Sleaford Mods: The Demise Of Planet X

England's post-punk duo Sleaford Mods, who we interviewed for Ep. 82 of the Tape Op Podcast, are perhaps the most punk band I have heard in years. Frontman Jason Williamson's lyrics and delivery are a brutally honest assessment of the state of the world; profanity laced, and presented dry as a bone and in your face. The band's producer, Andrew Fearn, creates unique worlds for Williamson's raw lyrics and storytelling, utilizing fuzzy bass lines, stark beats, and samples from a variety of genres. Often, the juxtaposition of the blunt force vocal delivery, and the sometimes groovy or soulful mood of the track, make the message more accessible. However, Fearn's restraint from doing too much always leaves the lyrical content and themes at the forefront sans unnecessary distraction.

Their new release, The Demise Of Planet X, expands the duo's sonic palettes and production and has several collaborations including Gwendoline Christie and BIG SPECIAL on the "The Good Life", as well as appearances from Aldous Harding and Life Without Buildings' Sue Tompkins. The track, "Bad Santa," has a beautiful, almost Massive Attack-esque musical bed for Jason Williamson's rough edge delivery, and "No Touch," which features Tompkins, is a light, soulful track with dark lyrics digging deep into loneliness and isolation.

For me, The Demise Of Planet X is the most accessible of Sleaford Mods releases to date. It showcases Andrew Fearn's musical and production growth, and focuses on Williamson's lyrical indictment of a world upside down, honest self-analysis, and naked vulnerability.