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Tangk
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| Tangk | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 16 February 2024 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 40:06 | |||
| Label | Partisan | |||
| Producer | ||||
| Idles chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Tangk | ||||
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Tangk is the fifth studio album by the British rock band Idles, released on 16 February 2024 through Partisan Records. It was produced by Nigel Godrich, Kenny Beats and the Idles member Mark Bowen.[1] It was promoted with the singles "Dancer", "Grace" and "Gift Horse". It received positive reviews and is nominated at the 67th Annual Grammy Awards for Best Rock Album.[2]
Background and recording
[edit]The vocalist, Joe Talbot, said that he "needed love" so he "made it. [He] gave love out to the world and it feels like magic. This is our album of gratitude and power. All love songs. All is love."[1] Talbot said that he wanted to "make people dance" and "feel the love that [he] need[s] in life", as well as wanting to make the music "infectious in a way that makes people feel, not think" and be "part of something electric again".[3]
Tangk was Idles' first work with a major producer, Nigel Godrich, who is known for his work with Radiohead. The band members saw Godrich as among "the upper echelon" and had assumed they would never be able to create something of his calibre. However, Bowen said: "What we learned is that it's not that difficult to attain if you put work into it. We learned that there are no geniuses."[4] Bowen said Godrich taught him how to use tape loops, distortion and delay in new ways to create textures.[4] James Murphy and Nancy Whang of LCD Soundsystem contributed additional vocals on "Dancer".[5]
Release
[edit]The album was announced following the band's surprise show at the Village Underground in London on 17 October 2023.[6] It was promoted with the singles "Dancer",[3] "Grace"[7] and "Gift Horse".[8] The Tangk world tour started on 29 February 2024 in Porto, and ended on 7 December 2024 at the O2 Apollo Manchester, England.[9]
Critical reception
[edit]| Aggregate scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AnyDecentMusic? | 7.6/10[10] |
| Metacritic | 78/100[11] |
| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic | |
| Classic Rock | |
| Kerrang! | 4/5[14] |
| The Line of Best Fit | 8/10[15] |
| Mojo | |
| Pitchfork | 6.7/10[17] |
| Record Collector | |
| The Skinny | |
| Slant Magazine | |
| Uncut | 8/10[21] |
Tangk has a score of 78 out of 100 on the review aggregator Metacritic, based on 25 critics' reviews, indicating "generally favorable" reception.[11] Uncut stated that "Tangk is more about diverse, swooning sonic details that support troubled singer Joe Talbot's redemption",[21] while Classic Rock felt that "despite its subject matter, the Bristol tykes are still sonically and vocally as visceral as ever".[13] Mojo's Andrew Perry concluded that the album is "still hardly for the faint-hearted pop-picker, but it categorically repositions its makers as contenders in the biggest arena, as tuneful, approachable geezers capable of love, and sharing it with the world".[16]
Jamie Wilde of The Skinny summarised the album as "a raucous expression of love" as well as "raw, vulnerable and inimitably Idles".[19] Record Collector's Elizabeth Aubrey wrote that Tangk "may bring us a more compassionate, empathetic version of the band who seem to be trying to find something that resembles peace after years of tumult" but that "they still haven't quite lost their punk spirit".[18]
Nick Seip of Slant Magazine stated that "those familiar with Idles's past work may be surprised to find much of their characteristic righteous anger missing here" and their "slower songs struggle to command such attention" but "on a technical level, Tangk underpins its more personal and emotional lyrics with rich, layered arrangements".[20] Pitchfork's Arielle Gordon wrote that "Idles seem poised to let down their ironclad armor and reveal a far more interesting and nuanced band, just as soon as Talbot is ready to relinquish his stubborn and self-defeating grasp".[17]
Year-end lists
[edit]| Publication/critic | Accolade | Rank | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| MOJO | 75 Best Albums of 2024 | 51 | [22] |
| Rough Trade UK | Albums of the Year 2024 | 6 | [23] |
| Uncut | 80 Best Albums of 2024 | 61 | [24] |
Track listing
[edit]All lyrics are written by Joseph Talbot; all music is composed by Jonathan Beavis, Mark Bowen, Adam Devonshire, Lee Kiernan, and Joseph Talbot.
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Idea 01" | 3:38 |
| 2. | "Gift Horse" | 4:09 |
| 3. | "Pop Pop Pop" | 4:16 |
| 4. | "Roy" | 4:09 |
| 5. | "A Gospel" | 3:45 |
| 6. | "Dancer" (featuring LCD Soundsystem) | 3:09 |
| 7. | "Grace" | 3:53 |
| 8. | "Hall & Oates" | 2:23 |
| 9. | "Jungle" | 4:11 |
| 10. | "Gratitude" | 3:41 |
| 11. | "Monolith" | 2:52 |
| Total length: | 40:06 | |
Personnel
[edit]Idles
- Jon Beavis – drums, backing vocals
- Mark Bowen – lead guitar, electronics, keyboards, programming, design, backing vocals, production
- Adam Devonshire – bass guitar, backing vocals
- Lee Kiernan – rhythm guitar, backing vocals
- Joe Talbot – lead vocals, artwork, design
Additional musicians
- Colin Webster – saxophone
- Aaron Paris – strings, string arrangement
- James Murphy – additional vocals ("Dancer")
- Nancy Whang – additional vocals ("Dancer")
Technical
- Kenny Beats – production
- Nigel Godrich – production, mixing
- Mikko Gordon – engineering (all tracks), additional production ("Monolith")
- Robert C. Ludwig – mastering
- Korey Richey – engineering for LCD Soundsystem ("Dancer")
- Maurice Talbot – engineering assistance
- Daniel Cayotta – engineering assistance
Visuals
- Joshua Hughes-Games – artwork, design
- Aris Chatman – centerfold photography
- Tom Ham – lyric + photo book, 'Dancer' and 'Hall & Oates' Photography
- Cassidy Rose Hill – costume design
Charts
[edit]| Chart (2024) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australian Albums (ARIA)[25] | 18 |
| Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)[26] | 2 |
| Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia)[27] | 11 |
| Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)[28] | 13 |
| German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)[29] | 2 |
| Hungarian Physical Albums (MAHASZ)[30] | 36 |
| Irish Albums (OCC)[31] | 7 |
| Italian Albums (FIMI)[32] | 20 |
| New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)[33] | 10 |
| Polish Albums (ZPAV)[34] | 57 |
| Portuguese Albums (AFP)[35] | 20 |
| Scottish Albums (OCC)[36] | 1 |
| Spanish Albums (PROMUSICAE)[37] | 23 |
| Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)[38] | 8 |
| UK Albums (OCC)[39] | 1 |
| UK Independent Albums (OCC)[40] | 1 |
| US Billboard 200[41] | 132 |
References
[edit]- ^ a b Minsker, Evan (18 October 2023). "Idles Announce New Album Tangk, Enlist LCD Soundsystem for New Song: Listen". Pitchfork. Retrieved 19 October 2023.
- ^ https://www.billboard.com/music/awards/grammy-nominations-2025-full-list-1235823165/
- ^ a b Trendell, Andrew (16 October 2023). "Idles share 'Dancer' and tell us about "transgressive" new album Tangk". NME. Retrieved 19 October 2023.
- ^ a b Farber, Jim (13 February 2024). "The return of Idles: 'I don't have to hide behind violence any more'". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 13 February 2024.
- ^ "IDLES announce new album, share LCD Soundsystem collaboration "Dancer"". The FADER. Retrieved 21 February 2024.
- ^ Carter, Emily (18 October 2023). "Idles announce fifth album Tangk, release new single featuring LCD Soundsystem". Kerrang!. Retrieved 19 October 2023.
- ^ DeVille, Chris (6 December 2023). "Idles – "Grace"". Stereogum. Retrieved 8 December 2023.
- ^ Pilley, Max (15 January 2024). "Idles share raucous new single 'Gift Horse'". NME. Retrieved 15 January 2024.
- ^ Strauss, Matthew (29 November 2023). "Idles Add 2024 Tour Dates". Pitchfork. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
- ^ "Tangk by Idles reviews". AnyDecentMusic?. Retrieved 16 June 2025.
- ^ a b "Tangk by Idles Reviews and Tracks". Metacritic. Retrieved 27 February 2024.
- ^ Martin, Liam (16 February 2024). "Idles – Tangk Album Reviews, Songs & More". AllMusic. Retrieved 22 February 2024.
- ^ a b "Idles – Tangk". Classic Rock. March 2024. p. 81.
- ^ Thomas, Olly (14 February 2024). "Album review: IDLES – Tangk". Kerrang!. Retrieved 16 June 2025.
- ^ Milross, Hayley (15 February 2024). "All is love on IDLES' TANGK, an album drenched in fragility". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved 16 June 2025.
- ^ a b Perry, Andrew (13 February 2024). "Idles Tangk Review: Bristol post punks wage heavy peace on fifth album". Mojo. Retrieved 14 February 2024.
- ^ a b Gordon, Arielle (16 February 2024). "Idles: Tangk Album Review". Pitchfork. Retrieved 16 February 2024.
- ^ a b Aubrey, Elizabeth (29 January 2024). "Tangk | Idles". Record Collector. Retrieved 14 February 2024.
- ^ a b Wilde, Jamie (12 February 2024). "Idles – Tangk album review". The Skinny. Retrieved 14 February 2024.
- ^ a b Seip, Nick (11 February 2024). "Idles Tangk Review: A Delicate Balance of Sound and Sentiment". Slant Magazine. Retrieved 14 February 2024.
- ^ a b "Idles – Tangk". Uncut. February 2024. p. 28.
- ^ "MOJO's 75 Best Albums of 2024". albumoftheyear.org. 11 November 2024. Retrieved 13 November 2024.
- ^ "Albums of the Year 2024". roughtrade.com. 19 November 2024. Retrieved 20 November 2024.
- ^ Pearis, Bill (8 November 2024). "List Season comes early with Uncut's Top 80 Albums of 2024". brooklynvegan.com. Retrieved 12 November 2024.
- ^ "ARIA Top 50 Albums Chart". Australian Recording Industry Association. 26 February 2024. Retrieved 23 February 2024.
- ^ "Ultratop.be – Idles – Tangk" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 25 February 2024.
- ^ "Ultratop.be – Idles – Tangk" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved 25 February 2024.
- ^ "Dutchcharts.nl – Idles – Tangk" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 24 February 2024.
- ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – Idles – Tangk" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved 23 February 2024.
- ^ "Album Top 40 slágerlista (fizikai hanghordozók) – 2024. 8. hét". MAHASZ. Retrieved 29 February 2024.
- ^ "Official Irish Albums Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 23 February 2024.
- ^ "Album – Classifica settimanale WK 8 (dal 16.02.2024 al 22.02.2024)" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved 24 February 2024.
- ^ "NZ Top 40 Albums Chart". Recorded Music NZ. 26 February 2024. Retrieved 23 February 2024.
- ^ "OLiS - oficjalna lista sprzedaży - albumy" (in Polish). OLiS. Polish Society of the Phonographic Industry. Note: Change the date to 16.02.2024–22.02.2024 under "zmień zakres od–do:". Retrieved 29 February 2024.
- ^ "Portuguesecharts.com – Idles – Tangk". Hung Medien. Retrieved 6 March 2024.
- ^ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 24 February 2024.
- ^ "Top 100 Albums Weekly". El portal de Música. Productores de Música de España. Retrieved 3 March 2024.
- ^ "Swisscharts.com – Idles – Tangk". Hung Medien. Retrieved 25 February 2024.
- ^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 23 February 2024.
- ^ "Official Independent Albums Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 24 February 2024.
- ^ "Idles Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved 27 February 2024.
Tangk
View on GrokipediaBackground and recording
Conception
Following the introspective and experimental turn of their 2021 album Crawler, IDLES conceived Tangk as a deliberate pivot toward an album centered on love, positivity, and vulnerability, aiming to counterbalance the raw aggression and societal critique that defined earlier works like 2020's Ultra Mono. Frontman Joe Talbot described the project as a "declaration of love," emerging from a period of personal self-exploration and gratitude that sought to move beyond the band's previous reliance on confrontational energy. This shift reflected the group's broader discography evolution from punk-rooted fury to more nuanced emotional expression.[7][8][9] Talbot's personal life profoundly shaped the album's emotional core, with themes drawn from his experiences as a father, partner, and individual navigating recovery and relationships, infusing the songs with a sense of tenderness and empowerment. Fatherhood, in particular, influenced Talbot's emphasis on love as a transformative force, allowing him to explore vulnerability without the armor of anger that characterized prior releases. These inspirations were cultivated during a transitional phase for the band, fostering a creative environment focused on healing and connection rather than provocation.[10][11][12] To realize this sonic evolution, IDLES decided to collaborate with producers Nigel Godrich and Kenny Beats— the latter having worked on Crawler—alongside guitarist Mark Bowen, aiming for a smoother, more melodic production style that highlighted the album's themes of joy and intimacy. This partnership was envisioned to refine the band's sound, blending electronic and rock elements for a less abrasive texture while preserving their energetic foundation. Initial ideas for Tangk began forming in late 2022, with the first recording session captured in October of that year, building momentum through 2023 as the group refined their vision before the album's announcement.[13][14][15] The album's title, Tangk (pronounced like "tank" with a hint of the "g"), originated as an onomatopoeic term coined in the studio to evoke the raw, lashing impact of the guitars, symbolizing the unfiltered energy and immediacy at the heart of the project. This choice encapsulated the band's intent to channel visceral power into expressions of love and presence, evolving from a simple sound descriptor into a broader emblem for living in the moment.[16][17][18]Production process
The recording sessions for IDLES' album Tangk took place primarily across multiple studios in 2023, including La Fabrique Studios in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, France, Nigel Godrich's studio in Brixton, London, Mikko Gordon's studio in Hackney, London, and Kenny Beats' Wack Formula studio in Los Angeles.[19][20] These locations facilitated a collaborative process that spanned continents, allowing the band to capture initial demos and refine tracks in varied acoustic environments. The sessions began with pre-production writing involving Godrich and Gordon, with Beats joining for intensive periods, and much of the core recording wrapped by late 2023 ahead of the album's February 2024 release.[20][21] Co-production was handled by Nigel Godrich—renowned for his work with Radiohead—Kenny Beats, whose hip-hop production background brought rhythmic experimentation, and IDLES guitarist Mark Bowen, who contributed to guitar arrangements and overall sonic direction.[21][20] Godrich emphasized analog techniques like tape loops for drums on tracks such as "POP POP POP," while Beats focused on vocal processing and electronic enhancements, including MIDI manipulations and Prophet synth integrations to layer feedback and synthetic textures.[20] Bowen's involvement ensured the retention of the band's raw, live performance ethos, with sessions prioritizing spontaneous takes to preserve demo energy, such as Joe Talbot's unpolished vocal deliveries that mirrored stage intensity.[20] The production incorporated guest features to expand the soundscape, notably LCD Soundsystem's James Murphy and Nancy Whang on "Dancer," recorded at DFA Studios in New York, adding pulsating electronic grooves that complemented the band's rock foundation.[22] Additional elements like Aaron Paris's strings on "A Gospel" were tracked remotely and integrated during mixing.[20] To achieve a cohesive "softer rock" vibe—balancing punk aggression with vulnerability—the team navigated challenges like stylistic clashes, such as differing visions between Talbot and Bowen on "Roy," by simplifying overcomplicated demos and reverting to raw stems for authenticity.[20] This integration of live band dynamics with electronic flourishes resulted in a unified album that emphasized emotional tenderness without losing urgency.[20] Post-production involved detailed mixing at Godrich's Brixton setup, where he manually automated effects like tremolo on guitars and refined vocal compressions using vintage gear such as Neumann 47 microphones and 1176 compressors.[20] Mastering was handled at Gateway Mastering Studios in Portland, Maine, finalizing the record by late 2023 to polish the dynamic range and ensure the blend of organic and synthetic elements translated across formats.[23]Music and lyrics
Musical style
Tangk represents a genre fusion of post-punk, art rock, and alternative rock, incorporating softer, more melodic elements that mark a departure from IDLES' earlier raw punk aggression.[13] The album spans 40:11 across 11 tracks, emphasizing mid-tempo grooves and layered instrumentation to create a "vibrant and righteous" sound.[24][25] This evolution draws from indie influences, allowing the band to explore broader sonic palettes while retaining their post-punk core.[26] The incorporation of electronic beats, synthesizers, and groovy rhythms is prominently shaped by producers Kenny Beats and Nigel Godrich, whose contributions introduce taut programmed drums and an emphasis on melody through analog tape loops.[13] These elements blend seamlessly with the band's rock foundation, fostering a shift toward more accessible, dance-oriented pulses without abandoning their energetic edge. Production techniques, such as subtle layering of synths and percussion, enable this refined yet dynamic style.[27] Track-specific highlights underscore the album's varied structures, from anthemic choruses to experimental intros. "Dancer" embodies dance-punk vibes through its collaboration with LCD Soundsystem's James Murphy and Nancy Whang, featuring propulsive rhythms and electronic flourishes.[28] "Gift Horse" stands out with its groovy basslines that drive a muscular, mid-tempo pace, evolving into soaring choruses.[13] The opener "IDEA 01" serves as an experimental intro, built around repeating kick drums, scattering piano notes, and subtle synthesizers for an unconventionally structured ambient build.[29] Overall, these compositions highlight IDLES' progression to a more layered, groove-centric approach.[30]Themes and songwriting
The album Tangk centers on love as its unifying theme, explored through romantic, personal, and self-reflective lenses to serve as anthems countering despair and fostering communal resilience. In tracks like "Grace," Joe Talbot articulates romantic love through simple, euphoric declarations that emphasize uncomplicated affection and joy, while "A Gospel" explores personal relationships, such as with an ex-partner, drawing from experiences of connection and reflection amid hardship. Similarly, "Gratitude" embodies self-love, confronting self-pity with affirmations of appreciation and emotional recovery, all presented as defiant calls to embrace positivity over cynicism.[9][8][31] Talbot led the songwriting process, often composing lyrics spontaneously at the microphone in collaboration with bandmates like Mark Bowen, who contributed structural elements and thematic depth, prioritizing vulnerability and anti-cynicism as antidotes to emotional isolation. This approach reflects a broader narrative of personal growth following the pandemic, where Talbot channels experiences of fatherhood, new relationships, and healing into lyrics that promote joy and empowerment through shouting against existential "voids," marking a deliberate shift from the raw anger of prior albums like Ultra Mono. Key songs illustrate this evolution: "Roy" pays tribute to relational resilience with patient, giddy expressions of devotion; "Jungle" employs vivid storytelling of personal turmoil, such as experiences of arrest and addiction; and "Hall & Oates" injects humor by nodding to pop influences, celebrating the euphoria of new romantic love through a personal joke.[31][9][8] Poetic devices such as repetition and direct address enhance the lyrics' emotional impact, creating a sense of communal catharsis by inviting listeners into shared vulnerability and triumph. For instance, repetitive choruses in tracks like "Roy" and "Gratitude" build anthemic urgency, while Talbot's second-person appeals foster intimacy and collective empowerment, underscoring the album's rejection of despair in favor of joyful defiance.[8][31][9]Release and promotion
Singles
The lead single from Tangk, "Dancer", was released on October 19, 2023, featuring contributions from LCD Soundsystem members James Murphy and Nancy Whang on vocals and keyboards, respectively.[32] The track's upbeat, dance-punk energy was accompanied by an official music video directed by Jocelyn Anquetil, which features diverse groups of people dancing together in a warehouse setting to symbolize unity and communal joy.[33] "Dancer" helped generate early buzz for Tangk by previewing the album's emphasis on love as a connective force.[34] On December 7, 2023, IDLES followed with the second single "Grace", a soulful, mid-tempo track produced by Nigel Godrich that explores emotional vulnerability.[35] Initially released with an audio premiere, it later received a music video on February 14, 2024, reimagining Coldplay's "Yellow" using AI deepfake technology to overlay IDLES' performance on the original footage, with Chris Martin's involvement.[36][37] The single further built anticipation through its introspective tone aligning with the album's themes of intimacy and affection.[34] The third and final pre-album single, "Gift Horse", arrived on January 15, 2024, delivering a raucous, guitar-driven anthem with abstract lyrics on acceptance.[38] Its music video, directed by David M. Helman, captures the band performing energetically amid surreal, colorful visuals that evoke motion and release.[39] "Gift Horse" amplified hype by showcasing IDLES' evolving sound while tying into Tangk's overarching narrative of love as transformative.[34] These singles were promoted through live debuts during IDLES' late 2023 shows, where "Dancer" and "Grace" were performed to enthusiastic crowds, and social media teasers that highlighted snippets emphasizing the album's love-centric motifs to engage fans ahead of the February 16, 2024, release.[28]Marketing and tour
The rollout for IDLES' fifth studio album Tangk began with its announcement on October 18, 2023, shared via the band's social media channels alongside a teaser video for the lead single "Dancer" and the complete tracklist.[2] This initial reveal built anticipation by highlighting the album's production credits and thematic focus on empowerment and catharsis.[22] TANGK was made available in diverse formats to cater to collectors and casual listeners, including a standard CD in a four-panel wallet, multiple limited-edition vinyl variants such as translucent pink, smoke, and deluxe yellow pressings, a grey cassette exclusive to Spotify's Fans First program limited to 500 copies, and digital download options.[25][40][41] The physical editions emphasized high-quality packaging, with vinyl housed in single-sleeve jackets and some initial copies bundled with signed prints.[42] In partnership with their label Partisan Records, the marketing strategy centered on deepening engagement with core fans while expanding reach through targeted campaigns, including out-of-home advertising like billboards and London Underground posters.[43][44] Merchandise tie-ins played a prominent role, with "Tangk"-branded items such as tops, posters, and accessories sold via the official store to reinforce the album's vibrant, defiant aesthetic. Promotional messaging framed Tangk as a "love album" offering listeners "something to shout out loud in order to fend off any encroaching sense of the void," aligning with the band's ethos of radical empowerment.[45] Singles like "Dancer" and "Grace" functioned as pivotal promotional tools, each accompanied by videos that previewed the album's energetic sound. Pre-release buzz was amplified through intimate events, including a secret show at London's Village Underground in October 2023 and widespread in-store listening parties at independent record shops in the UK and US, where fans experienced the full album days before its February 16, 2024, street date.[46][47][48] The album's supporting tour launched as a 2024 world outing, commencing in Europe on February 29 at Porto's Super Bock Arena and featuring early highlights like the release-day performance at Electric Brixton in London. The itinerary expanded to North America starting May 3 in Vancouver, encompassing dozens of dates across arenas and theaters with setlists blending Tangk tracks like "Gift Horse" and "A Gospel" alongside fan favorites.[49][50] Numerous shows, including key European and UK stops, sold out rapidly, heightening the tour's momentum and underscoring the album's live appeal.[51]Reception
Critical reviews
Upon its release on February 16, 2024, Tangk garnered generally favorable reviews from music critics, who highlighted its shift toward themes of love and vulnerability while integrating the preceding singles seamlessly into a cohesive whole.[52] The album earned a Metacritic score of 78 out of 100, based on 26 reviews, with 23 positive and 3 mixed ratings indicating broad acclaim for its evolution.[53] Critics frequently praised the album's emotional depth and polished production, crediting collaborations with producers Nigel Godrich and Kenny Beats for a smoother, more melodic sound that refined the band's post-punk roots. Pitchfork described it as IDLES' "warmest and most melodic record to date," noting how tracks like "A Gospel" employ featherlight piano and strings to underscore Talbot's softer vocals exploring love's facets.[13] NME lauded the "ambitious and mature" effort as the band's most open-hearted, emphasizing a positivity shift with lines like "Anger is an energy, but love is the answer," and highlighting Talbot's vulnerability in songs such as "Roy" where he admits, "I’m a smart man, but I’m dumb for you."[3] This contrast to IDLES' aggressive past was celebrated as a bold evolution, with The Guardian observing less seething rage and more singing, evolving musically and emotionally through adventurous elements like drones and synths.[30] Some reviewers pointed to occasional repetitiveness and a perceived dilution of the band's punk edge as minor drawbacks. Beats Per Minute critiqued the album for coming on "a little too strong too often," suggesting the bold experimentation sometimes overwhelmed the material's subtlety.[54] Similarly, Spectrum Culture argued that while Tangk breaks new ground for IDLES, it "doesn't break much actual new ground," resulting in a sound that feels like a partial sellout to broader accessibility.[55] Despite these notes, the consensus viewed Talbot's vulnerability as a core strength, transforming the band's prior intensity into a more empathetic and danceable expression.Accolades and commercial performance
Tangk earned three nominations at the 67th Annual Grammy Awards in 2025: Best Rock Album for the album itself, as well as Best Rock Performance and Best Rock Song for "Gift Horse"; the band did not win any awards.[56] The album debuted at number one on the UK Albums Chart, securing IDLES' second consecutive chart-topping release after Ultra Mono in 2020.[57] It also reached number one on the Scottish Albums Chart and Irish Albums Chart.[57] Internationally, Tangk peaked at number three on the ARIA Albums Chart in Australia, number two on the German Albums Chart, and number six on the US Billboard Alternative Albums chart, charting in a total of 18 regions.[58][59] In the UK, it achieved first-week sales of over 20,000 units, with 85% from physical formats fueled by strong vinyl demand that propelled it to number one on the Official Vinyl Albums Chart.[60] Streaming contributed to its success, exemplified by the single "Dancer" surpassing 27 million plays on Spotify.[61] The album appeared on prominent year-end lists, ranking number 22 on NME's Top 50 Albums of 2024, number 15 on Rough Trade's Top 100 Albums of 2024, and number 28 on Mojo's Best Albums of 2024.[62][63][64]Credits
Track listing
All tracks are written by Joe Talbot, Adam Devonshire, Lee Kiernan, Jon Beavis, and Mark Bowen, and published by Partisan Records.[65][40] The album opens with the instrumental track "IDEA 01" to establish an atmospheric mood, progressing through energetic rock numbers to anthemic closers in "Gratitude" and "Monolith."[45][27]| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "IDEA 01" | 3:38 |
| 2. | "Gift Horse" | 4:09 |
| 3. | "POP POP POP" | 4:16 |
| 4. | "Roy" | 4:09 |
| 5. | "A Gospel" | 3:45 |
| 6. | "Dancer" (featuring LCD Soundsystem) | 3:09 |
| 7. | "Grace" | 3:53 |
| 8. | "Hall & Oates" | 2:23 |
| 9. | "Jungle" | 4:11 |
| 10. | "Gratitude" | 3:41 |
| 11. | "Monolith" | 2:52 |
