Idles Unleash Single 'Mercedes Marxist’

Bristol’s most beloved posi-punk crew Idles have dropped a toe-tapping standalone single titled ‘Mercedes Marxist’. The tune is built on a mechanical rhythm guitar and drum line, serving as a hypnotic bed for vocalist Joe Talbot’s singalong lamentations. The track is drawn from the sessions of 2018’s glowingly-received and thoroughly crucial offering Joy As An Act Of Resistance with the band mentioning that ‘Mercedes Marxist’ was “was the last splurge from Brutalism so we omitted it”, which makes a lot of sense as it bears the melodic, almost-anthemic qualities of their sophomore offering and the more pessimistic, self-deprecating lyrical tendencies of their debut. One can’t help but wonder if releasing a song with a title referencing Karl Marx may well be a sly dig at Sleaford Mods frontman Jason Williamson, who famously accused the band of “appropriating a working class voice”. Wrap your ears around 'Mercedes Marxist' below...

'Mercedes Marxist' is being released on 7" via Partisan Records on Friday 2nd August and includes a B-side featuring another previously unheard track 'I Dream Guillotine'.