IDLES – TANGK
A raucous expression of love, TANGK is raw, vulnerable and inimitably IDLES
IDLES are a brute force of love, an embrace of kindness, a shoulder to cry on when in need. Their fifth studio album TANGK typifies this. Drawing on undertones of soul from their 2018 breakout album Joy As An Act of Resistance, whilst also exploring new sonic boundaries, IDLES’ latest lens focuses on gratitude, perseverance, and bounds of love.
Eerie opening track IDEA 01 is barged aside by Gift Horse, a classic incendiary IDLES number that snarls at the UK monarchy and colonial empire. Frontman Joe Talbot’s talks of 'freudenfreude' (meaning 'joy on joy' or the opposite to schadenfreude) revolve around glitchy drums and synths on POP POP POP before his soul comes alive on Roy – which can only be described as a Stax soul track on steroids.
Juxtaposing softer moments like A Gospel offers welcome respite, but Grace brings a new dimension to the band entirely. Talbot’s bright, melodic singing voice has been non-existent until now, and his gentle delivery and hopeful lyrics make this song the beating heart of the album: 'No god / No king / I said love is the thing'.
A raucous expression of love, TANGK is raw, vulnerable and inimitably IDLES.
Listen to: Grace, Gift Horse