Lambrini Girls - Who Let the Dogs Out
Punk – Released January 10, 2025 – 11 songs, 29 mins
ROZ
It’s been too long of a time. TSR hasn’t written a review since we dug into Tyler’s October album, and to those who think that music writing is much like riding a bike – it is not. Nevertheless, much like I warm my car up before getting inside it during these cold winter months, I attempt to activate my idle brain and fire myself up for the upcoming (and hopefully fruitful) musical journey across 2025.
Now, what better way to fire one’s mind up than with some hard hitting, high octane punk music? Honestly, this may be the antidote to my writers paralysis. This week’s duo has no shortage of these traits, as TSR picks for its first review of 2025 the English punk rock group Lambrini Girls and their debut album Who Let the Dogs Out. No, this is not the 2001 Grammy winning song by the Baha Men. In fact, sonically, it may as well be from a completely different galaxy. The name however does carry significance in its selection – while its breakthrough success undoubtedly came through its catchiness and use in film, the actual message of the song was a critique against men who harass women on the street. While the 2000's-me basked in my own youthful ignorance, the current me can recognize the sad fact that the issues facing women today have not changed much from days past. A sad reality that evokes frustration, anger, and fits as the perfect name for this debut studio effort by Lambrini.
From opening track Bad Apple all the way to closing song Cuntology 101 (what a name), you are met with the same energy every single time – ravenous, throat tearing, skull splitting intensity. Think SOFT PLAY cheekiness combined with IDLES-like tonalities that is then doused with give-no-fucks, hardline feminist imagery and messaging. Through the swarm of listens I gave Who Let the Dogs Out, one key takeaway I had was the utter directness of each song’s message. They do not mince their words nor do they shroud themselves in mystery. A variety of current world topics are covered – police violence, workplace harassment, body dysmorphia, nepotism, gentrification, toxic relationships – pretty much everything that makes a person reflect on how far down into the gutter society has really gone (and continues to go). It’s noisy, harsh, and absolutely filled with brim with both disdain and a general apathetic dread. The album’s overall sound is very much a product of how Lambrini Girls’ perceive the world – and you know what that makes? A very sincere, very genuine body of work.
Unfortunately, it is their unwavering adherence to the punk template that becomes the album's downfall. Who Let the Dogs Out checks all the genre-specific boxes and, by all accounts, Lambrini Girls put on an excellent live show as well. In today’s hyper-saturated market, however, a unique edge is required in order to truly claw one’s way out of the massive pit that is this industry. I absolutely do believe that this duo has the right concoction of talent and emotion to make that leap to the next level of the game. A petition for change, a call to action, or perhaps just a scream into the abyss? Whichever it is, the Lambrini Girls certainly makes their presence known.
Overall Rating: 7.9/10
Favourite Song: Nothing Tastes as Good as It Feels
REID
Too Sweet Reviews returns as 2025 music releases begin to ramp up. Boy I tell ya – it’s going to be an uphill battle to top 2024 as it was without question the best year since we started. Forecasting a year’s quality is next to impossible. You can search the internet and get excited for new projects from your favourite artists. Maybe big names like The Weeknd, Lady Gaga, Lana Del Ray or The Lumineers interest you. For TSR we’re excited to see how Japanese Breakfest, Blondshell, Lucy Dacus and bdrmm follow up their most recent work. The biggest unknowns are the new artists and those on the rise. Neither of us at TSR previously knew the four I noted until they pleasantly surprised us. Five of my top ten 2024 albums were from artists I had not heard before. And therein lies the beauty; the unpredictability. Which brings us to our first review of 2025, the first studio album by English punk rock duo, Lambrini Girls, Who Let The Dogs Out.
Everything about this record hits hard. Guitar. Bass. Drums. Vocals. Topics. They all pack a punch, in true punk rock fashion. Phoebe Lunny (lead vocals, guitar) and Lilly Macieira (bass guitar) make up the band with Jack Looker joining them on drums for this record. Lunny is the straw that stirs the drink performatively. Her electric vocal delivery with her thick British accent gives the group a standout original quality, something they otherwise lack. Not to take anything away from their raucous style and individual talent but there’s plenty of that available in the genre.
Who Let The Dogs Out is a rally cry for reform. Each song on the tracklist is loaded with meaning, delving into longstanding issues to specific demographics. Lunny’s tongue in cheek lyrics add flare juxtaposing serious topics with humour. Company Culture is about misogyny in the workplace and Lunny sarcastically sings ‘when will I learn that men just do it better?’. On Filthy Rich Nepo Babies, she rants about talentless children of the rich attempting to break into the music scene and jokes ‘I heard Rod Stewart’s nephew, best friend twice removed was the next big thing’. It’s not all funny though like on Bad Apple, a song on police brutality, she questions ‘officer what is the problem, can we only know post-mordem?’. The most effective route is a combination of both, like on Nothing Tastes As Good As It Feels, she sings ‘Kate Moss gives no fucks that my period has stopped. Wish I was skinny but I’ll never be enough’ on a song about eating disorders. Other notable heavy topics include toxic masculinity (Big Dick Energy), homophobia (No Homo) and gentrification (You’re Not From Around Here). These girls have a lot to get off their chest and I respect them for doing so.
Lambrini Girls combine hard hitting, fast paced punk rock with a mix of unapologetically direct or sarcastic lyricism to ignite their angst on major societal and institutional issues.
Overall Rating: 7.5/10
Favourite Song: Nothing Tastes As Good As It Feels
LUNDI
The boys are back in town. If that town is a website and social media page. Population of 3. Largest consumption of fire ball per capita. A feisty liquor with its delicious cinnamon taste that quickly turns sour. Sort of like the transition from first to final listen of Lambrini Girls Who Let The Dogs Out. I’m a sucker for pain so I always go back, but I’m not advising anyone else to follow my lead. Welcome to TSR 2025. Not the hottest of starts but may it be the best year yet.
In their short stint as a known entity Lambrini Girls have cemented themselves as an abrasive duo that fears no subject, no hierarchy, and certainly no man. Their debut album touches on abusive workplaces, toxic masculinity, nepotism, homophobia, and gentrification, likely nullifying anything me the straight male has to say about it, but if you feel the endless issues that plague female and queer communities daily is overblown, you’re simply choosing to look away. In the best way possible this album is true to the origins of punk music as they ferociously take zero prisoners with their sharp barbs and pointed lyrics. It’s as on the nose as any lyricism can be and for better or worse, the first listen to this album is unlike anything else I’ve encountered in TSR’s five years. Kudos girls, this is as bold of a statement as I’ve ever heard in album form.
But alas this isn’t a blog about the message it’s a blog about the music. The band forego any semblance of varied artful expressions, opting for a sweaty rage fuelled 30 minutes of mayhem. It’s extremely spirited but even a few tonal shifts or instrumental change ups would have done this effort wonders. I can’t do any magic, but it’s a bit of a one trick pony. In the beginning you want to heap praise on the guitar bass duo of Lilly and Phoebe for constructing songs peppered with engaging unique lyricism and slick punk rock riffs but after eleven fairly indifferent tracks instrumentally and vocally the listener is left a little unsure.
And therein lies the problem. Who exactly will want to regularly listen to this album? If you’re against their views you sure as hell aren’t giving it time of day and if you’re for their views you get bashed over the head repeatedly with on the nose societal criticisms. Longevity is everything to an album and Lambrini Girls left me feeling scolded despite inherently agreeing with and supporting change in every problem uttered. Perhaps it’s a sign I’m not doing enough as Who Let The Dogs Out is an album that absolutely deserves and needs to be made in the year 2025. It’s A+ for its intent and message but its flawed musical vision begs for more substance and range of sonics. This punk effort takes direct shot at the man but forgets to consider the musical pallet of the listener.
Who Let The Dogs Out is a brash unapologetic punk rock debut from Lambrini Girls. While its spirted critique of society may send shivers down spines due to its relatability, the musical concepts are just too one dimensional for this album to last. The skillset is certainly there and album execution can be fixed so despite its flaws the arrow is certainly pointing upwards for the British duo.
Overall Rating: 6.8/10
Favourite Song: Company Culture