REVIEW: "Who Let the Dogs Out" by Lambrini Girls via City Slang

Brighton punk duo Lambrini Girls have released their debut full-length. The band has been putting out music since late 2022, and, aside from this record, only have an EP and double single to their name. I got into Lambrini with 2023's You're Welcome, which I appreciated for its spunk and sarcasm but also undeniable spirit. With a debut record I was sort of expecting more of the same but have been pleased to see the band has kept a level amount of boundaries pushed at the top of this year.

Punk front men are often weighed by their message over their performances, in Lambrini Girls case their front woman is pretty good at both. Phoebe (Lunny, guitar and vocals) demonstrates swift, yet even, vocal melodies with a lot of focus.  On tracks like "Bad Apple" the message is targeted but it also uses space as a key element of delivery. "You're Not from Around Here" uses the definition of gentrification as lyrics to a bridge, which, while sort of an obvious lift musically, really emphasizes the themes

Beyond the activism this is also a really good band at their core. "Company Culture" was a great single and hearing it in context with its longer nu-metal like sections makes it all the more immersive. "You're Not from Around Here" mixes aughts-emo with purer punk and a dash of those nu-sections to make maybe the best blend here. "Special Different" feels like a genre classic deep cut off the bridge alone.

If I were to find any flaw in Who Let the Dogs Out it would be the difference between dedication and beating a joke past the point. "Big Dick Energy" is a cool song but suffers from a lack of subtly. Calling out pick-me male writers is something I want to see more artists be bold enough to do but when the very next line is "I'm not going to fuck you" I feel like it's over explaining. On tracks like "No Homo" where the persistence is the point it works, but it doesn't always.

Community wise, it feels like this band is getting treated as the friend whose too woke and I see how you could quickly get this read in bad faith. I believe this band has their heart in the right place and have written a really great album to make it with. Sure, there are some pretty derivative sections and some over the top attempts at snark. It's also a competent driven group musically with messages I really want to uplift.

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