Recorded for just £5,000, Brutalism is a masterpiece of lo-fi ferocity. In FLAC, the roughness becomes a feature. Tracks like "Mother" and "Well Done" reveal hidden tape saturation and room bleed that cheaper formats smear.
Recorded for under $5,000, Brutalism is intentionally dirty, but not low-fidelity. In FLAC, the room tone of the recording studio becomes an instrument. Tracks like "Mother" and "Well Done" reveal tape saturation and clipping that define the album’s character. A 2021 re-master of Brutalism surfaced in lossless circles, offering slightly less compression on the drum transients—essential for hearing Lee Kiernan’s chaotic guitar layers. IDLES DISCOGRAPHY -FLAC- 2021
By 2020, IDLES incorporated more synth bass and hip-hop inspired production. FLAC captures the low-end distortion that digital streaming algorithms try to smooth over. The guest spots (Warren Ellis, Jehnny Beth) are panned with surgical precision. For a 2021 collector, the deluxe edition of Ultra Mono in FLAC includes instrumental stems that are a masterclass in modern production. Recorded for just £5,000, Brutalism is a masterpiece
As of Dec 2021, no new studio album after Crawler.
Live sessions (e.g., Live at le Bataclan) are video-only or streaming – no official FLAC. Meat Mixtape (2015)
If you want, I can also add a ripping guide for IDLES CDs (exact settings for EAC or XLD) to ensure perfect FLAC creation from physical media.
Verdict: Essential listening, but a mixed bag in terms of audio production and file organization.
This review covers the content of the complete discography up to 2021 (covering Brutalism, Joy as an Act of Resistance, Ultra Mono, and Crawler), specifically judging the quality of the FLAC rip and the listening experience.