Punchbag's Electropop Evolution: A Glorious Racket Against Mainstream Beige
The perfect antidote to mainstream beige arrives in the form of Punchbag, the South London sibling duo comprising Clara and Anders Bach. Their sweaty, unvarnished electropop offers a refreshing departure from polished pop norms, with their latest EP adding new darkness to their signature sound.
A Nostalgic Nod to Wonky Pop Roots
If this were April 2008, Punchbag would likely be headlining an NME tour alongside acts like Alphabeat and Frankmusik, hailed on forums as pioneers of "wonky pop." Their debut single, Fuck It, encapsulates this era with its off-kilter, genre-blending electropop, featuring 90s rave influences, maximalist bass, and Clara's raw, spit-soaked vocals. It evokes memories of soundtracking awkward moments on shows like Skins, capturing a frenetic energy that defined their early work.
Last May, they expanded this with their debut EP, I'm Not Your Punchbag, which included frantic bangers like You Used to Be So Sexy. This track imagines a GarageBand-produced version of the Veronicas, had they grown up in east London rather than Brisbane, showcasing their ability to blend pop sensibilities with gritty, urban influences.
Darkening Hues in the Follow-Up EP
This month's follow-up, I Am Obsessed, takes their neon palette and infuses it with darker tones. Lyrically, the duo zooms in on the scabby surface of contemporary reality, with tracks like Playing God ironically dedicated to men in power. This dry ice ballad serves as a sonic palette cleanser, highlighting their musical evolution through atmospheric unfurling and rich melodies that lean towards arena-sized sounds rather than headache-inducing squat parties.
For those craving a glorious racket, I Love This! delivers with its shouty, nu-rave adjacent energy, channeling both Sucker and Brat-era Charli XCX. It stands as the perfect antidote to mainstream beige, while What's in My Bag (with lyrics like "underwear in case I stay") retains the crafted musicianship of Playing God but spikes it with something spicier and more frenzied.
This Week's Best New Tracks
Beyond Punchbag, other notable releases include Tara Clerkin Trio's Silently, with gauzy synths and Spanish guitar evoking a dusky shoreline, and Babyfather's Slumpz With Es, featuring Dean Blunt's steady flow over a corroded-symphony beat. Thistle's Pylon offers gorgeous grungegaze, while Katseye's Pinky Up leans into brat-pop party anthems with a lyrical nod to Socrates.
Massive Attack makes a long-awaited return with Boots on the Ground, featuring Tom Waits as a brash warmonger, and Disgusting Sisters' Weirdo Magnet blends Smerz, Charli XCX, and Billie Eilish influences. PPP's Wisco brings steamy, syncopated beats reminiscent of DJ Koze, making summer feel tantalizingly near.
Punchbag's UK tour kicks off on 21 April, promising live performances that capture their electrifying energy. For fans of Charli XCX, Confidence Man, and Klaxons, this duo continues to push boundaries in the electropop scene, offering a raw and unpolished alternative to mainstream trends.
