The Nottingham duo known as the Sleaford Mods are back with a self-titled, five track EP. The release is in the same vein as their previous offerings; Blue collar, kitchen sink, post-punk rants, over rudimentary drum machine loops. All with a repeating bass line and the occasional drunken whirl on the keyboard like somebody’s fingers have slipped.
Jason Williamson is rough as always, managing to talk-sing in his guttural Nottingham accent and still be poetic. He’s a master of the banalities of everyday life, pointing out things so ordinary they make you sick.
In lead single ‘Stick In A Five And Go’, Williamson hunts down someone from social media who “told me I was gonna get smacked”, eventually trying to lure him from his home while posing as a postman. ‘Jokeshop’ is another memorable track – we hear about a purposeless life, time being wasted and buying “itching powder” from a party shop.
The EP is cynical, but not as hostile as previous releases. Fans craving the minimal Sleaford Mods sound will be pleased, though a changeup would have been refreshing. Williamson’s words and delivery are clever as always, but there’s room for expansion.
6.5
