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It doesn’t take a genius to work out, even before a note of music has been heard, that this isn’t going to be a subtle, multi-layered release that will only reveal itself over repeated listens. TWAT UNION are a punk outfit from London that formed when a long-standing joke between six women that shared a living space saw an astonishing creative patch of ten songs written in three months to headline a comedy event. Their following has only grown, with The Guardian touting them as part of their ongoing ‘Ones to Watch’ series in February and a record deal with Alcopop! Records struck not that long ago, and this Friday sees the release of their debut EP, the wonderfully titled Don’t Look It In The Eye.
Unabashed and unashamed, Don’t Look It In The Eye begins with Little Pink Drill, brimming with sexual innuendo and a wicked sense of humour – it’s also potentially the first ever song in recorded history to feature a guitar solo played with a vibrator, so it’s got that going for it as well. At the other end of the release is debut single UTI, which is exactly what you think it’s about and is extremely funny – ‘I thought that you were smitten/now you’re trying to kill my kitten/Burning like an oven mitten/Now I’m on repeat prescription‘ is in contention for the best penned words of 2025 and we’re not even a third of the way into the year.
But whilst TWAT UNION firmly have their collective tongues in cheeks throughout this five-track, fifteen minute release, they’re also not afraid to touch on some pretty serious subjects. Singer in the Band discusses the misogyny that still exists within the music industry towards female musicians and Danger Boob is both a rallying cry towards body positivity and a lampooning of those wanting to control another person’s narrative. Meanwhile, Red Flag explores the rollercoaster world of dating, the chorus line ‘We all hate red flags/But I still want you to like me‘ a profound and cutting statement that will resonate with many before ending with a lyrical twist that will leave people, as in the sense of Ru Paul’s Drag Race, ‘gagging’ as they digest what has just been said.
There will be people out there who will balk at Don’t Look It In The Eye‘s brash nature and unwillingness to compromise, but then it was never made for them in the first place; if anything, TWAT UNION will be delighted at the notion they would cause those similar in personality to a parish vicar to faint within moment. However, for anyone who enjoys bands like LAMBRINI GIRLS, AMYL AND THE SNIFFERS and DITZ or the musings of British actor and national treasure Miriam Margolyes, there’s a good amount to enjoy here.
Rating: 8/10
Don’t Look It In the Eye is out now via Alcopop! Records.
Like TWAT UNION on Facebook.
The post EP REVIEW: Don’t Look It In The Eye – Twat Union appeared first on Distorted Sound Magazine.
