If you have a tendency to use the spellings f*** and c***, perhaps Sleaford Mods are not for you. If you can cope with a liberal dose of expletives and a fiery attitude, however, then Key Markets is as good a reflection of the state of Austerity Britain as anyone has put to music. As with 2014’s breakthrough Divide and Exit album, Jason Williamson lays down barbed snarls and vitriolic stream-of-consciousness vocals, like an East Midlands Travis Bickle, while Andrew Fearn provides claustrophobic grooves made up of minimalist loops and beats that make it clear that neither of them could ever be mistaken for cast members of Made In Chelsea.
Losing none of the snarky edge which has become Sleaford Mods’ calling card, opening tune “Live Tonight” is lairy and in-your-face from the off and reminiscent of The Fall at their best. “No One’s Bothered” addresses paranoia and isolation with Williamson barking, “You’re trapped? Me too” over harsh and monotonous beats that suggest impending violence. “Bronx In a Six” takes down those who make a bit of cash and lose their souls, while “Cunt Make It Up” sneers at the wannabes and fakers with a snarling, “You’re shit. You look like Rocket From The Crypt”. It is, however, on “Face To Faces” that Sleaford Mods really strike gold. A succinct and hugely entertaining demolition of the UK political system, it initially comes off like a neat distillation of the failings of modern capitalism before turning its guns on the Westminster system: “Boris on a bike. Quick. Knock the cunt over.”
If Key Markets sounds like it might be a monotonous and dour political diatribe, nothing could be further from the truth. Jason Williamson may sound vitriolic and, at times, bitter but his lyrics are always witty and often laugh-out-loud funny. It is a fine antidote to those musicians who have been happy to keep their heads down and go along with a programme while the country is taken apart by greedheads.
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