Petrol Girls - Baby

Label: Hassle Records Released: 24th June 2022

Petrol Girls have never been a band to back down from the stuff they care about. Important stuff. Stuff that needs saying. But new album ‘Baby’ is different. With a new edge, there’s no sense of sanctimonious preaching - more an injection of flat out fun, albeit one with an eye fixed firmly on the prize.

From call out of call-out-culture ‘Preachers’ to the pro-choice rattle and thump of ‘Baby, I Had An Abortion’, it suits them well. Ren Aldridge sounds more engaged and alive than ever before, out for a good time while never losing the core of what the band represents. Obvious highlight ‘Fight For Our Lives’ stands out, though. A manifesto of rattling, primal anger, verses from Janey Starling, co-director of feminist organisation Level Up and former Dream Nails lead vocalist, cut through like righteous razor blades.

Essential in a way so much music really isn’t, the message matters. ‘Baby’ delivers it perfectly. ■ Dan Harrison