Idles - Brutalism
Idles - Brutalism
Sneering, bristling, sarcastic (post?) punk rock in the classic hardcore mode. And it's truly some of the best I've heard in a while. There's lots of chanting, growling vocals, and noisy, screeching guitars. But there's a level of musicianship here as well. It's selective in its intensity, self-conscious in its ugliness. There's more going on here than vitriol and lashing out in every direction. There's lots of excitement and adrenaline, but that's just the shape, not the substance.
The vocals and the more melodic sections of this record show the cracks in the facade. There's a desperation and a despair underneath all that bile and bombast, a sense of alienation. It makes this music more affecting and moody than your typical moshpit material. You'll laugh and shout along with the bleak snarkiness of these songs and then cut yourself on the sharp emotional edges hidden below.
It's really good stuff. Idles have proven themselves masters of their genre with this release.
Stream in full below via YouTube.
Highlights: Mother • 1049 Gotho • White Privilege
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