Sleaford Mods - The Demise Of Planet X

Since 2021’s ‘Spare Ribs’, Sleaford Mods have kept their trusty formula fresh by adding a few new voices here and there, and it’s this approach they’ve continued with on ‘The Demise of Planet X’, with collaborations including Aldous Harding, Sue Tompkins, and fellow Nottingham artists Snowy and Liam Bailey. Most notable of all, though, is ‘The Good Life’, on which a hypnotic chorus comes courtesy of Big Special, and its electrifying third verse sees Jason Williamson hand over the mic to Game of Thrones star Gwendoline Christie. It’s such a mesmeric and infectious track that unfortunately bears a curse; its most interesting and illuminating parts come without the frontman’s signature bark.

The record sometimes hints at an overarching theme, as Jason comes to terms with his younger bravado to embrace a more mellow way of life. Closer ‘The Unwrap’ is perhaps the greatest window into this state of mind, as the protagonist buys clothes off the internet to cope with oblivion; “I just buy stuff now,” he acquiesces, almost confessionally. This is when the album is at its most compelling, whereas elsewhere, it’s more of the same. “No war, no death!” he bleats over ‘Megaton’’s beats, the closest they come to addressing the controversy over their Palestine flag walkout. ‘Bad Santa’ sees a line of expletives delivered over a trip hop beat, while ‘Don Draper’ and the Magic Roundabout-sampling title track are more word-collages that elicit meaning but no form of progression. At some point, you have to wonder; who is this for? If not already a fan, what would one get out of ‘The Demise of Planet X’ that doesn’t already feature in their back catalogue, beside a few more timely references? Much like the state of the country they wax lyrical about, Sleaford Mods are stuck in a rut.