Sleaford Mods have always conveyed the theme of collapse without needing spectacle. On ‘The Demise of Planet X’, the apocalypse is presented through repetition, fatigue, and the erosion of meaning rather than through dramatic events. Planet X is not an imaginary or futuristic place, but a familiar representation of a post-Armageddon Britain, where situations persist without any signs of improvement. Jason Williamson likened the album's atmosphere to a Midlands nightclub after the party ends, and that imagery underlines the album's mood. Following the 2023 release of ‘UK GRIM’, this album feels more observational than reactive. While the previous work captured raw frustration, ‘The Demise of Planet X’ reveals what occurs once that frustration becomes routine.
Recorded at Abbey Road, Invada, and JT Soar, this is Sleaford Mods' most expansive album yet, but the additional space does not soften its overall sound. Andrew Fearn’s production shifts from brief, utilitarian loops to longer arrangements that maintain a sense of tension. The beats linger, repetition is highlighted, and the tracks are given space to resonate with the listener rather than rush toward resolution. Anger is consistently present throughout the album, but it is evenly spread, adding to a feeling of persistence.
Lyrically, the album often turns inward as much as it critiques external subjects, establishing its central tension early on. The lead single and opener, ‘The Good Life’, centers on self-reflection rather than direct attack. It begins with Gwendoline Christie’s laughter before morphing into a sound distinctly recognizable as Sleaford Mods. Williamson examines his urge to criticize and devalue, while Big Special’s chorus presents ‘the good life’ as something imposed and performative. Christie’s voice serves as an internal voice rather than just a guest feature, and the track unfolds like an unresolved debate, setting the mood for what follows.
This inward focus is complemented by moments that look both backward and outward. ‘Double Diamond’, penned before Fearn joined the band, briefly revisits early Sleaford Mods territory, with its subdued guitar lines and monotone delivery anchoring the album. Meanwhile, ‘Elitist G.O.A.T’ signifies a clear evolution, featuring shorter, more punchy lyrics and a more immediate, upbeat vibe. Aldous Harding’s chorus captivates without diluting the track, while the abrupt conclusion enhances its clipped energy. These changes appear intentional, broadening the album's scope without disrupting its unity.
The record’s engagement with digital culture pervades its central section. Tracks like ‘Megaton’ and ‘Shoving The Images’ tackle social media and political expression with unfiltered directness, reflecting the tempo and structure of online environments. Political consciousness is ever-present yet ineffective, reduced to mere visibility instead of action. This sense of overload and paralysis becomes a defining aspect of Planet X, a world molded by both algorithms and ideology.
Collaborations, previously missing from Sleaford Mods albums, are now utilized to unsettle rather than soften the tone. Sue Tompkins’ involvement in ‘No Touch’ introduces a sense of disorientation, her voice being instantly recognizable, while ‘Bad Santa’ returns to more explicit political critique without matching aggression with hostility. ‘Flood The Zone’, featuring Liam Bailey, amplifies the album’s atmosphere of dread, and ‘Kill List’ ventures into more rap-oriented terrain, adding a rough edge to the album.
The album concludes without providing resolution. Tracks like the title track and ‘The Unwrap’ emphasize the central theme that consumption and routine serve as distractions rather than avenues for escape.
‘The Demise Of Planet X’ presents no solutions or relief. It merely reflects a current state characterized by repetition, consumption, and fatigue. Rather than escalating, it maintains its stance, making it one of Sleaford Mods’ most coherent and measured albums to date. The apocalypse depicted here is not on the horizon; it has already occurred, and everyone is still scrolling.
7/10
Words: Amelia Thompson
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Sleaford Mods have always conveyed the theme of collapse without relying on spectacle. In "The Demise of Planet X," the apocalypse is presented through the lenses of repetition, fatigue, and