Since Bureau de Change’s debut EP Are You Flirting With Me arrived at Joyzine we have been overly excited by the power and politics of their music. As writer Hayley Foster da Silva said, ‘It was the moment I heard the singer belt out, “James Bond is a fucking prick!” that I knew I had to give their debut EP a proper review.’
The new single ‘Dumb Men’ is no less coruscating in its subject matter, with singer Flora saying it’s “an anthem surrounding the issues of Catcalling, toxic masculinity and rape culture. ‘Dumb Men’ viciously mocks and pokes at the words that people use to excuse men’s behaviour towards women. Written from personal experience, men have often told me to be quiet, less outspoken, and put up with the actions of those around them. This anthem is about taking back autonomy, making those words obsolete, and shouting back into the faces of those who use them.”
The ferocity of the vocals is easily matched by the tidal wave of chaotic power from guitar, bass and drums. It’s a magnificent seething atonal maelstrom with no discernible root chords which serves as a perfect backdrop to the weapons-grade vitriol of the vocal delivery. Swearing in music is not always big or clever but in ‘Dumb Men’ it’s massive and PhD smart and used for maximum effect, especially when Flora screams “why don’t you just get fucked?”.
Bureau de Change’s anger is righteous, and with every release and every gig I’m have no doubt they will gain legions of fans. 2025 is theirs for the taking.
LIVE: They’re supporting City Dog at the Exchange in Bristol on Tuesday 18 March and Knives at The Thekla in Bristol on Saturday 10 May.
‘Dumb Men’ is the first single taken from their next EP, date TBC.
Bureau de Change Socials: Bandcamp | Instagram | YouTube
Review by Paul F Cook
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