Fight Like Apes - ...And the Mystery of the Golden Medallion

Ireland’s Fight Like Apes splatter their debut album on an unsuspecting record-buying public this month like Day-Glo paint. Singer Maykay makes like Jemina Pearl with added Celtic sass (and swears) on each of these 12 tracks, while her band spews out kaleidoscopic synth-punk reminiscent of Le Tigre. Recyclable Ass sounds almost like Come On Eileen fed through a computer processor, while, lyrically at least, Digifucker is a 21st-century You Oughta Know, with a nice titular pun thrown in for good measure ("Did you fuck her?/And did you stick things up her?" demands Maykay with comic rage). The Apes' almost cartoonish inability to hold anything back (exemplified by their ridiculous scattershot lyrics, packed with non sequiturs and profanities for their own sake) occasionally distracts from their subtle way with a tune, but makes for an energising listen. This first effort is like a punch in the face: you might not like it, but it’ll certainly knock you for six. [Gillian Watson]