Idles - Ultra Mono

Ultra Mono is the third studio album by English punk rock band Idles, released in September 2020 via Partisan Records.

Idles formed in 2009 in Bristol, UK, and comprise Joe Talbot (vocals), Mark Bowen (guitar), Lee Kiernan (guitar), Adam Devonshire (bass) and Jon Beavis (drums).

Ultra Mono was recorded in Paris and produced by Nick Launay (Nick Cave, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Arcade Fire, Midnight Oil) and Adam ‘Atom’ Greenspan (Anna Calvi, Cut Copy), with Kenny Beats (FKA Twigs, DaBaby, Vince Staples) providing additional programming. Ultra Mono was sonically constructed to capture the feeling of a hip-hop record.

Ultra Mono also features guest vocals from Jehnny Beth (Savages), and additional guest contributions from Warren Ellis (Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds), David Yow, and Jamie Cullum.

Their previous studio album Joy As An Act Of Resistance (2018) was one of the best reviewed rock records of 2018, debuting top 5 on the official UK album charts. Joy earned the band instantly legendary performances at Glastonbury, Jools Holland, NPR’s Tiny Desk, a Mercury Prize nomination and sold out tours across the world.

Following on from their previous album, the Ultra Mono further explores themes established in the band's previous works such as the modern socio-political climate, class struggle, mental health and toxic masculinity, as well as the positive and negative aspects of the bands newfound fame.

The record was supported by five singles, the first of which was the promotional single "Mr. Motivator", released May 2020. This was followed by the lead single "Grounds" in June 2020, "A Hymn" in July 2020, "Model Village" in August 2020 and "War" which coincided with the release of the album on 25 September 2020.

The album has been met with generally positive reviews with Louder Than War rating the album 10 out of 10, declaring this is the best of their career to date.

This album is a limited edition black cassette with printed insert, pressed in the US via Partisan Records.