Built from friends of friends and forum adverts, London/Glasgow four-piece Boxing Club have released their debut EP, What’s the State Done to You?, a sharp, politically charged post-punk statement that examines cycles of damage and the roles parents, friendships, and institutions play in shaping a young life.
The four-track project opens with “Barbra,” an immediate and energetic introduction that sets the tone for what follows. It’s catchy, playful, and intriguing—grabbing you by the collar from the first note.
“Father and State” crashes in next with a driving new wave pulse that nods to bands like The Smiths and The Cure at their most brooding and melodic.
Lyrically, it cuts close to the bone, posing direct questions about family, upbringing, and what it means to come of age in a hostile environment. Swelling guitars keep the track grounded, while a stripped-back drum pattern underscores the stark reality at the heart of the song.
A more stripped-back “City Boy” pulses forward, giving the vocals room to dominate the first verse. The restraint works in its favor, allowing the frontman’s delivery to feel exposed and deliberate. While the chorus swells with intention, it struggles slightly to compete with the sheer force of the EP’s opening two tracks.
“Kennishead Avenue” brings What’s the State Done to You? to a close in a similar speak-sung style to “Barbra.” It’s theatrical and story-driven, the kind of performance built to soar in a live setting. The blend of spoken word and melody adds tension, pulling the listener deeper into its narrative.
There’s a lingering sense of nostalgia woven through the track, even if you’ve never lived the exact circumstances detailed in the lyrics.
Lines like, “Everyone looks back with happy memories / Nobody can see the damage in me / I was next in line at Kennishead Avenue / I was heir to the throne at Kennishead Avenue,” are delivered fully sung, cutting through the haze with clarity and conviction.
On the meaning behind the EP, the band says, “The EP looks at inherited damage — fathers, mothers, systems, and the state — and how those forces shape a person before they’ve had any say in it. It’s about cycles of chaos and whether you repeat them or break them.”
All in all, What’s the State Done to You? offers a compelling introduction to Boxing Club’s cohesive sonic identity. The EP positions the band firmly within the post-punk and new wave revival space, while still carving out a lane that feels distinctly their own.
