One of the things that puts the ‘joy’ in Joyzine is that moment when your ears chance upon a band that stops you in your tracks; the musical ‘Eureka!’ moment. So it was with Bureau De Change and their debut EP Are You Flirting With Me? In her review Hayley Foster da Silva called the EP ‘an unapologetic, in-your-face punk barrage from start to finish…confrontational anger aimed squarely at the patriarchy‘.
This is a bold and outrageously confident debut; an all-out assault on the senses. An EP of four atonal anthems that combine blistering musicianship, pulpit polemic, time signature jumping, and righteous fury. We hope, and predict, big things for BdC so asked them to give Joyzine readers an insight to the songs on the EP with a track by track breakdown. Flora from the band obliged.
“Hello, I’m Flora, from Bureau De Change writing a brief summary of all the tracks off our debut EP Are You Flirting with Me? I’ll start by giving you some context about Bureau De Change. Originally, I met the boys (Connor, Louis, and Will) when they were in their previous band and I had a local slot on SWU, which must have been around 2020/2021, then we spent a couple of years on the periphery of each other’s lives, in our projects and playing together occasionally. Until 2023 when I received a dm from Connor, with a google drive of these four tracks and a message saying “See how you go, and let’s get in a practice room”.
This EP, truly, was the biggest piece of catharsis for me, to deal with some incredibly hard experiences in my personal life, it also, was the first bit of music I had written after about 8 months of writer’s block. Are you Flirting with me? is a reflection of my anger, my bitterness, my contempt, and my sense of humour. In a world where violence against women is becoming ever more prevalent and our rights are further stripped, this EP is still something I find solace in to describe my turmoil. I’m sure many other people will find solace in it too, in a world growing scarier by the day, why not scream “Suck my Dick” at the top of your lungs?“
Track By Track
Shortcut to Destruction
A situationship gone wrong, ‘Shortcut to Destruction’ lyrically indulgences itself to symbolise the male dominance of casual relationships. The injection of sexual language paired with somewhat desperate emotions, embraces the feeling of confusion that becomes intoxicating within these fragile relationships. One wants and the other doesn’t, these conflicting lines show the adverse tensions of modern dating.
Shaken, Not Stirred
James Bond has been the symbol of toxic masculinity from the original books through to the films. To topple the patriarchy, you need to cut off the head, through figures like James Bond, who stand for every archaism. He’s a prick. Enough said.
‘arry Goes Down the Pub
‘arry…’ is a reflection of the seedy underbelly that breeds the far right and an exploration of the rise of male loneliness. In the world, currently, there is a scary rise of the far right amongst men which is coming from this idea of male loneliness, men feel unheard and as if society is now ganging up on them due to the call for inclusivity for all. Male mental health is often discussed and dealt with alongside a pint. These topics all seem to have one place in common, the traditional English pub, where these thoughts and feelings meander within the walls.
The Potter’s Wheel
This is a deeply personal reflection of sexual assault and men have molded women to be malleable to their abuse. ‘The Potter’s Wheel’ is about taking back space, taking back autonomy, and taking back pride. “The maker hates the piece that he made” is reflective of how men hate who women have become, hate us speaking up, and that we don’t fit the mold that they have created for us. “
Bureau De Change are in the process of recording their second EP and you can follow them on Instagram
Introduction by Paul F Cook
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