Sleaford Mods UK GRIM
Released Mar 10, 2023 Rough Trade
Consensus forming 3 professional reviews Updated Oct 6, 2026
Mostly positive consensus
Consensus is still forming across 3 professional reviews. Sleaford Mods's UK GRIM delivers a mordant, frequently funny catalog of songs that sharpen the duo's political satire while nudging their sound into new textures.
How ChoruScore worksCritics' Top Tracks
The songs critics returned to most
On the Ground
2 critic mentions
“Primed to be a rollicking brute when played live, groove mechanic Andrew Fearn cranks out Krautrock on ‘On The Ground’;” — Hot Press
Force 10 From Navarone
2 critic mentions
“Rounding out the guests is Dry Cleaning ’s Florence Shaw, who delivers numbness-as-feeling on ‘Force 10 From Navarone’.” — Hot Press
Apart From You
2 critic mentions
“Apart From You’ feels more fleshed out than other offerings also.” — The Line of Best Fit
Full critic consensus
Sleaford Mods's UK GRIM delivers a mordant, frequently funny catalog of songs that sharpen the duo's political satire while nudging their sound into new textures. Across three professional reviews the record earns a 73.33/100 consensus score, a reflection of critics praising Jason Williamson's venomous town-crier delivery and Andrew Fearn's minimalist beats even as some note the album's familiar provocation. The opening verdict: critics agree UK GRIM is worth attention for its urgency and a handful of standout tracks.
Reviewers consistently flag standout tracks when asked about the best songs on UK GRIM. “On the Ground” is celebrated for its Krautrock swagger and surprising groove, while “Force 10 From Navarone” gains heat through Florence Shaw's guest vocal and sharp chemistry. “Apart From You” and “Rhythms of Class” are also repeatedly singled out for their electro-funk and golden-age hip hop nods, respectively, demonstrating the record's genre-mixing and moments of melodic payoff amid minimalist production. Critics note guest contributions from Perry Farrell and others add texture without diluting the core vitriol.
While the consensus praises the duo's political commentary and sonic evolution, some reviews describe the collection as scattered in places, with punk bruisers and darker cuts like the title track trading off with more textured experiments. That tension - between raw social critique and occasional flirtations with groove and synth - is precisely what reviewers say makes UK GRIM a vital, if uneven, addition to Sleaford Mods' catalog. Below you'll find full professional reviews that expand on why these are the best tracks on UK GRIM and what critics say about the record's place in their oeuvre.
Track Ratings
How critics rated each track, relative to this album (0-100). Only tracks that made critics feel something are rated.
UK GRIM
Dlwhy
Force 10 From Navarone
Tilldipper
On the Ground
Right Wing Beast
Smash Each Other Up
Don
So Trendy
I Claudius
Pit 2 Pit
Apart From You
Tory Kong
Rhythms of Class
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What Critics Are Saying
Deep insights from 3 critics who reviewed this album
Ho
Critic's Take
Sleaford Mods carve out a bleak, snarling tableau on UK GRIM, where Jason Williamson's town-crier rhyming sits at peak form and exposes Tory Kong with relish. The best tracks on UK GRIM include “On the Ground” for its Krautrock swagger and “Apart From You” for its electro-funk workout, both exemplifying Andrew Fearn's knack for genre shifts. Williamson's lambasting of politicians and hipsters feels sharpest on these songs, making them the standout tracks on the album. The record's scattered guests, from Perry Farrell on “So Trendy” to Florence Shaw on “Force 10 From Navarone”, add texture without diluting the core anger and wit.
Key Points
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“On the Ground” is best for its Krautrock propulsion and live-ready brute energy.
Themes
Critic's Take
Sleaford Mods keep their blunt sociopolitical critique intact on UK GRIM, and the best songs on UK GRIM prove why. “Force 10 From Navarone” stands out as a highlight, the single bolstered by Dry Cleaning’s Florence Shaw and an absolutely masterful vocal pairing. The record’s willingness to shift textures is best heard on “Rhythms of Class”, which starts like golden-age hip hop before slipping into melodic synthpop. At the same time tracks such as “Right Wing Beast” and “Tory Kong” wear their politics plainly, giving fans the confrontational lines they expect.
Key Points
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‘Force 10 From Navarone’ is the album’s standout for its single status and the Florence Shaw collaboration.
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The album’s core strength is blunt, political lyricism over minimalist beats while cautiously expanding its sonic palette.
Themes
Critic's Take
Sleaford Mods sound as mordant and unyielding as ever on UK GRIM, and the review points squarely to a handful of best tracks that show why. The title cut and the punk bruisers like “Tilldipper” and “Pit 2 Pit” land as ferocious high points, while darker pieces such as “Dlwhy” and “Don” allow Williamson's lyricism to take centre stage. There are moments of surprising texture too - notably “On the Ground” and “Apart From You” - which make them among the best songs on UK GRIM without softening the record's habitual bite. This is a vital, angry record that rewards listeners seeking the best tracks on UK GRIM for its political urgency and rare melodic flashes.
Key Points
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The best song moments combine political bite with occasional melodic or production variation, making tracks like "On the Ground" standouts.
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The album's core strength is sustained, angry political commentary delivered through minimalistic but occasionally textured production.