W: Peter James May I: Sophie Webster
South London’s premier "aggressive hardcore" siblings, PUNCHBAG, have officially leveled up. Clara and Anders Bach have unleashed their second EP, I Am Obsessed—a high-contrast, hyper-saturated evolution of their sound that proves why they are currently one of the capital’s most vital emerging acts. The release sets the stage for the duo’s first-ever UK headline tour later this month, ending with a high-octane homecoming at London’s The Lexington on May 9th.
Where their debut was a snapshot, I Am Obsessed is a forensic deep-dive into the clutter of modern existence. The duo describes the project as "turning up the contrast on everyday life" and dramatizing the small stuff until it’s impossible to ignore. According to the band, if their first EP was a selfie, these new songs are like zooming in until the pores look huge—it is about rinsing the "disgusting dish towel" of life until all the gunk comes out.
Across five tracks, PUNCHBAG bridges the gap between polished pop hooks and unhinged distortion. Driven by Anders’ pounding percussion and snarling guitars, Clara’s vocals cut through a landscape of soaring synths. The track list moves from the overstimulated clutter of 'What’s In My Bag' and the anxiety-ridden 'Pile Of Clothes' to the cathartic title track, which captures obsession not as a romance, but as something invasive and all-consuming.
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PUNCHBAG’s mission is to distill the most intense, concentrated version of who they are as artists. This intensity spills directly into their live shows, where the siblings’ unfiltered energy and chemistry have earned them a reputation for turning rooms into something closer to group therapy than a standard gig. With the tour kicking off shortly, the rest of the UK is about to find out why this duo is becoming a beautiful, distorted obsession for so many.
Live Dates
April 21 Leeds Oporto
April 22 Glasgow Nice N Sleazy
April 23 Manchester YES Basement
April 24 Cardiff Clwb Ifor Bach
April 26 Bristol Louisiana
May 9 London The Lexington