English Tapas came out in 2017, and it’s the album where Sleaford Mods double down on their razor-sharp take on life in modern Britain. By this point, Jason Williamson and Andrew Fearn had already built a reputation for mixing deadpan wit with biting social commentary, and this record feels like them at their absolute best – funny, furious, and full of attitude.

The sound is stripped-down, punchy, and hypnotic. Minimal electronic beats, gritty synths, and Fearn’s tight production give Williamson’s ranting vocals all the space they need to hit hard. It’s raw, rhythmic, and instantly addictive, with a kind of minimalist energy that keeps you hooked even when the lyrics are scathing. There’s punk spirit, spoken-word cadence, and electronic grit all wrapped into one uniquely Sleaford Mods package.

Tracks like “Army Nights” and “Just Like We Do” immediately grab you with their relentless drive, while “B.H.S.” and “Carlton Touts” showcase Williamson’s knack for storytelling and wry social observation. Even the quieter tracks, like “Time Sands” or “I Feel So Wrong,” pull you in with their tension and attitude, rewarding close listening with little lyrical twists you might’ve missed the first time.

What makes English Tapas worth revisiting is how alive it still feels. It’s funny, furious, and brutally honest, but also surprisingly hypnotic and engaging. Whether you’re drawn to the commentary or just the hypnotic grooves, it’s an album that hooks you immediately and sticks with you long after the last track ends.