IDLES Albums Ranked: Fan Favorites (2025)
IDLES. The name itself feels like a statement.
Their music is a visceral, often confrontational, exploration of modern life. It's raw, honest, and undeniably powerful.
But when it comes to the IDLES albums ranked, which records hit hardest for the fans? We're diving into their studio discography, guided primarily by the pulse of the fanbase.
This journey helps us explore what many consider the best IDLES albums. We'll also glance at how current popularity data stacks up. Let's get started.
Ranking IDLES's albums: The fan favorites
Here's how the albums stack up based on fan sentiment, community discussions, and overall buzz.
We're starting with the most beloved.
1. TANGK (2024)
Released in early 2024, TANGK is the fifth studio album from IDLES.
The album saw the band collaborating with producers Nigel Godrich and Kenny Beats, alongside IDLES' own Mark Bowen.
Lead vocalist Joe Talbot described TANGK as an album about love, gratitude, and power. He aimed to make people dance and feel the music viscerally.
It garnered positive critical reception and was even nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Rock Album.
Key tracks:
- Dancer
- Gift Horse
Securing the top spot in our fan-driven ranking, TANGK clearly signifies a powerful connection with IDLES' listeners.
Its exploration of themes like love and gratitude, while retaining the band's characteristic energy, appears to have resonated deeply within the fanbase.
2. Brutalism (2017)
Brutalism is the debut studio album by IDLES, unleashed in March 2017.
The album was profoundly affected by the passing of Joe Talbot's mother, who is featured on the cover. Her experience and death heavily influenced the album's themes.
Recorded largely live to maintain a raw feel, Brutalism tackled subjects like grief, the roles of women, and class issues with striking honesty.
It received widespread critical acclaim for its wit, urgency, and unflinching social commentary.
Key tracks:
- Mother
- 1049 Gotho
As the band's explosive debut, Brutalism holds a cherished place, evident by its high fan ranking.
Its raw emotion and foundational sound established IDLES as a vital new voice, and fans clearly haven't forgotten that initial impact.
3. CRAWLER (2021)
CRAWLER, IDLES' fourth studio album, arrived in November 2021.
This record saw the band delving into themes of trauma and recovery, with frontman Joe Talbot reflecting on past struggles, including a serious car accident.
Musically, while still rooted in their signature sound, CRAWLER explored more nuanced textures and moods. It has been described as a hardcore punk, noise rock, and post-punk record.
The album earned critical acclaim and a Grammy nomination for Best Rock Album, showcasing the band's evolving artistry.
Key tracks:
- The Beachland Ballroom
- When the Lights Come On
Sitting comfortably in the top half of the fan rankings, CRAWLER demonstrates IDLES' ability to evolve while retaining their core appeal.
Fans seem to appreciate its more introspective turn, proving the band can explore new depths without losing their power.
4. Ultra Mono (2020)
IDLES released their third studio album, Ultra Mono, in September 2020.
The album continued to explore established themes like capitalism, class struggle, and toxic masculinity, while also touching on the band's experiences with newfound fame.
Joe Talbot described Ultra Mono as an album about processing trauma and finding pragmatic ways to move forward. It featured guest appearances from artists like Jehnny Beth and David Yow.
Reception was generally positive, with many critics praising its directness and energy, though some found its approach less nuanced than previous works.
Key tracks:
- Mr. Motivator
- Grounds
Ultra Mono's position reflects a solid, if not top-tier, appreciation among the fanbase.
Its direct and hard-hitting approach likely energizes a significant portion of listeners, even if others gravitate more towards the band's other explorations.
5. Joy as an Act of Resistance. (2018)
Joy as an Act of Resistance. is the second studio album from IDLES, released in August 2018.
Following their debut, this album continued to build on their success, with lyrics addressing toxic masculinity, self-love, immigration, and Brexit.
Joe Talbot described it as an attempt to be vulnerable and encourage vulnerability. The album includes personal themes, such as the track "June," which deals with the stillbirth of his daughter.
The album received widespread critical acclaim and peaked at number 5 on the UK Albums Chart, cementing IDLES' status as a significant force in modern rock.
Key tracks:
- Never Fight A Man With A Perm
- I'm Scum
While Joy as an Act of Resistance. appears at this point in our fan-based ranking, its critical acclaim and impact are undeniable.
Perhaps its unflinching confrontation of difficult subjects resonates powerfully with a dedicated core, making it a landmark album even if it doesn't top every fan's personal list today.
IDLES's albums: A look at popularity data
While fan sentiment paints a rich picture, current popularity data can offer another interesting angle.
This looks at an artist's discography through a different lens.
Below is a ranking of IDLES's albums based on their popularity scores from available data. This reflects which releases are currently seeing significant engagement.
| Popularity Rank | Album Title | Release Year |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | TANGK | 2024 |
| 2 | Joy as an Act of Resistance. | 2018 |
| 3 | CRAWLER | 2021 |
| 4 | Brutalism | 2017 |
| 5 | Ultra Mono | 2020 |
Quick FAQs about IDLES's albums
Q: What was a key inspiration behind IDLES' album TANGK?
A: Vocalist Joe Talbot expressed that he "needed love" and aimed for TANGK to be an album of "gratitude and power." He wanted to create music that made people feel and dance.
Q: Who were some of the notable producers for IDLES' album TANGK?
A: TANGK was produced by Nigel Godrich, known for his work with Radiohead, and Kenny Beats, along with IDLES' own Mark Bowen.
So, there you have it – a look at IDLES's albums ranked.
We've journeyed through fan adoration and taken a peek at current engagement data.
Ultimately, the "best" IDLES album is often the one that connects with you on a personal level. The one that soundtracks a specific moment or feeling.
Each record is a fierce, distinct statement. What does your personal ranking of IDLES's albums look like? Which one truly roars for you, and why?