A new album from the Scottish band Idlewild is always a reason to celebrate, as their post-2013 phase features some remarkable, mature, and bright elements of confident indie rock.
Yet, even by their own high standards, this latest record has a unique quality. With 10 tracks, every moment is utilized, showcasing a band focused on immediacy and clarity without losing any of their inherent lyrical depth.
Produced by Rod Jones, this self-titled album was crafted throughout 2024 at Post Electric Studios in Edinburgh and the Isle of Iona Library in the Hebrides, and it might be their best work in over ten years.
Now available, ‘Idlewild’ is simply a fantastic experience – charged with the energy of their live performances, the band is at ease with their legacy while continuing to search for new ideas.
As frontman Roddy Woomble succinctly puts it, they aimed for “big ideas, deep uncertainties, memorable tunes.”
While writing for Clash, Roddy Woomble provides a track-by-track analysis of the album, along with behind-the-scenes snapshots taken by the band.
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1 – Stay Out Of Place
‘…the world as we know it is mostly undefined…’
In a band setting, it’s not merely one voice, but rather five voices working together over time, which is quite intriguing for any art project. "Stay out of place" can be seen as a kind of mantra for the artistic life. Songs can convey what they’ve absorbed with a unique intensity, enabling communication to reach deeply into the listener's consciousness. When people ask me which of our albums is my favorite, I usually respond with this one.
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2 – Like I Had Before
‘…Lost like you’ll never be found again, so make your escape to the made-up end…’
For the album cover, I brought my camera to the same locations in Scotland that have previously featured on Idlewild covers and took new photographs. The cover image was taken from the exact spot as the cover for ‘Hope Is Important,’ but facing a different direction, 28 years later. The original cover depicted two teenagers (my friends) gazing at a washed-up, decaying boat – representing the future reflecting on the past. The new cover features another teenager (my son) looking towards a different horizon – it’s more vibrant and hopeful, with a tree in front, always a positive symbol. However, being taken from the same location gives it personal significance to me.
3 – It’s Not The First Time
‘…A consequence apart, and strange to discover what is truthful…’
In this record, we look back without being nostalgic. We considered all the songs we've created and the new material currently being developed. For “The First Time,” we drew references from our own past, not sentimentally, but positively and creatively – recognizing that Idlewild has a distinctive ‘sound’ that our new songs should celebrate. Thus, this particular track feels reminiscent of something you might find on ‘The Remote Part.’
Happiness stems from within, not from external conditions – that’s essentially what this song conveys.
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4 – (I Can’t Help) Back Then You Found Me
‘…As magic turns its attention to the others that we’ve misunderstood…’
Some songs resonate with the night, while others resonate with the day—some are suited to morning, others to afternoon or late night. I’d categorize this song as early afternoon. This song exemplifies the Idlewild writing process – Lucci and I developed the initial idea – the verse, chorus, and melody before collaborating with the rest of the band in various locations (Edinburgh and Iona). It took many turns, was almost discarded at one point, but ultimately evolved into a sound influenced by Wilco (a band we all admire). It took about two years from conception to completion. Not all songs undergo this journey, but those that do are particularly satisfying to listen to, as they feel like a complete exploration of an idea.
5 – The Mirror Still
‘…The mirror still needs its own reflection…’
To appreciate something directly, we create wishes. A guitar, bass, drum kit, keyboards, and vocals—it's important to explore our limits within these parameters. I believe this song (especially when compared to the preceding and following tracks on the album) demonstrates that Idlewild is continually challenging ourselves creatively. This track probably shares the closest connection to our previous album, ‘Interview Music.’
I still don’t fully grasp this song, but my appreciation for it grows each time I hear it. There’s a sense of humanity woven throughout. I actually penned the lyrics while on holiday, sitting on a bench along a beach promenade, observing tourists and locals—entirely unaware of each other, yet all present together. We fabricated mirrors to reflect back at ourselves.
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6 – Make It Happen
‘..nowhere is real when nothing happens…’
REM,
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A new album from the Scottish band Idlewild is always something to celebrate, as their post-2013 second phase features some amazing, mature, and radiant music.