Cardiff’s Panic Shack aren’t here to save punk – they’re here to make it fun again. Formed in 2018 by Sarah Harvey, Meg Fretwell, Romi Lawrence, Em Smith, and Nick Williams, the band started with no gear, no training, and no interest in gatekeeping. “Boys make it look so hard,” Em once said. “You’re making this look unattainable – and it’s so fucking easy.” That “fuck it, we’re doing it anyway” spirit is the backbone of their long-awaited debut.

Cardiff’s scene knew early on. With barely any music online, the band built a following through their riotous, choreographed live shows – a sweaty mix of LA punk and girl gang theatrics. They became instantly recognisable, not just for the banter and bratty stage presence, but for Sarah belting it out in a latex top like she’s leading the revolution at a hen do. Their Baby Shack EP sold out instantly; since then, they’ve been tearing up stages across the UK, from Glastonbury to Green Man and beyond. Now, with producer Ali Chant (PJ Harvey, Yard Act) on board, Panic Shack lands like a burst bottle of Prosecco – fizzy, chaotic, and impossible not to enjoy.

The opener Girl Band Starter Pack sets the tone: a mid-paced bass bop with a sticky chorus and sharp delivery. It’s all iced lattes, rollies, and spontaneous nights out. Gok Wan follows with rapid-fire vocals and classic punk attitude, mocking tabloid body shaming with real magazine headlines. Lazy leans into electronic territory, with a bit of drum’n’bass influence and the brilliant refrain: “I’m lazy and I like it!” One of the album’s best.

Old-skool heads will love Tit School – catchy as hell with a proper pogo beat and smart, funny lyrics. We Need To Talk About Dennis dials things back into a more electronic, spoken-word style – not the most exciting track here, but it keeps the variety going. Do Something kicks back in hard, opening with what sounds like a band voicemail before ripping into one of the more aggressive cuts. Fast, loud, great stuff.

Personal Best swerves into britpop territory and pulls it off – confident, melodic, and hooky. Pockets returns to a chattier punk style, with shouty vocals and brilliant detail. Unhinged is one of the heavier moments – the guitars hit harder here, and the whole track has bite. SMELLARAT shifts towards a guitar-driven indie pop sound, strangely reminiscent of Arctic Monkeys or even Queens of the Stone Age at times – not silly, just unexpected. A real grower.

Thelma & Louise closes things out with pace and melody – a fast, catchy ode to friendship, and a perfect ending. No romance here – just five mates, one band, and a promise to stick together.

Overall, it’s poppy rock music with a punk and rap edge. The lyrics are honest, cheeky, and direct. The themes – friendship, body image, lazy days, shitty dates, no pockets – are all bang on. And the production? Clean, punchy, and full of character. Panic Shack knows how to laugh, but they’re sharp as nails, too.

If you’ve not caught them live yet, do it. They’re doing the rounds and they’re only getting bigger. One of the most entertaining and straight-up likeable debut albums of the year.

Releasedate: 18-07-2025 | Label: Brace Yourself Records | Instagram

Tracklist:
01. Girl Band Starter Pack
02. Tit School
03. Lazy
04. Pockets
05. Gok Wan
06. Unhinged
07. Do Something
08. Personal Best
09. We Need To Talk About Dennis
10. SMELLARAT
11. Thelma & Louise