IDLES share video for “Kill Them With Kindness”

Album release: out now
Label: Partisan Records
More info: Idles’ website

Today, IDLES have shared a new animated video for album highlight “Kill Them With Kindness”. The video, which was directed and designed by James Carbutt and animated by Pip Williamson, is taken from the band’s critically-acclaimed UK number one album “Ultra Mono“, which was released in September via Partisan Records. 

Speaking about the video, the director says, “The dingy pub setting in the film is based on the Working Men’s Clubs of my hometown (Barnsley). It was nice to imagine IDLES bursting in and spreading a message of love. During our research we discovered that no two Wetherspoons carpets are the same, they are all unique like snowflakes, so yeah making this film was a wild ride.”

IDLES – “Kill Them With Kindness“

The band’s new video follows the release of other “Ultra Mono” standouts “War”, “Mr. Motivator”, “Grounds”, “Hymns” and “Model Village“, the latter accompanied by an animated music video directed by Michel Gondry (Daft Punk, Radiohead, The White Stripes) and Olivier Gondry, created in collaboration with WePresent, WeTransfer’s editorial platform.

Looking ahead to 2021, IDLES are preparing to make their much-anticipated live return in the UK and Ireland with tour dates across May and June 2021, which will see them play Brixton Academy on four consecutive dates.

The tour will see the band joined by the likes Jehnny Beth, Anna Calvi, Cate le Bon, Sinead O Brien, Big Joanie, Witch Fever, Shopping and wych elm.

Dates are as follows:

Tickets are on sale now and you can purchase the new album from the band’s official store at: idlesband.com 

Fans can also sign up to their mailing list for further news at: IDLES.LNK.TO/NEWS

In addition to the above live dates, IDLES will also play an almost entirely sold-out run of intimate out-store shows to take place for record stores across the country in April 2021. The dates are as follows:

12th April – Southampton, The 1865 (with Vinilo Records) – SOLD OUT
13th April – Portsmouth, Guildhall (with Pie & Vinyl)
15th April – Brighton, Concorde 2 (with Resident) – SOLD OUT
16th April – Hull, The Adelphi Club (with HMV) – SOLD OUT
17th April – Newcastle, Boiler Shop (with HMV) – SOLD OUT
19th April – Dundee, Fat Sams (with Assai Records) – SOLD OUT
20th April – Leeds, Beckett (with Crash Records) – SOLD OUT
22nd April – Oxford, O2 Academy (with Truck) – SOLD OUT
23rd April – London, Pryzm (with Banquet Records) – SOLD OUT
25th April – Bristol, Louisiana (with Friendly Records) – SOLD OUT
26th April – Bristol, Louisiana (with Friendly Records) – SOLD OUT

Tickets are available at: IDLES.LNK.TO/2021-OUTSTORES

Recorded in Paris and produced by Nick Launay (Nick Cave, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Arcade Fire) 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. Across all twelve brutally relevant tracks, the band double down on the vitriolic sneer and blunt social commentary of their past work, with themes of active presence, inclusivity, class, gender inequality, nationalism, community, and toxic masculinity remaining ever-present. ‘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.

If their last record – 2018’s “Joy As An Act
Of Resistance” – was meant to detail IDLES’ manifesto, then “Ultra Mono” is the sound of the band heading into battle, battering ram in hand, for those tenets. The phrase “momentary acceptance of the self” serves as spiritual guide and mantra throughout, as Talbot elaborates on further in an essay printed inside the album’s physical packaging (read that HERE).

Praise for “Ultra Mono”:

“Their magnus opus… IDLES have rationalised their fury into a single giant bullethead.”
Mojo – 4/5

“IDLES have delivered the record of their career. It could only have come out in 2020. This is the album of this moment in time and a door to a better future.”
Louder Than War 10/10

“It could be the most vital album we hear all 2020.”
The Independent – 4/5

“Louder, angrier & more political”
Q – 4/5

“for tens of thousands of people Ultra Mono is going to mean the world”
VICE

“This is a great album.”
Classic Rock – 8/10

“IDLES’ message of community & compassion is ready to reach its biggest audience yet.”
DIY

“Ultra Mono scours like bleach.”
Uncut – 8/10

“The band want to take you on a trip and for you to enjoy the ride, and for the destination to be serene. Hold on tight.”
NME 4/5

“this is album of the year material, make no mistake”
In Stereo

“A collection of undeniably invigorating songs that will inspire and provoke and empower”
CLASH

“IDLES deliver a message of strength, kindness and hope on their new release”
NARC – 5/5

Album Of The Month – Songwriting – 5/5

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