Panic Shack’s Debut Album Review: A Riotous Punk Party That’ll Leave You Hyped!

16 July 2025 rocknews

Strap in, because Cardiff’s all-girl punk tornado, Panic Shack, drop their self-titled debut album on July 18th via Brace Yourself Records, and it’s an absolute banger that’s tearing up the UK scene like a glitter-bombed hurricane! This isn’t just an album—it’s a full-on, unapologetic celebration of chaos, friendship, and middle-fingers to the establishment, delivered with the kind of energy that makes you want to slam-dance in your living room. Think The Runaways meets Amyl and the Sniffers with a Welsh swagger and a side of choreographed mayhem. Let’s dive into why this record is the punk party of 2025 you need to crash.

The Vibe: Party-Punk Meets Pop-Punk Perfection

From the moment you hit play on Panic Shack, you’re sucked into a world of infectious hooks, snotty attitude, and lyrics that hit like a vodka shot at 2 a.m. The lead single, Girl Band Starter Pack, is the ultimate punk anthem, described as the party-punk equivalent of the Spice Girls’ Wannabe—and trust me, that’s no exaggeration. It’s a rollicking, chant-along bop that captures the band’s ethos: hyped-up, carefree, and ready to take over the world one iced latte and double vodka at a time. There’s an accompanying video, featuring Welsh drag queens Jolene Dover, Lasagne Sheets, Cici, and Bopa Rhys as the band, is a riotous love letter to Cardiff’s nightlife, dripping with glitter, grit, and pure chaos.

The album doesn’t stop there. Tracks like Gok Wan shred toxic tabloid culture to bits, while Unhinged—built from real Hinge profile quotes—throws shade at dating app clichés with a trumpet solo that’s so gloriously out-of-left-field it deserves its own parade. Then there’s Tit School, a razor-sharp clapback at TikTok trolls accusing the band of “working-class cosplay” after their viral hit The Ick. And don’t sleep on Thelma & Louise, the album’s closer and only love song, a heart-pounding ode to ride-or-die friendships that’ll have you screaming along with your best mates. Check out its road-trip-fueled video.

The Sound: A Sonic Glow-Up

Produced by the legendary Ali Chant (PJ Harvey, Yard Act), Panic Shack is a massive leap from their 2022 Baby Shack EP. The band—Sarah Harvey (vocals), Meg Fretwell (guitar/backing vocals), Romi Lawrence (guitar/backing vocals), Em Smith (bass), and Nick Doherty-Williams (drums)—cranks their gritty punk roots to 11, weaving in lush harmonies, synths, electronics, and, yes, that bonkers trumpet. It’s raw yet polished, chaotic yet cohesive, like a night out that somehow ends with you nailing a perfect karaoke performance. The album’s 11 tracks are stuffed with easter eggs and surprises, making every listen feel like peeling back layers of a punk rock piñata.

The Buzz: Everyone’s Obsessed

The hype is real. Panic Shack has been showered with love from NME, Kerrang!, DIY, Dork, Rolling Stone UK, and more, with BBC 6 Music’s Huw Stephens, Lauren Laverne, and Craig Charles spinning tracks like Girl Band Starter Pack and Gok Wan on repeat (it’s B-listed, baby!). The band’s sold-out Don’t Quit Your Day Job tour in May was a sweaty, joyous triumph, and their upcoming autumn UK and European tour—including massive shows at London’s Electric Brixton and Cardiff’s Tramshed—promises to be even wilder. Oh, and their Dinked Edition vinyl (complete with a zine, beer mats, and tattoos) sold out in hours, so you know the fans are feral for this.

Read the Rock News live music review of Panic Shack’s Nottingham gig HERE!

Rock News Verdict: 10/10

We’re throwing our full weight behind Panic Shack—this is a 10/10 debut that’s as explosive as it is essential. This isn’t just an album; it’s a manifesto, a middle finger, and a mate all rolled into one. Get ready to smash that play button on Friday, July 18th, and stream this masterpiece the second it drops. And trust us—secure your tickets to one of their shows now, because once this album is in the wild, those gigs are gonna be harder to snag than a front-row spot at Glastonbury. Panic Shack aren’t just a band—they’re a revolution. Join the gang, crank it up, and get ready to scream: Woooo, shack shack!