Crawler
by Idles
  • Record Label: Partisan
  • Release Date: Nov 12, 2021
User Score
8.6

Universal acclaim- based on 38 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 37 out of 38
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 38
  3. Negative: 1 out of 38
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  1. SGCrazy
    Nov 12, 2021
    8
    They have gone out of the comfort zone and have not disappointed expectations
  2. pdesaab07
    Nov 16, 2021
    9
    I follow Idles since the beginning... for years I've said to my friends : one of the biggest Punk band, in history, in the making. They are the Sex Pistols but with a brain, meaning they're not about to destroy themselves just to look cool. I liked Ultra Mono, good 3rd album, but did not had the rawness of the first 2 albums... When a year later they release Crawler, I wondered if it wasI follow Idles since the beginning... for years I've said to my friends : one of the biggest Punk band, in history, in the making. They are the Sex Pistols but with a brain, meaning they're not about to destroy themselves just to look cool. I liked Ultra Mono, good 3rd album, but did not had the rawness of the first 2 albums... When a year later they release Crawler, I wondered if it was rushed and, therefor, a big mistake. I'm glad to be wrong. They have evolved in the best way possible. I wish one day to shake their hands and just tell them what authentic artists they are.… Expand
  3. minnicelli
    Nov 12, 2021
    10
    They only get better. Every sigle song is flawless. Can’t choose my favorite yet
  4. Ricko
    Nov 28, 2021
    8
    A required quick follow up to 2020's "Ultra Mono" which while a decent album, was ultimately a disappointing one relative to expectations of Idles. Rather than returning to the heights of their first 2 albums, "Crawler" builds on the direction taken with "Ultra Mono" and improves upon it. The band sound like they have actually gone into somewhat experimental waters instead of just addingA required quick follow up to 2020's "Ultra Mono" which while a decent album, was ultimately a disappointing one relative to expectations of Idles. Rather than returning to the heights of their first 2 albums, "Crawler" builds on the direction taken with "Ultra Mono" and improves upon it. The band sound like they have actually gone into somewhat experimental waters instead of just adding some beats to a forced version of their earlier sound. Talbot's vocals are what they are and are a lot of what Idles are about but "Crawler" definitely sees the rest of the band flex their creative muscles. It's far from perfect but it is a reassuring step from a really vital band that haven't been knocked off course by the Ultra Mono experience.… Expand
  5. manonwire40
    Nov 12, 2021
    9
    A personal, reflective album. There is an evolution of sound and attitude across the album. As 'in your face' as you'd expect but there are new layers in sound and production and the end result is consistently rewarding.
  6. spacerboi
    Nov 17, 2021
    8
    Not as good as Ultra Mono but I like this new direction a lot! A little more variety would be nice tho!
  7. NousGpdess
    Nov 20, 2021
    9
    Twisted, gloomy, dark, beautiful.
    It was February I was cold and I was high.
    Then The Wheel - love it.
    "Can I get a Hallelujah" - Yes you can Hallelujah well done.
  8. LilFeekyB
    Nov 27, 2021
    9
    Brutalism was my favourite album by them and I enjoyed the EPs a lot too. I really liked Joy too and was looking forward to the next release but was extremely let down by Ultra Mono with it being so one dimensional and the constant treading on old ground. After hearing this for the first time, I knew it'd become my favourite, and it has. The change in direction was 100% necessary and IBrutalism was my favourite album by them and I enjoyed the EPs a lot too. I really liked Joy too and was looking forward to the next release but was extremely let down by Ultra Mono with it being so one dimensional and the constant treading on old ground. After hearing this for the first time, I knew it'd become my favourite, and it has. The change in direction was 100% necessary and I think that they pulled it off very well. Kenny Beats' production brings a very different feeling to the songs, the progression of them is generally slower and more simmering than bursting with rage like the last few albums. Joe's lyrics are at their best here and they're painfully intimate at times. It's definitely not for everyone and it's their most divisive album yet but if you like it then you'll love it, Cannot recommend it enough. The only gripe I have is the outro tracks because they're too similar to previous albums, but they're still good.… Expand
  9. AShinyG1ratina
    Jun 21, 2022
    7
    This is exactly what I imagine British people would sound like, if they were real of course.
    Anyways, I'm heavily enjoying the more noise rock-oriented tracks on here, but I can definitely understand the appeal of several other types of tracks. My main problem with this album is that while it doesn't start off or end off badly, neither of these ends are memorable enough to make the album    This is exactly what I imagine British people would sound like, if they were real of course.
    Anyways, I'm heavily enjoying the more noise rock-oriented tracks on here, but I can definitely understand the appeal of several other types of tracks. My main problem with this album is that while it doesn't start off or end off badly, neither of these ends are memorable enough to make the album as a whole relistenable.    … Expand

Awards & Rankings

98
#98 Best Album of 2021
98
#98 Most Discussed Album of 2021

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
82

Universal acclaim - based on 18 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 18 out of 18
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 18
  3. Negative: 0 out of 18
  1. Classic Rock Magazine
    Dec 8, 2021
    80
    In its second half, Crawler takes brave experimental swerves. [Jan 2022, p.82]
  2. Beats Per Minute
    Nov 17, 2021
    72
    All in all, Crawler is a return to form for IDLES, albeit with a handful of sub-par offerings. There’s still more than enough here for them to be rabble-rousing festival headliners, but also some tracks that offer up new ideas that they could carry forward.
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  3. New Musical Express (NME)
    Nov 17, 2021
    80
    With ‘CRAWLER’ they take their own advice, adding a whole new dimension to an already beloved band. This appears a stepping stone in the band’s evolution, rather than the finishing line.
    Read full review
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