In Bristol at the University of West England in 2009, the band IDLES were birthed. Consisting of Joe Talbot (lead vocalist), Adam Devonshire (bass and backing vocals), Mark Bowen (lead Guitarist and backing vocals), Jon Beavis (drums and backing vocals) and Lee Kiernan (rhythm guitar and backing vocals) the band have released two EPs and two full length albums as of 2019. The band’s first EP in 2015, Meat, gained a cult following of punk and hard rock fans. However, after their first album Brutalism, released in 2018, they created, in my opinion, their most mature, impressive and best-sounding work to date; Joy as an Act of Resistance.
IDLES don’t fit distinctively into any genre, Joe Talbot refuses the Punk and Post Punk label stating at a concert in Manchester in 2018 “For the last time we’re not a fucking punk band”. Despite this IDLES’ message resonates with old age punk fans, angsty passionate teens and everyone in between. IDLES are a satirical, political and personal band that critique the state of our country, and the world, in a relatable and refreshing way, reflected in their songs, especially those on Joy.
Joy is a hard-hitting album, critiquing modern love, the political state of the UK, racists and toxic men. The album gives audiences a deep look into what IDLES stand for: the unity, the people and the good of human decency. Some of the most stand-out songs are worth analysing on a deeper level and are a great starting point for new listeners. One of the most encapsulating songs titled ‘Danny Nedelko’, named after a good friend of Talbot’s and an immigrant, promotes a mindset of love and appreciation for immigrants in the British public who contribute to making our country so great. Over a fast-shuffled drum rhythm, and bass, lead by a catchy guitar riff, Talbot tells the listener about the beauty of immigration, highlighting those immigrants who are now famous British icons, like Freddie Mercury. He suggests that everyone’s worth is the same and ridicules the xenophobic public for their fear of ‘different’ people. This song is a perfect example of the impassioned messages IDLES discuss in their lyrics:
“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”
Along the same politically charged lines, the song ‘Great’ stands out. Great is a song that critiques the over-zealous nationalism that some of the British public have for the country, and the flag,
especially standing out in a Brexit centric society. Talbot reiterates that the British public shouldn’t shift the blame to the scape goat of Islam for their problems before sarcastically chanting the letters to the word ‘great’ on the chorus. Alluding to the name of our country, Joe mocks the people in question for yearning for a past ‘Great’ Britain, but who are blinded to the really great aspect of our society, its diversity, by nostalgia and prejudice.
“Islam didn’t eat your hamster, Change isn’t a crime, so won’t you take my hand sir
And sing with me in time, G R E A T”
Joe, and IDLES, also take a more ironic and mocking tone with songs like ‘I’m Scum’. The
song focuses on an onslaught of insults that Joe and his band mates have been subjected to over the years for being frank and open minded left-leaning people. What’s a better way to dismantle your critiques than to join them? The song encapsulates everything that IDLES stand for, by being honest about what they believe in, and taking pride in being a lower-class citizen. The song’s chorus and title define what the upper class think of these people, assuming they are ‘scum’, and IDLES take it and wear it, feeling proud of how they were raised. The word ‘snowflake’ is often thrown at people who don’t follow right wing politics or want change for justice, and from this nickname comes possibly my favourite lyric on the album:
“This snowflake’s an avalanche”
Throughout the record, IDLES are overtly brash with their message, however still spreading a message of hope and progression, but it’s on the most sombre track on the album ‘June’ that the record takes a sharp turn. The song is named after the lead singer, Joe’s, tragic loss of his daughter. The lyrics speak for themselves and I think no one else, other than him, could describe the pain he went through. So I suggest you listen for yourself to appreciate this. Paired with Joe’s heart wrenching lyrics and drone beat that fills your headphones, this song impacts you from the first listen and stands out as one of the most memorable tracks of 2018.
“Dreams can be so cruel sometimes
I swear I kissed your crying eyes”
I feel as if I could talk about this album and how much it has impacted me forever, but justice
can only be done to it by listening for yourself. As bands go, it’s not often that we get one
as brutally honest, diverse and inspirational as IDLES and few bands can leave such a mark in such a sort time as they have. British music is flying high at the moment, with the rise of grime, pop, soul and funk, but holding the flag for rock and punk is IDLES. A band that sounds as fresh as them is not something anyone should miss out on. I’ll leave this article with an interview from Joe himself which perfectly sums up IDLES as a band.
Off the Bandwagon 