IDLES – Rabbit Run

IDLES’ post-punk preaching evolves into cinematic orchestration on ‘Rabbit Run,’ their contribution to Darren Aronofsky’s heist-thriller ‘Caught Stealing.’ What started from running into each other backstage at a late-night talk-show host studio has now truly become bred-of-the-bone: a band acting as full-on songwriting symphony for an entire motion-picture score.

The track is just pure nervous system motorik drums, pounding like a heart under pressure, while distorted guitars whine and snarl with inventive menace. Joe Talbot’s vocals encapsulate the central thematic concerns of the film, mainly facing up to fear, teetering very nearly on the edge of hysteria before swerving defiantly into the heart of the storm. This is not a soundtrack; it is a soundtracking something, anxiety made visceral, forward momentum.

Aronofsky wanted somebody to capture this very mid-90s New York Punk energy, to mainline the sensibility right into his roller coaster of fun, and who better than IDLES. Working with composer Rob Simonsen, the band was able to create four original tracks and then approach the entire score as a collective piece, treating IDLES as living, breathing orchestration rather than mere guest contributors.

‘Rabbit Run’ brings the brutal punch of raw energy IDLES’ first fame was built on, swerving away from the introspective themes of their Grammy nomination ‘TANGK’ album. The track is cracking with paranoid noir energy, releasing that cathartic basement punk show, proof that success has not blunted them but has found them a thrillingly cinematic playground for their beautiful chaotic noise.

The collaboration is about creative kinship; it’s a bold experiment in integrating the band into the filmmaking fabric. ’Caught Stealing’, when it hits theatres with its soundtrack on August 29, will show if punk sensibility can truly blast holes in movie screens — or if that’s just the kind of hyperbole that makes great press quotes.