South London sibling duo PUNCHBAG (Clara and Anders Bach) return today with exhilarating new single ‘I Love This!‘, out now on Mute. The track follows their acclaimed debut EP I’m Not Your Punchbag (released in May), and lands ahead of key festival slots at Reeperbahn and Iceland Airwaves later this year.
A wide-eyed surge of feeling, ‘I Love This!’ captures what PUNCHBAG describe as “the extreme sport of everyday life” – celebrating the dizzying highs and dragging lows, and refusing to separate one from the other.
Written in Berlin at 3am in a burst of chaotic energy, Clara’s brain-rush lyrics (“fleas, drugstores, tea leaves, dopamine dreams”) spiral over Anders’ maximalist production, teetering on the edge of collapse. There’s a playfulness running through it too – a wink behind the chaos signalling that not everything here is meant to be taken too seriously, even when it’s hitting something painfully real.
“I guess you could see this song as an anti-depression anthem! You can hear the highest highs and the lowest lows – almost like it’s soundtracking the extreme sport of everyday life. Because sometimes it really is an extreme sport, so the highs should be celebrated. Getting through a shit phase should be danced about! With synths, a dance tempo, and something to shout! All that positive stuff.” – Clara says.
With each release, PUNCHBAG are pushing themselves further – making the weird parts weirder, the pop moments pop harder, the loud bits louder and the quiet ones quieter – all part of their mission to distil the most intense, concentrated version of who they are as artists.
That intensity spills into their live shows, where the duo’s chemistry and unfiltered energy have earned a reputation for setting every room alight. PUNCHBAG deliver a visceral, communal thrill – a celebration of feeling too much, all at once.
Clocking in at just under 15 minutes, PUNCHBAG’s debut EP I’m Not Your Punchbag was a breathless introduction. Veering between chaos and clarity where sweetness clashed with distortion, every track felt like a full-body jolt. The EP saw the band receive early tastemaker press: NME (Radar Interview), Dork (HYPE Cover + ★★★★ review), CLASH (Next Wave), Wonderland (New Noise), DIY (★★★★ review), plus further tips from PAPER Mag, The Line of Best Fit, Stereogum, Brooklyn Vegan, Popjustice and many more.
In May, PUNCHBAG were named a Spotify RADAR: First Listen artist and then sold out their debut headline show at Bermondsey Social Club, following festival slots at The Great Escape, Bergenfest, Ritual Union & more as well as a live performance on Made In Chelsea.
PUNCHBAG‘s new single ‘I Love This!’ is out now on Mute. PUNCHBAG play Reeperbahn, Iceland Airwaves and more festivals over the coming months. Follow PUNCHBAG on Instagram for news of more live shows in the coming months.
- LIVE DATES (info / tickets)
- 15 Aug – Trondheim (NO), Pstereo Festival
- 29 Aug – Tromsø (NO), Rakettnatt Festival
- 18-20 Sep – Hamburg (DE), Reeperbahn Festival
- 8 Nov – Kópavogur (IS), Iceland Airwaves
