Mogwai: "Stupid Prick Gets Chased By The Police And Loses His Slut Girlfriend"

No longer content with merely waging blog wars against all rival acts inside bitching distance, Stuart Braithwaite and chums have progressed to addressing their influences directly, this time crossing swords with some poor anonymous ruffian in what could be their most divinely ridiculous (and cheekily misleading) song title to date. Composed in solitude by the band’s piano and laptop section, John Cummings and Dominic Aitchison, “Stupid Prick Gets Chased By The Police And Loses His Slut Girlfriend” feels vaguely like a kidsafe trailer for the upcoming The Hawk Is Howling LP, especially when compared to the jarring brimstone of its more feral “Batcat” A-side. For five miraging minutes, the band waft guitar subtitles from the Withnail & I OST past a peal of chiming harpsichords, turning their intentions just a little acrid once the bass brings organs and drums softly tumbling. The calm before the proverbial inclemency, it’s like watching a seasoned pool pro coolly apply the chalk, gauging the table for potential flaws as he prepares to plant a nuke in the triangle. Think hard and you can almost imagine Newman’s eyes cutting in close-up while he’s staring his foe into a panic.

However, despite the hints of menace, “Stupid Prick” definitely belongs on the lighter end of the Mogwai litmus, rich in the “Andy Miller returns as producer” lore that’s set the fans raving, yet still as roundly travelled as 2006’s Mr Beast. The best of both worlds, then? Not exactly—but, even if you’re unfamiliar with the bulk of the band’s output or are put off by the gimmicky mood-swings, you’ll no doubt still appreciate the journey.