Sleaford Mods: The Demise of Planet Sleaford Amendments

HeyOver the course of twelve albums, Jason Williamson (lyrics) and Andrew Fearn (music) have gone from DIY to the top five by offering dark and entertainingly absurd commentary on financial collapse, austerity, Brexit and the rise of the far right. On their thirteenth album, Williamson once again convinces in the role of the dirty-mouthed spectator, baffled and angry at what’s going on around him, whether the empty life of the digital age (“Weights and masturbation / Hard bodies and phone lights / That’s all we got”), the United States of America (“Maga’s off her chest”) or simple everyday irritations: “Lazy dog ​​walkers on short walks, mate, masturbating!”

However, developments here should gently broaden its appeal. Williamson offers a welcome new vulnerability in the horrific case of Jenna Wass, which concerns a childhood accident. Meanwhile, Verne has been subtly developing his production, venturing beyond electro-punk to employ classical strings on Double Diamond and a wide range of collaborators. The combination of Williamson’s song, Game of Thrones actor Gwendoline Christie’s angry rapping, and Big Special’s David Bowie-ish vocals on The Good Life makes it one of the catchiest things they’ve done.

And in the album’s unexpectedly charming highlight, “No Touch” and Williamson and former singer Sue Tompkins sound like a couple comically bickering while teasing the human behind Williamson’s angry facade. “You’re not miserable, you’re nice,” she told him and he protested – unconvincingly – “I’m not.”