NPR

First Listen: Shopping, 'The Official Body'

The London post-punk band fortifies its buoyant, life-affirming jams with one of the most revolutionary forces of all: fun.
Shopping's <em>The Official Body</em> comes out Jan. 19.

Today is a challenging time for any band with political undertones, and that goes double for . The London-based dance-punk band found itself making its third album, , under the shadow of both Brexit and Donald Trump. On its previous albums, 2013's and 2015's , the trio of guitarist Rachel Aggs, bassist Billy Easter and drummer Andrew Miller established their jittery, minimalist approach —, the band could have gone either way, either doubling down on political rhetoric or fortifying listeners with buoyant, life-affirming jams. It's clear it chose the latter.

You’re reading a preview, subscribe to read more.

More from NPR

NPR3 min readAmerican Government
A Michigan Grassroots Effort Is Raising Reparations, While The Government Lags
The year 2020 was a turning point for Lansing, Michigan resident Willye Bryan. Between the racial reckoning following the murder of George Floyd and the health disparities that hit the African American community during the pandemic, she knew it was t
NPR4 min read
The Announcement Of A New Prime Minister Divides Haiti's Transitional Council
A surprise announcement that revealed Haiti's new prime minister is threatening to fracture a recently installed transitional council tasked with choosing new leaders for the gang-riddled country.
NPR1 min readFinance & Money Management
Biden Forgives More Than $6 Billion In Loans For 317,000 Art Institutes Students
President Biden announced the relief for attendees of the now-shuttered art schools, saying they "falsified data, knowingly misled students, and cheated borrowers into taking on mountains of debt."

Related Books & Audiobooks