Ultra Mono
Ultra Mono enlarges everything that makes IDLES recognisable. The drums hit hard, the guitars make sharp noise, and Joe Talbot shapes his words into clear slogans. The band play with so much conviction that the energy comes across almost automatically. That forceful approach also makes the weaker sides of their sound easier to hear.
War opens without restraint. The bass pushes forward, the guitars burst apart, and the drums give the attack a firm foundation. Grounds chooses a barer, interrupted movement. Tension comes from the band leaving more out. It is a useful difference on a record that often wants to sound big and loud.
The direct approach works when rhythm and words reinforce each other. Anxiety has a nervous power, while Reigns builds a clear threat through its abrasive sound. Drummer Jon Beavis keeps the music sharp. His parts give the tracks momentum and prevent volume becoming the only source of movement.
A few changes in sound help too. Jamie Cullum's quiet piano at the start of Kill Them With Kindness is abruptly interrupted by the band. It is a small, effective moment of humour. A Hymn steps away from that exuberance instead. The song maintains tension in a sparer, more serious form, offering a welcome pause within the constant pressure.
The limitations mainly involve repetition and broad statements. Some lyrics say exactly what they mean but leave little room for a second thought. The guitars also supply extra pressure more often than a truly distinctive part. Ultra Mono consequently offers fewer surprises than the first two albums. It has enough strong moments and rhythmic power to make an impression, but the band are less consistently convincing than their volume might suggest.
