Label: Mute
Released: 2nd May 2025
South London siblings PUNCHBAG – Clara and Anders Bach – have fashioned a five-track EP that pirouettes between pristine pop production and deliberate destruction, each song a carefully orchestrated collision.
‘Fuck It’ announces their manifesto with hypnotic synth textures that suddenly fracture into overdriven guitars and Clara’s commanding presence. It’s the kind of track that makes perfect sense at 2am, whether you’re dancing or demolishing the front row.
This creative tension runs through the EP’s DNA, reaching its apex on title-track ‘I’m Not Your Punchbag’, where biting lines (“Someone really hurt you, but that’s no problem of mine”) cut through pulsing electronics and serrated riffs like a stiletto through silk.
The production, helmed by Anders, demonstrates a keen understanding of dynamic contrast. ‘Pretty Youth’ delivers exactly what its title promises – a euphoric rush of youthful defiance. Meanwhile, ‘You Used To Be So Sexy’ introduces a more contemplative edge to their sound without sacrificing the infectious dance elements that make their music so immediately engaging.
The siblings’ natural chemistry shines through, particularly in the interplay between Clara’s vocals and Anders’ guitar work, and there’s an admirable fearlessness to their approach that suggests even greater things ahead. It’s gloriously untamed and utterly magnetic.
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