Idles Release Samaritans

27 July, 2018
Written by Marky Edison

Idles have shared new material in a searing takedown of toxic masculinity entitled ‘Samaritans’. A live favourite for sometime, the Theo Watkins-directed music video compiles archival clips displaying traditional masculine imagery. Speaking of the song’s message, front man Joe Talbot says: "There's been a long line of bullshit that has pushed men into a corner, where simple masking becomes a trope of masculinity and a catalyst for insanity. What we wear, what we eat, what razor we use, high performance chewing gum, go faster shampoo, how we treat women, how we treat ourselves, how we die. I truly believe that masculinity has gone from an evolution of cultural praxis to a disease. I wanted to encourage a conversation about gender roles by writing this song."

‘Samaritans’ is the third song to be released from Idles 's much-anticipated upcoming album, Joy As An Act Of Resistance. Produced by Space and mixed by Adam Greenspan & Nick Launay (Arcade Fire, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Kate Bush), The album takes aim at everything from nationalism and immigration to class inequality - all while maintaining a visceral, infectious positivity. Talbot summarises: “This album is an attempt to be vulnerable to our audience and to encourage vulnerability; a brave naked smile in this shitty new world. We have stripped back the songs and lyrics to our bare flesh to allow each other to breathe, to celebrate our differences, and act as an ode to communities and the individuals that forge them. Because without our community, we’d be nothing.”

This autumn, Idles will embark on their first ever global tour, including their biggest London headliner yet at O2 Forum Kentish Town on October 18. Their last London headliner, at Heaven, sold out nearly six months in advance.