After years of hard graft, Lambrini Girls have finally graced us with their debut record, Who Let The Dogs Out, released on January 10th 2025 via City Slang. It’s been out for just over a week and as expected has been a serious success, shooting to number 3 in the Official Albums Chart and selling out all of their remaining tour dates. It’s a perfectly timed debut - 2024 saw the Brighton-based duo play out the warmer months at huge lineup of festivals, from Bearded Theory to Reading and Leeds, and with every show seemed to grow exponentially in popularity, starting bigger pits and bringing even bigger energy. Their live reputation is formidable: not a single gig passes by without some form of crowd-surfing, equipment-scaling and general high-octane rowdiness, while their no-fucks-given attitude and direct, impactful delivery has put them at the forefront of UK punk. Too loud to ignore, it seems that now everyone is listening and paying attention, kicking off the band’s year with a bang whilst also maximising the impact of their songs, most of which deal with important socio-political issues. It seems 2025 really is going to be Lambrini Girls year - and there is a sneaky feeling that they’re only just getting started.

Who Let The Dogs Out is a whirlwind of single-worthy tracks, expertly blending serious social commentary with tongue-and-cheek banter. Picking apart the modern world bit by bit, Phoebe Lunny (vocals/guitar) and Lilly Macieira (bass) tear through serious political discourse and social issues from police brutality and workplace misogynistic sexual harassment to gentrification and eating disorders, all with sharp accuracy but without taking themselves too seriously.

“You know how Fleetwood Mac almost dedicated Rumours to their cocaine dealer? I think we should dedicate this album to all the booze we bought at Tesco.”

The record was written in two short bursts, resulting in a set of incredibly raw songs that come right from the heart of Lambrini Girls, capturing their essence in a way that is honest and forthright. Opening with the heavy hitting track Bad Apple, they dive right in to dissecting the problematic police system, refusing to dance around the topic and instead cutting right to the quick with lyrics such as ‘protect and serve, point and shoot’ and ‘can we only know post-mortem?’ speaking directly to the fatal nature of police brutality. That’s what sets this band apart from so many others - Lambrini Girls are here to say exactly what needs to be said, and then say it again clearer, just to be sure. For the duo, the track “encapsulates a lot of what might be considered Lambrini Girls energy,” and sets the tone for the rest of the album. “It’s angry, it’s observant, and it’s done in a way that doesn’t trivialise the issue,” Phoebe says. “It’s just a big punch in the face,” Lilly agrees.

Company Culture and Big Dick Energy attack the patriarchal, misogynistic system we live in, taking serious issues but making somewhat sing-along, accessible punk that are fun and danceable whilst also packing a punch. The album is laced with grungey, dirty guitar riffs, with a lot of the melodic foundation coming from Lilly’s basslines: “I think I allowed myself to infuse this album with a lot more of my personal identity and my influences, which are a lot noisier.” Nothing Tastes As Good As It Feels and Special Different are highlights on the record largely for their introspection - the first explores thinspo culture from the perspective of someone who is experiencing disordered eating. The vocal delivery is narrative and rich, and harks of punk powerhouses The Menstrual Cramps and Pussyliquor in the way it conveys such impactful words in a way that is also characterful and entertaining. Special Different tackles Phoebe’s own personal experience of being neurodivergent, opening up in ways not previously seen before in the band’s discography. The outro, Cuntology 101, takes the word ‘cunty’ and repurposes it, remodelling it to be a tool of self-expression and freedom. It’s a fun way to end an truly exceptional first album, tying a hard-hitting and heavy track listing with a vibey, upbeat bow that also sends us off with a valuable message.

Whatever you thought you knew about Lambrini Girls, Who Let The Dogs Out will turn it on it’s head. More than just a fun live band, the duo have solidified themselves as outspoken political punks but also artful songwriters who are able to use the vehicle of catchy punk to educate, and hopefully mobilise, their listeners into action against oppression in all forms. Proving themselves as worthy of high accolades in the music industry, they also have maintained the importance of not taking themselves too seriously, making this debut humble and honest as much as it is full of rage and power. Lambrini Girls are going to be on your radar one hell of a lot this year, and they’re taking no prisoners.

Lambrini Girls - Who Let The Dogs Out