Au Pairs made a bold entrance with Playing with a Different Sex, their 1981 debut and a defining document of post-punk. Blending taut rhythms and stark delivery, the band took aim at gender roles, sexual politics, and state violence—most notably addressing the abuse of imprisoned women in Northern Ireland and domestic violence in a haunting cover of David Bowie’s ‘Repetition’.
Described by AllMusic as ‘one of the great post-punk records’ and praised by Record Mirror for its ‘devastating’ critique of possession and stereotyping, the album remains fiercely relevant. It peaked at No. 33 in the UK charts and includes the standout single ‘It’s Obvious’, a US club hit that underlines the group’s uncompromising style and political edge.
Described by AllMusic as ‘one of the great post-punk records’ and praised by Record Mirror for its ‘devastating’ critique of possession and stereotyping, the album remains fiercely relevant. It peaked at No. 33 in the UK charts and includes the standout single ‘It’s Obvious’, a US club hit that underlines the group’s uncompromising style and political edge.
Pickup available at Dreamhouse Records London
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