“It’s a Parade of Laughing at the Funeral” IDLES Release New Album, ‘Joy as an Act of Resistance’

“It’s a Parade of Laughing at the Funeral”
IDLES Release New Album, ‘Joy As An Act of Resistance’
 It’s a parade of laughing at the funeral, of listening to the bastards, of phlegm on the mirrorfrontman Joe Talbot states when talking about Idles new album, Joy as an Act of Resistance. After giving up alcohol recently and gaining back his sense of taste and smell, this album acts as Talbot's furious commentary on British society and anyone can see that it is a big Bristolian middle-finger proudly shoved down the throat of society. The band’s quick, significant following proves that the punk aesthetic they project is something that is becoming a bit- dare I say it- popular.
After being boldly declared as the “UK’s best punk band” by The Guardian, it will come as no shocker as this album stomps its boot firmly down and regurgitates its punk roots. With mixing from Adam Greenspan and Nick Launay (Arcade Fire, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Kate Bush) this second LP takes aim at everything from toxic masculinity, nationalism, immigration and class inequality- all while maintaining an instinctive, infectious positivity (hence the name). How clever?!
Album opener ‘Colossus’ blows a Queens of the Stone Age stench before going down a punkier route towards the end of the 5-minute track, all whilst injecting an Idles mentality. Later on, track ‘Danny Nedelko’ proves that the Bristol boys have their heads screwed on as they shout about pro-immigration. ‘Danny Nedelko’ was one of the album’s singles, and the pro-immigration anthem takes its title from one of the band’s closest friends (and Ukrainian immigrant). It’s mis-leadingly simple on the surface and has a chanting chorus that is slightly reminiscent of The Buzzcocks but Talbot screams for unison as he says, “He’s made of bones, he’s made of blood/ He’s made of flesh, He’s made of love/ He’s made of you, He’s made of me/ Unity.  
It could be argued that Idles are band that we have never needed more. By taking controversial, important subjects and turning them into a pissed-up mosh pit, they are finally getting people talking and dancing to things that need to be heard.

Listen to the album on Spotify from August 31st (tomorrow).

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