Search results: Sleaford Mods

Review: Sleaford Mods' second album, Divide and Exit, originally self-released, now sees a remastered reissue through Rough Trade Records, commemorating its tenth anniversary. This album marks a pivotal moment for the duo, encapsulating the societal decay and class consciousness of contemporary Britain with a fiercer focus than before via tracks like celebrated 'Tiswas' and 'Tweet Tweet Tweet'. The album's urgent, compact sound reflects a raw punk energy, serving as a powerful vehicle for their outrage and socio-political commentary. Reflecting on the album's impact, Williamson notes its punk ethos and pioneering spirit, with each song seamlessly flowing into the next, creating a cohesive sonic journey. Indeed, Divide and Exit stands as a beacon of originality, carving out new territory in the musical landscape.

Review: If you don't know what Nottingham duo Sleaford Mods are all about by now then where have you been? They lay down raw, ragged MIDI beats that are deceptively simply but impossibly catch, with pressing social commentary and Tory baiting lyrics over the top. This new album UK Grim - a play on UK Grime, no doubt - is even more dance floor focussed than any before it. The gritty reality of modern life and all its pitfalls are in sharp focus throughout making it another gem from this much loved duo that also somewhat redefines their sound in new ways.

Review: Unabashed satirical wares straight outta Nottingham, Sleaford Mods somewhat charming embrace of British provincialism sees the semi-ironic nature of their music nestle itself in a space shared with Jamie T, Mike Skinner and Blackout Crew. Slightly wayward, political and patronising, their music can sometimes come off something like a scene out of Peep Show, though however tongue-in-cheek their commentary of the UK life can be, it's a gloriously proud album of cultural identity, and in among references to chip tune, bedroom produced beats, alternative Madchester-era sounds to rap and spoken word, it's a record embracing hoodies and trainers as much as it does anarchy and builder's tea. Oi!

Review: Sleaford Mods have long dealt in biting, angry and frustrated social commentary. Right now, they're not short on inspirations, and it's this that makes 'UK Grim' such a terrific album. Throughout, mic man Jason Williamson takes aims at the ills of the UK and the increasingly dark, nasty rhetoric of the Conservative government that he so clearly detests. Combine these inspired vocal diatribes (shout-along hooks included) with backing tracks that don't shy away from making things heavy, paranoid and intense - think warped, weighty basslines, lo-fi drum machine rhythms and fuzzy, scuzzy, post-punk guitars - and you have one of the Nottingham duo's most hard-hitting and breathlessly brilliant albums to date... and that's saying something.

Review: Festival favourites and working-class heroes Sleaford Mods hail from the East Midlands and have become the voice of the oppressed and the pissed off. Their gritty, lo-fi, raw and stripped-back music is powered by punky electronic beats and overlaid with bars spat out with real anger and ire. They have churned out plenty of it by now, subtle tweaking the template each time but never losing the visceral appeal. This new album UK Grim - a play on UK Grime? - is more dancefloor focussed than before it with the angst and pitfalls of modern life all addressed. It's another winner, no doubt.

Review: Considering it was only last year when Sleaford Mods dropped their prized UK Top 10 LP 'Eton Alive' it's almost jarring they should now unveil a Best Of, of sorts. It's hardly time to reflect when you're one of the most vital acts in contemporary British pop. But then the record stands up on its own merit, too, more than living up to the name by offering an insight into the ties - or rather tracks - that bind together the outfit's seven year career to date. Those familiar with the work of Jason Williamson and Andrew Fearn will not be surprised to learn the contents here are visceral, heartfelt, stubborn, angry, and stood with tongue firmly in cheek. Observations from an island still riddled with inequality and led by donkeys, set to the kind of catchy but raw guitar, sequencer and drum work that can't help but take you for a ride.

Review: "Sometimes you're better off dead... There's a gun in your hand and it's pointing at your head.." Sleaford Mods re-rub the Pet Shop Boys classic 'West End Girls' with typically sardonic Midlands wit - you must know by now, this one has been impossible to avoid. What's even better than all that is the profits are going to homeless charity Shelter. Even PSB purists can't complain, either, as the duo have contributed their own extended mix to the five track affair.

Review: After the 30 Something retrospective that landed during 2022, comes a new Orbital album proper, Optical Delusion, set to be accompanied by a busy summer of gig and festival dates by the looks of it. The album's taster single 'Dirty Rat' was a corker, too, full of post-Brexit/Boris bile and a biting vocal from Sleaford Mods frontman Jason Williamson, not to mention some striking Orbital musical trademarks. It could well point the way forward for more interesting collaborations - perhaps taking a leaf out of Leftfield's book - on the album, though only time will tell. Either way, a serious portion of new material from one of the dance world's most enduring and best loved acts will be feverishly anticipated.