Albums to watch

Crawler

Idles

Crawler

Fourth album of indie post-punk from the Bristol quintet produced by Kenny Beats (Vince Staples, slowthai, Trash Talk)

ADM rating[?]

7.7

Label
Partisan
UK Release date
12/11/2021
US Release date
12/11/2021
  1. 9.0 |   musicOMH

    The dark, introspective nature of Idles’ latest release may well disappoint those who love the band for their rabble-rousing, tongue-in-cheek headbangers. But for those who’ve been waiting some time for the beloved Bristolians to take a left turn with their sound, Crawler is an absolute thrill
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  2. 8.8 |   Paste Magazine

    The Bristol band’s fourth record is magnetic storytelling tempered with newfound patience
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  3. 8.0 |   NME

    The Bristol band's fourth album is a course correction, one that dials down the aggression in favour of reflection
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  4. 8.0 |   Under The Radar

    The sound of a band intently looking forwards, even if that means revisiting their demons from the past
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  5. 8.0 |   Kerrang!

    This might be a more reflective, experimental IDLES, but they remain a band filled equally with anger, humour and vitriol. And, whichever direction they take, it still sounds fantastic
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  6. 8.0 |   Northern Transmissions

    Long may IDLES challenge their own sonic personality, along with social norms and the notion of what it is to be strong but also what it is to be vulnerable. All is love
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  7. 8.0 |   The Independent

    The band’s signature punk rock sound underpins the album, but it’s on the stylistically divergent tracks that Idles flex a new skill. Crawler is ambitious in its scope, and it almost always pays off
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  8. 8.0 |   Evening Standard

    There are occasional subtleties, as with the scratchy electronic layers on Progress, and something approaching conventional singing on the almost pretty The Beachland Ballroom. But the sound overall is pure battering ram, working to best effect on the racing rock and roller Crawl!
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  9. 8.0 |   All Music

    Whilst it doesn't always stick the landing, the new spaces it does explore are well worth the journey
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  10. 8.0 |   Clash

    IDLES' fourth record in just as many years is their most ambitious, most introspective, and most powerful to date
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  11. 8.0 |   The Line Of Best Fit

    Once again, the band finds healing and beauty in their own chaotic vortex, and once again they invite everyone listening to do the same, joining them on their most exploratory and cathartic ride yet
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  12. 8.0 |   DIY

    Things get truly exciting when IDLES combine the atmospheric with the experimental
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  13. 8.0 |   Gigwise

    A complex fourth album that could divide their fans
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  14. 7.2 |   Beats Per Minute

    All in all, Crawler is a return to form for IDLES, albeit with a handful of sub-par offerings
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  15. 7.2 |   Spectrum Culture

    Crawler opens up a realm of different artistic possibilities for a band that some had previously thought to be one-note
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  16. 7.0 |   Loud And Quiet

    If Crawler has a message, it’s that while it’s important to recognise the sins of the past, it does no good to dwell on them
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  17. 7.0 |   Pitchfork

    Exploring personal subject matter and wider musical terrain, the Bristol band’s fourth album plays like the dark origin story for how Idles became the preeminent life coaches of modern post-punk
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  18. 6.0 |   The Arts Desk

    Creates a sonic mood that seems to reflect a society in sinister freefall
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