Joy As an Act of Resistance
by Idles
  • Record Label: Partisan
  • Release Date: Aug 31, 2018
User Score
8.3

Universal acclaim- based on 134 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 116 out of 134
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 134
  3. Negative: 13 out of 134
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  1. CadWizard
    Aug 31, 2018
    10
    This album will make you laugh, will make you cry and everything in between, its simply stunning. To create an album like this off the back off the debut "Brutalism" is simply amazing and just goes to show why they have been dubbed not just "Britain's" most important band but the "Worlds" most important. Do yourself a favour listen to it from start to finish and then do it again!
  2. Marcbackman
    Sep 1, 2018
    10
    The world is messed up. Rather than drown in this pessimism, IDLES have created an album that claps along with the absurdity of modern life. I feel like this album—along with SHAME's 'Songs of Praise—has set the benchmark in 2018 for a new era of intelligent punk-influenced guitar rock with a political and social conscience.
  3. CiphirSol
    Sep 10, 2018
    10
    "You're not a man you're a gland..." - Is an excerpt from this one that had me laughing and marked the point where I realized how good this project really was. Dealing in absolutes as I usually do, this one's a 10. Thanks.
  4. nikoziko
    Sep 6, 2018
    10
    Such good performances and production one of the best records of the **** year babyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy
  5. Ricko
    Jul 12, 2019
    9
    The formula from "Brutality" is still there. The retro, raw punk. The towering drums and bass, the at times cutting, at times bludgeoning guitars. And then there are Joe Talbot's vocals, pleading for the soul of humanity with every ounce of his being. "Joy as an Act of Resistance" ups the stakes in terms of tunes. It's still IDLES but now you have an album of anthems. Starting with theThe formula from "Brutality" is still there. The retro, raw punk. The towering drums and bass, the at times cutting, at times bludgeoning guitars. And then there are Joe Talbot's vocals, pleading for the soul of humanity with every ounce of his being. "Joy as an Act of Resistance" ups the stakes in terms of tunes. It's still IDLES but now you have an album of anthems. Starting with the suitably named "Colossus", the albums catches fires immediately. "Never Fight a Man With a Perm", "I'm Scum" and "Danny Nedelko" follow immediately, all blistering, all great and all coming in well under the 4 minute mark. The sobering "June" rightly sits at the heart of the album giving even great effect when its immediately followed by the bands standout track "Samaritans". If "Brutality" didn't take your fancy then you are unlikely to like this or ever like this band. That would be a shame as they are great. Having seen them live also gives this album a completely extra dimension.… Expand
  6. DefinitelyMayb
    Nov 15, 2018
    9
    Personally my favorite album this year. So much energy and raw punk but scattered with clever melody hooks throughout the album. The lead singer has such a Johnny Rotten feel that it makes me like punk again. As historically the punk movement has been largely against the establishment and its rallying cry for individualism, its massively refreshing that the album takes almost a 180 degreePersonally my favorite album this year. So much energy and raw punk but scattered with clever melody hooks throughout the album. The lead singer has such a Johnny Rotten feel that it makes me like punk again. As historically the punk movement has been largely against the establishment and its rallying cry for individualism, its massively refreshing that the album takes almost a 180 degree and explores the absurdity of today's polarized politics whilst making it incredibly funny (ie in Blighty wants his country back... As he cries at the price of a bacon bap Islam didn't eat your hamster). You could almost call this anti-punk but its most aesthetically punk.

    Colossus, Danny Nedelko, Gram Rock and GREAT are the highlights of the album. Lots of tight drum work, a catchy jumpy baseline and infused with pop sensibility. Only criticism would be the second half of the album not as impactful as the first. Neverthelss a masterpiece here.    … Expand
  7. SergioAllIndie
    Sep 17, 2018
    9
    A powerful, head-smashing, fearless, empathy-driven and empathy-aiming record. So actual, so necessary.
  8. inoffensive
    Dec 12, 2019
    9
    Full of bangers. Almost every songs makes you want to aggressively hug someone

Awards & Rankings

10
#10 Best Album of 2018
79
#79 Most Shared Album of 2018

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
88

Universal acclaim - based on 25 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 24 out of 25
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 25
  3. Negative: 0 out of 25
  1. No Ripcord
    Oct 3, 2018
    80
    As it is, Joy As An Act Of Resistance is shot through with stand-out moments, a great offering that you suspect will well and truly bring the house down when the band hits the road.
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  2. Kerrang!
    Sep 10, 2018
    80
    This album announces IDLES as one of the most exhilarating and necessary punk bands of right now. [8 Sep 2018, p.53]
  3. AllMusic
    Sep 7, 2018
    90
    Overall, Joy as an Act of Resistance manages to plumb new depths for Idles -- that they've achieved another record in such a short space of time is admirable, let alone one that shines head and shoulders over the majority of their peers -- and it certainly upholds their status as one of the U.K.'s most exciting new acts.
    Read full review
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