Sleaford Mods fires heavy shots of social criticism | Music review

Jack Stemer

In the Netherlands there is Hang Youth which conveys social criticism with ultra-short rock-hard punk songs. Sleaford Mods was founded for this in the UK. The duo, consisting of ‘singer’ Jason Williamson and musician Andrew Fearn, are bringing a new chapter in swearing to modern times and motherland with ‘UK Grim’.

Instantly, the jovial duo have become major festival darlings. Williamson with his crazy dancing and absurd singing, which is neither a song nor a rap. Behind him Fearn, who opens his laptop, pops mostly rhythmic music from it and meanwhile opens one pint after another.

The title of the new album says it all: the bleak British Empire. Staccato, Williamson’s lyrical volley flies around your ears. We are being confounded by the aristocracy and right-wing politics, was the message. And you there, with your crazy sunglasses and underdeveloped hair, you’re the idiot lurking behind everything, with no vision of your own.

Especially criticism from the last category sometimes sounds a bit childish coming out of a grown man’s mouth. But the real message is getting across: in isolated Britain, no one hears you scream when you’re in trouble.

And that’s why Sleaford Mods screamed as loud as they could. ‘You all got robbed by the right wing beasts, huh!’

Listen to Sleaford Mods yourself in our playlist

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