It was the moment I heard the singer belt out, “James Bond is a fucking prick!” that I knew I had to give Bureau de Change‘s debut EP a proper review. The line struck a chord with me immediately—after all, I couldn’t agree more. James Bond has long been one of the most sexist characters in popular culture, and calling him out felt long overdue.
But, I digress. The EP, titled “Are You Flirting With Me?”, is as far from shy and retiring as you might expect from that opening line on one of the songs. This is an unapologetic, in-your-face punk barrage from start to finish, with sexism being the prime target. The track that contains the aforementioned line, “Shaken Not Stirred,” rips into the gender disparity epitomized by the James Bond archetype. It viciously deconstructs how Bond is upheld as a role model for men—”shoot all the boys and fuck all the girls”—and how that toxic ideal leaves women feeling unsafe while men are praised for embodying this predatory stereotype. The venom and rage coursing through this track is palpable, laying bare the unsettling realities that women continue to face.
Another standout track, “Arry Goes to the Pub,” is a no-nonsense, shouty anthem that chronicles the story of a man who grows up to become a Tory supporter, and another product of toxic masculinity. The song showcases the band’s blend of fast, hard-hitting punk with a searing metal edge, particularly toward the end, where thrashing guitars explode in a wild crescendo.
Then there’s “The Potters Wheel,” a frenetic, heavy-guitar-driven track featuring snarling vocals from Flora, the band’s frontwoman. The song, like the others, doesn’t hold back on delivering a blistering critique of societal norms.
This EP is not for the faint-hearted. It’s brimming with righteous, confrontational anger aimed squarely at the patriarchy, and Bureau de Change seem determined to dismantle these toxic ideals, brick by brick. “Are You Flirting With Me?” is a bold first statement from a band that is clearly out to make a difference—and it’s already making a sizable dent in the walls of convention.
‘Are You Flirting With Me?” is out now and is available on all streaming platforms
Bureau De Change socials: Instagram
Review by Hayley Foster da Silva
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