| Sleaford Mods | ||||
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| EP by | ||||
| Released | 14 September 2018 | |||
| Recorded | 2018 | |||
| Studio | JT Soar, Nottingham | |||
| Length | 15:03 | |||
| Label | Rough Trade | |||
| Sleaford Mods chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Sleaford Mods | ||||
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Sleaford Mods is the third extended play by the English duo Sleaford Mods,[a] released on 14 September 2018 through Rough Trade Records. Recorded earlier that year, the EP was preceded by the single "Stick in a Five and Go" and reached no. 42 in the UK Albums Chart.
Recording and composition
The EP was recorded in Nottingham at studio JT Soar in 2018.[2] On the lead tracks "Stick in a Five and Go" and "Bang Someone Out", vocalist Jason Williamson created the songs as outlets for his more violent imaginations,[3] which are a result of both the political aftermath of Brexit and what he described as "historical flaws in my personality". The lyrics on "Gallows Hill" are based on the history of a war cemetery in Nottingham. Originally written as a song, Williamson adapted it into a short story,[4] included as one of thirteen in his book Happy Days released later in 2018.[5] The fourth track, "Dregs", refers to Williamson's time working as a glass collector in a Nottingham bar where he would often drink the patrons' leftovers, and the closer, "Joke Shop", was originally not intended to be included as part of the EP; Williamson was ultimately encouraged by his manager Steve Underwood to add one more piece that showed the group was open to experimentation.[4]
Release and singles
Coinciding with the announcement for the EP, Sleaford Mods was preceded by the single "Stick in a Five and Go" on 31 July 2018.[6] Backed by a bassline and an electronic beat, "Stick in a Five and Go" details a revenge fantasy.[7] In the plot, after reading a confrontational comment on Twitter, Jason Williamson finds the user's address, poses as a postman for the Royal Mail with a fake package, and drives to their home to goad the commenter into a real life confrontation, repeating "Sign for it mate".[3]
Sleaford Mods was released on 14 September 2018 through Rough Trade Records,[3] about a year and a half after their album English Tapas (2017).[7] It peaked on the UK Albums Chart at no. 42, additionally placing on the Scottish Albums and UK Independent Albums Charts at no. 20 and 8, respectively.[8]
Critical reception
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [9] |
| PopMatters | 8/10[3] |
| The Skinny | [7] |
In a review for AllMusic, Heather Phares considered Sleaford Mods to be "As vivid, eloquent, and artfully ugly as any of their full-lengths," and that, referencing the quality of their previous EPs, it "proves once again that there's no such thing as a stopgap release in Fearn and Williamson's world.[9] Randal Doane of PopMatters rated Sleaford Mods 8 out of 10 and called it "a solid EP and a key cultural artifact for what looks increasingly like a hard Brexit."[3] In a four star review for The Skinny, Lewis Wade said that "while there's a bit more variation in the instrumentation than usual it's still very much what you'd expect", highlighting the "barnstorming" opener and lead single "Stick in a Five and Go" as "the EP's best" track.[7]
Track listing
All lyrics are written by Jason Williamson, except "Bang Someone Out" (Williamson, Nail); all music is composed by Andrew Fearn.[2]
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Stick in a Five and Go" | 3:53 |
| 2. | "Bang Someone Out" | 3:32 |
| 3. | "Gallows Hill" | 2:21 |
| 4. | "Dregs" | 2:27 |
| 5. | "Joke Shop" | 2:50 |
| Total length: | 15:03 | |
Personnel
Credits are adapted from the CD liner notes[2] and Tidal.[10]
- Jason Williamson – vocals
- Andrew Fearn – programming
- Matt Colton – mastering at Alchemy, London
- Duncan Stafford – photography
Charts
| Chart (2018) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Scottish Albums (OCC)[8] | 20 |
| UK Albums (OCC)[8] | 42 |
| UK Independent Albums (OCC)[8] | 8 |
Notes
- ^ Not to be confused with Sleaford Mods' 2007 self-titled debut album.[1]
References
- ^ Sharp, Johnny (10 August 2020). "Sleaford Mods". Record Collector. Retrieved 4 November 2025.
- ^ a b c Sleaford Mods (2018). Sleaford Mods (CD liner notes). Rough Trade Records. RT0024CDS.
- ^ a b c d e Doane, Randal (28 September 2018). "Nasty, Brutish, and Danceable: The New Sleaford Mods EP". PopMatters. Retrieved 1 November 2025.
- ^ a b Kinney, Fergal (30 August 2018). "The Truth, And Nothing But The Truth: Sleaford Mods Interviewed". Clash. Retrieved 4 November 2018.
- ^ Williamson, Jason (2018). Happy Days. Amphetamine Sulphate. ISBN 978-0999182567.
- ^ Helman, Peter (31 July 2018). "Sleaford Mods – 'Stick In A Five And Go'". Stereogum. Retrieved 1 November 2025.
- ^ a b c d Wade, Lewis (11 September 2018). "Sleaford Mods – Sleaford Mods EP". The Skinny. Retrieved 1 November 2025.
- ^ a b c d "Sleaford Mods | Artist | Official Charts". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 1 November 2025.
- ^ a b Phares, Heather. Sleaford Mods – Sleaford Mods: Review at AllMusic. Retrieved 1 November 2025.
- ^ "Sleaford Mods / Sleaford Mods / Credits". Tidal. Retrieved 1 November 2025.
External links
- Sleaford Mods at Discogs (list of releases)
