Arre! Arre!

Employing an infectious amalgamation of fiery feminist surf punk and riot grrrl-inflected garage rock, Sweden’s Arre! Arre! emerged in 2015 with the blistering, pop-punk-forward A.T.T.A.C.K. The Malmo-based quartet’s subversive lyrics concerning issues like body image, gender identity, and anti-authoritarianism helped establish them as socio-political firebrands, and their kinetic, no holds-barred sound attracted a fervent fan base. Their 2019 sophomore effort, Tell Me All About Them, took home the trophy for Rock Album of the Year at the Swedish P3 Guld Awards. They followed up on the success of the LP in 2020 with the sex-themed EP Heavy Breathing, which featured the spicy lead single “Me & My Fat Ass Friends,” and in 2021 the band inked a deal with PNKSLM Recordings and started work on their third long-player. The resulting We Ride the Universe, released in 2022, draws from a wide array of sounds and styles, adding ABBA-esque harmonies, driving post-punk, retro-pop balladry, biker-punk, and grungy, hip-shaking R&B to their increasingly distinctive oeuvre. ~ James Christopher Monger