Sleaford Mods have released their new album, The Demise Of Planet X, via Rough Trade Records.
Andrew Fearn and Jason Williamson’s most expansive and ambitious release to date, the album features a rare guest appearance from former Life Without Buildings frontwoman Sue Tompkins, plus collaborations with Aldous Harding, soul singer Liam Bailey and grime MC Snowy, the latter two both hailing from band’s hometown Nottingham.
Most recently, Sleaford Mods teamed up with Aldous Harding for their new single, ‘Elitest G.O.A.T’, which is out now.
Pulsing with chiming synths and propulsive beats, ‘Elitest G.O.A.T.’ is a bittersweet soundtrack to modern life as this melodic gem mixes 21st-century angst, social bravado, Daleks and light-as-a-cloud vocals from the incomparable Harding.
“When we did the bare bones of Elitest G.O.A.T. it unnerved me because it almost sounded like a small band because for the bassline we really took influence from progressive music like David Bowie’s Low.” explains Williamson. “But Andrew always comes up with something really good and tasteful, and his beat ticking away pulls it back into Sleaford Mods. As I put the vocal on, I knew it was a goer. We’ve created something a bit different, and Aldous Harding really helped with that. She is brilliant on this track, and it is one of my favourites on the album. It’s such a good song.”
Andrew Fearn and Jason Williamson’s collaboration with the New Zealand singer-songwriter came from their long-standing friendship and artistic relationship. The Sleaford Mods frontman provided guest vocals on ‘Leathery Whip’, a song from Harding’s 2022 album Warm Chris, and so they knew exactly who to ask when ‘Elitest G.O.A.T.’ drew Sleaford Mods onto fresh territory.
“We asked Aldous if she’d be up for doing the business for us, and luckily, she was over here recording,” adds Williamson. “So, she joined us in the studio in Bristol. That day at Invada Studios was very special. I felt like we’d really accomplished something.”
A video for ‘Elitest G.O.A.T’ is available to watch now. Mixing a host of thought-provoking found footage with the band and Aldous Harding’s own imagery, it has been directed by John Minton.
WATCH/LISTEN
Sleaford Mods Ft. Aldous Harding – ‘Elitest G.O.A.T.’ (Official Video)
“The video is a feeding frenzy of images,” explains Minton who has just made his feature-length directorial debut with the thriller Game. “Vampires and sharks chomping through themes of infighting, herd mentality, privilege, fear and escapism. Get taken for a ride. Outright.”
“We wanted a video that reflected the banal energy of people posturing in the face of other people’s pain and misery,” adds Williamson. “Not everyone is guilty of this, obviously, but recently there’s been a wave of souvenir-shop activism set against the backdrop of our collectively failing societies. I was drawn to the ideas in Mark Fisher’s Exiting The Vampire Castle, particularly its critique of an imploding Left, alongside imagery of time-warped nothingness and collective conformity. John captures this perfectly: an odd slab of cold, passionless pictures.”
In addition to the new single, Sleaford Mods are toasting the release of The Demise Of Planet X with a collaboration with Ilkley Brewery, who have produced two beers to accompany the album.
Available in both as a 4% IPA and an alcohol-free lager, both versions are gluten-free and are available from the brewery’s website at www.ilkleybrewery.co.uk.
“We often have ‘The Mods’ playing in the background in our brewhouse, and so when the call came, I don’t think anyone here hesitated for a second,” explains Ilkley Brewery’s Rich Thackray. “We were always confident that we would brew stand-out beers, and collaborating with Jason and Andrew has been incredible. The cans look great as well as tasting great, and I can’t wait to see the beer pouring at music venues and bars across the UK to coincide with the forthcoming Tour.”
Inspired by the new album’s artwork, the cans feature Andrew Fearn on the IPA and Jason Williamson on the lager.
“Charting the end of days is thirsty work, so cheers to Ilkley Brewery for being on hand to quench our thirst,” declares Williamson of the link-up. “They are proper G.O.A.Ts with the hops, so I encourage everyone to raise a glass to The Demise Of Planet X.”
Five pence from the sale of every can and 10p from every pint pulled will be donated by Ilkley Brewery to War Child, continuing Sleaford Mods longstanding association with the charity.
Alongside the beer, ‘Elitest G.O.A.T.’ offers a vivid taste of The Demise Of Planet X’s flavours, which sees Sleaford Mods’ laser-focused anger and electro antagonism joined by new depths and shades.
Recent single ‘No Touch’ saw the pair recruit Sue Tompkins from the much-missed Life Without Buildings to deliver a charming, almost romantic burst of energy, while ‘The Good Life’ brought The Big Special and Severance actress Gwendoline Christie – making her music debut – into the Sleaford Mods universe, conjuring up an electro psychodrama.
Sleaford Mods Ft. Gwendoline Christie & Big Special – ‘The Good Life’ (Official Video)
‘Megaton’, previous released in aid of Ward Child last autumn, is a dancefloor shaking stomper, while the brooding ‘Bad Santa’ delves back into Sleaford Mods’ hip hop roots, sticking Donald Trump firmly on the ‘naughty list’, while the full album also includes yet to be released collaborations with soul singer Liam Bailey and rapper Snowy, both from Mods’ hometown Nottingham, as Fearn and Williamson deliver their most ambitious yet searingly coherent album to date.
The Demise Of Planet X is available in a limited, glow-in-the-dark edition, boasting a luminous LP and gatefold sleeve design, which can be purchased exclusively from the band and Rough Trade Records’ online shops, while independent record shops are selling a neon green marbled version. The Demise Of Planet X is available on black vinyl, CD and cassette, the latter coming in a fetching shade of toxic green.
Following The Demise Of Planet X’s release, Sleaford Mods will head out on a global tour in spring 2026. Their UK and Ireland tour kicks off at Glasgow’s Barrowland Ballroom on 6 February, while they are also due to visit Europe, New Zealand and Australia, with further shows due to be announced soon.
Sleaford Mods will play in Auckland, New Zealand, on Saturday, April 25, 2026, at the Powerstation. They are also scheduled to perform in Wellington, New Zealand, on Thursday, April 23, 2026, at meow NUI.
Sleaford Mods
The Demise Of Planet X
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