LOOSE LIPS: Last Laugh [Album Review]

LOOSE LIPS
Last Laugh
DIG! Records [2025]

“Last Laugh is raw joy: buzzing riffs, vintage cool, and punk energy that refuses to sit still.”

Album Overview: LOOSE LIPS came together in Melbourne, Australia, already stacked with résumés in the punk and garage scene. Josh Hardy had sharpened his chops in The Chats and The Unknowns, Ethan Stahl came in from Chubby and the Gang, The Prize, and Street Sweeper, while Nadine Muller also played in The Prize. The trio formed fast, dropped a four-song 7″ on FOLC Records last year, and set the stage for their full-length debut. Last Laugh is that debut—a DIY statement that expands on their EP while folding in a shared love for 60s pop and raw punk fire. Ten songs in twenty-five minutes, the record is a raucous, affectionate salute to rock ’n’ roll. It’s raw, joyful, and unpretentious—capturing the indie spirit of three friends turning shared influences into something current and alive.

Musical Style: The album fuses punk’s bite with the melody of 60s girl groups and the swagger of glam-punk, packing shout-along choruses around every corner. Sharp guitars, relentless rhythms, and vocals that hook without sanding down the edges. It’s pogo energy with just enough stomp and swing to make every track stick.

Evolution of Sound: They may be early in their catalog, but Last Laugh already shows LOOSE LIPS know how to reshape vintage sounds into something modern. Compared to their rawer EP, this album proves they can balance grit with melody—layering harmonies, cranking riffs, and feeding off group chemistry for a sound that’s classic and fresh all at once.

Artists with Similar Fire: Think Blondie, New York Dolls, and Eddie and the Hot Rods colliding with the harmonies of The Ronettes and the Shangri-Las. Add in the punk-pop punch of Exploding Hearts and Gentleman Jesse, plus current peers like CLASS and Sheer Mag. There’s even a mod-retro flair that recalls Sharp Pins and Paul Orwell—tying them to a lineage of bands who modernize vintage cool without losing teeth.

Pivotal Tracks: “Too Late To Call” kicks the door open with grit, background harmonies, and a quick guitar flash that sets the tone. The super catchy “Don’t Mess Me ’Round” is the record’s centerpiece, splicing punk bite with undeniable pop hooks. “Good By Johnny” is a live-wire foot-stomper built for sweaty shout-alongs, while “Nothing That I Want” charges forward with Nadine Muller’s pounding drums front and center. Together, these tracks map out the album’s sweet spot—tuneful, ferocious, and heart pounding fun.

Lyrical Strength: The lyrics keep it direct—independence, urgency, and the thrill of living loud. No heavy metaphors, just words that ride shotgun with the riffs. It’s upfront, spirited, and fits their sound perfectly.

Final Groove: Last Laugh doesn’t try to reinvent the wheel—it slams the pedal to the floor and keeps it fun. It’s a debut that proves LOOSE LIPS can channel their influences without sounding stuck in the past. Last Laugh is a record that’s already a blast and hints at even bigger things to come. If this is just the opening statement, their next moves are going to be ones to watch.

LOOSE LIPS LINKS
Instagram | Bandcamp | DIG! Records