Idles share new single ‘Grace’
Idles are well and truly back in business. Following up their recent single, ‘Dancer’, featuring LCD Soundsystem, the band have now shared ‘Grace’.
Prepping for the release of their new album Tangk in February 2024, ‘Grace’ offers a softer taste of their sound. Co-produced by Radiohead collaborator Nigel Godrich, that influence comes through loud and clear. A slow burner of a track, the Bristsol band seem to be doing things differently on this new release, rather than their usual punk raucousness.
They’ve also collaborated again with hip-hop producer Kenny Beats, giving ‘Grace’ a tight rhythm and subtly catchiness to the rolling track. Joe Talbot’s vocals come through crisply in one of his finest performances to date, finally letting his singing voice have a real chance to shine.
However, the punk spirit is not lost. It’s in the lyrics of the track that the band keep their critical eye sharp. Talbot sings, “No god, no king, I said love is the thing,” as the band seem to be laying out the manifesto for their new record. Merging their typical anti-establishment and anti-monarchy stance with a new wash of optimism, the track is about love triumphing over nihilism. Urging their listeners to live and love and feel to their fullest, it’s a real life-affirming moment for the band.
Talking about the track, Talbot said, “The song came from nowhere and everything. It was a breath and a call to be held. The only words or singing that came from our sessions with Nigel and I needed it, truly. All is love.”
Contrasting the lyricism optimism with the dark grunginess of the instrumental, the contradiction is delicious. Throwing off the typical post-punk attire the band have worn for a long time, ‘Grace’ and ‘Dancer’ find a new kind of playfulness and experimentation. Suggesting that Tangk could deliver something very different for Idles, we’re excited for more to come.
Alongside the album, the band have announced a huge tour. Taking them around Europe, North America, the UK, Canada and beyond. Their UK leg will culminate in a 10,000-capacity show at London’s Alexandra Palace.
Clearly levelling everything up in terms of scale, sound and message, Idles have entered a new era and sound better than ever.
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