One of the first songs written for their much anticipated upcoming album Dystopian Hellscape, pink suits have released their fourth and final single release ‘Are You Gay Yet?’. Described as “a seething celebration of queerness”, it captures the duo’s distinct, definitive essence perfectly. An anthem dedicated to reclaiming your identity and sense of self, the track takes their trademark angst and channels it into a fierce salute to individuality.
The track begins with clattering, fast paced drumming that teases the riotous energy integral to pink suits’ signature sound. Fuzzy guitars begin slowly and simply, giving the vocals plenty of space to belt out the track’s central question: “Are you gay yet?” It hangs in the relative quiet of those opening lines, forcing you to confront the discomfort inherent in such an invasive and personal question, and consider the mindset of someone who thinks that’s an appropriate thing to say out loud.
Guitar, drums and vocals pick up for furious, fast paced verses that delve deeper. They depict moments that any visibly queer person will recognise, when people go out of their way to make a point of letting you know that they have noticed, in a way that evidently isn’t designed to be kind. A way that might be delivered gently, but still feels like a slap in the face.
The track alternates between the intrusive questions and the visceral emotional reaction to being asked them. The abrupt shifts between the two perspectives create a sense of whiplash that evokes the dizzy sense of disorientation that often hits when someone has caught you off-guard with such a pernicious approach to asking about your life.
‘Are You Gay Yet?’ is quintessentially pink suits. It aches with rage at the micro-aggressions that queer people are routinely expected to tolerate, yet is simultaneously infused with an infectious joy born of rejecting that expectation. With this song, pink suits are clapping back with all the frustration they are made to feel in that moment and revelling in the satisfaction of taking the power back.
Dystopian Hellscape, the upcoming second album from pink suits, is set for release on 1st April. Catch pink suits on tour over the next couple of months, including 29th March at Manchester Punk Festival and 13th April at Cro Cro Land. Dates and tickets here.
Kirstie Summers
@ActuallyKurt
Get In Her Ears 
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