Sleaford Mods have shared the pulsing new single ‘Elitest G.O.A.T.’, which is inspired by David Bowie and features a collaboration with Aldous Harding.
The track is the latest to be released from upcoming new album ‘The Demise Of Planet X’, following on from singles ‘Megaton’, ‘The Good Life’, ‘Bad Santa’, and ‘No Touch’. Set for release on Friday (January 16) via Rough Trade, the record is the eighth studio album from the Nottingham duo and available to pre-order here.
Gradually building with a steady, pulsating beat, the single blends together bright-sounding synths with the direct, signature vocals of frontman Jason Williamson. The angst and social critique in the verses are playfully contrasted by the ethereal chorus line from Harding: “Now my life is much better, since I behave the way I never”.
“When we did the bare bones of ‘Elitest G.O.A.T.’ it unnerved me because it almost sounded like a small band,” Williamson said. “Because for the bassline we really took influence from progressive music like David Bowie’s ‘Low’.”
“But Andrew [Fearn, instrumentalist] 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,” he added.
“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.”
The collaboration with Harding comes following Williamson first joining forces with the New Zealand singer-songwriter back in 2022, providing vocals on ‘Leathery Whip’ from her ‘Warm Chris‘ album.
As for how the collaboration on ‘Elitest G.O.A.T.’ arose, Williamson said that he approached the singer to ask “if she’d be up for doing the business for us”.
“Luckily, she was over here recording. So, she joined us in the studio in Bristol,” he explained. “That day at Invada Studios was very special. I felt like we’d really accomplished something.”
Back in October, Sleaford Mods spoke to NME about the highly anticipated follow-up to 2023’s ‘UK Grim‘, and the frontman explained how the forthcoming album was made after he reflected on his past behaviours and focused on improving his mental health.
“It has harmonised my immediate surroundings: my family, the way I have a relationship with my children and my wife,” he told us. “That to me was the most important thing because I grew up with not that at all. I wanted to break the cycle with my family and I’ve managed to do that. That’s first and foremost.”
He also touched on how he was feeling inspired by Bowie when working on the album, sharing that he became interested in the music icon’s “approach to music on ‘Station To Station’ and ‘Low’”.
“[It wasn’t] so much vibing off the songs, but more figuring out how he did it and what drove him to it. It’s about putting yourself in that position as well and trying to be a bit more free with everything,” Williamson continued.
“‘Scary Monsters’ as well. The sounds are great and some of his lyrics are terrible, but it all works. He’s got these layers of backing vocals and a lot of doo-woop stuff and Motown melodies that you don’t quite catch.”
The post-punk duo announced plans for a UK and European tour back in September, with dates taking place in Glasgow, Manchester, Leeds, Liverpool, Cardiff, Dublin, Belfast and more next month.
In November, the band then announced details of “low income tickets” for the shows – creating more affordable options for those who are struggling financially.
This wasn’t the first time that Sleaford Mods released £5 tickets for those on low incomes. Back in 2024, they announced that they would be doing the same for the UK dates they had that winter, and they later told NME about the decision, saying that while it was “quite a complicated procedure”, they were determined to make it work for the sake of their fans.
The band are donating £1/€1 from every ticket sold on their 2026 tour to War Child, and they previously confirmed that they would be donating the proceeds from ‘Megatron’ to the charity too, as part of an ongoing partnership. Visit here for remaining tickets to UK dates and here for European shows.
Sleaford Mods have also teamed up with Ilkley Brewery and announced two new beers to accompany the album. Available now via Ilkley’s website, the packaging shows both members and is inspired by the album artwork. Five pence from the sale of every can and 10 pence from every pint pulled will be donated to War Child too.
“Charting the end of days is thirsty work, so cheers to Ilkley Brewery for being on hand to quench our thirst,” said Williamson of the new partnership. “They are proper G.O.A.Ts with the hops, so I encourage everyone to raise a glass to ‘The Demise Of Planet X’.”
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