution‘
“Execution by David Thomas Broughton. Bowen introduced me to him after seeing him support Nick Cave. Often singer song-writer/folk music is on the wrong side of wet but every now and again you get something that eats melancholy perfectly. Execution is as haunting and mesmeric as a song can be for me. Awesome.”
A song from your favourite recently discovered band…
JOHN – ‘Squad Vowels‘
“Squad Vowels by JOHN is a proper thunderfuck for sure. They have a such a monstrous sound and his voice is most enviable too. Amazing band with a superior album.”
A song you wish you wrote…
A Frames – ‘Negative‘
“I wish I wrote Negative by A Frames just so I could play it every gig. It’s fucking bliss.“
A track from the best band to come out of your hometown (IDLES not included)…
Portishead – ‘Machine Gun‘
“The best band from Bristol? Fuck knows. Probably Portishead.“
IDLES are collectively scouted to model in a show at fashion week. Which song do you all walk down the catwalk to?
Q Lazarus – ‘Goodbye Horses‘
“Goodbye Horses by Q Lazarus is our collective jam.“
Following your catwalk debut, IDLES are asked to star in a reality TV show that documents your lives. What’s the theme tune?
Death Grips – ‘Guillotine‘
“It’d have to be something that sounds like our friendship.”
The track of your own that you’re the most proud of…
IDLES – ‘Mother‘
“Mother is probably my favourite song of ours, it’s just a simple beast that carries so much complexity and the video fit our visions so perfectly.“
