Clara and Anders Bach, the sibling duo known as PUNCHBAG, have officially begun their musical journey by releasing their debut single titled “Fuck It” under the legendary label Mute Records. Despite its short two-minute duration, the song manages to avoid feeling empty thanks to the cohesive collaboration between Clara and Anders’ vocals, along with Anders’ sharp production.
Both siblings shine in their own moments: Clara’s vocals dominate at the right moments, while the upfront musical arrangements take over in the possible parts. The direct lyrics depict a philosophy of living freely without burdens, going through life selfishly, and daring to chase after anything desired.
PUNCHBAG is not a new name in the industry. Before signing with Mute, the duo had already captured attention through their energetic and unpredictable live performances. Their career started to take off after being managed by Made, a renowned music management company from Norway that has expanded its reach to the UK and Latin America. This management support was a stepping stone for PUNCHBAG to achieve a significant milestone: a contract with a major label.
“Fuck It” is a statement song. PUNCHBAG deliberately chose a fierce and unconventional musical approach as a way to make waves in the industry. They describe themselves as someone “elbowing” through the crowd in the mosh pit—a metaphor for their determination to create space and grab attention.
The chaotic style they embrace is not without reason. According to Anders, the song is a reflection of the youthful spirit that desires freedom from expectations. “It’s about having the courage to say ‘just do it’ regardless of what others say,” he stated.
Behind the chaotic facade, the song’s production process was actually very structured. Anders, as the producer, explained that the biggest challenge was to create dynamics between the vocals and instruments, so they wouldn’t overshadow each other. As a result, the song sounds dense yet still has room to breathe. Clara added that collaborating with her brother had its advantages. “We understand each other’s working styles, so the creative process flows more smoothly,” she said.
Signing with Mute Records marks a new chapter for PUNCHBAG. The label that has nurtured musicians like Depeche Mode and Moby is seen as fitting for their vision of bringing a fresh perspective to the music world. “We don’t want to be confined to one genre. Mute gives us the freedom to experiment,” Anders explained. They seize this momentum to prove that “noisy” music can still have depth.
The initial response to “Fuck It” has been quite positive. Critics applaud their daring mix of conventional pop elements with aggressive industrial and electronic touches. Fans have also warmly welcomed the song, especially as it’s seen as representing the spirit of the younger generation tired of the “must be perfect” narrative.
Moving forward, PUNCHBAG plans to release more music and possibly go on a small tour. They are also open to collaborating with other musicians, as long as they are like-minded. “We want to continue making honest and adrenaline-pumping music,” Clara concluded. “Fuck It” is now available on all streaming platforms via Mute Artists. With this step, PUNCHBAG is becoming a phenomenon to watch out for.