ALBUM REVIEW: Pet Needs – Elbows Out!

Xtra Mile Recordings

Released: 27.03.26

Image by Vanessa Sollner

The world sucks right now, but at least it means we get some decent punk tunes. Pet Needs last put out a record over two years ago – and in the time since, it appears that Colchester’s anti-establishment outfit has been cooking up even more fractured party music for angry folk.

Elbows Out! This is Capitalism is Pet Needs’ fourth full length record, and in some ways it’s a shame to say that they’re still as bitter about the state of humanity as they were during their first foray into the realm of anti-capitalist, anti-consumerist counter culture. But what was previously a lighter smattering of discontent has been transformed over recent years to an all-out tirade against the everything of it all. The anger against the establishment has been upped, the self-depreciation has increased, and Pet Needs have reached new realms of miffed.

From Tour Worn (this album’s answer to Tracey Emin’s Bed, all self-critical and packed with mundane similes about believing you suck just a little bit) to Can We Get This Straight, Elbows Out! This is Capitalism lambasts almost every element of modern life. Fast fashion (a.k.a. Fast fascism), music industry greed, a potential impending third world war: Pet Needs unleash their vitriol for an audience equally disillusioned with current affairs.

But at least professionally, this bunch is doing better than their lyrics might have you believe. Lead single Hey You Hey You (Are You Are You OK OK) has enjoyed a place in the dizzying heights of Kerrang! Radio’s A playlist, with its light punk/heavy existential lyricism proving popular with the corporate alts across the nation.

Hopefully a few new listeners will give Pet Needs a cheeky bit of attention beyond regular rotation on national radio, because this is a band making the kind of music this fractured world needs most right now.