Au Pairs – Playing With A Different Kind Of Sex (LP)

Playing with a Different Sex was the debut album by seminal post-punk band Au Pairs, released in 1981.

Described retrospectively by AllMusic as ‘one of the great post-punk records’, a review by Record Mirror on its release said the band’s ‘critique of all forms of possession and sexual stereotyping assumes a devastating power’.

Themes include sexual politics and the torture of women imprisoned in Northern Ireland during The Troubles of the 1970s, as well as a stunning cover of David Bowie’s ‘Repetition’ about domestic violence.

It peaked at No. 33 in the UK, and features the single ‘It’s Obvious’, which reached No. 37 on the US Club Play Singles chart.

Tracklist:

SIDE A
1. We’re So Cool
2. Love Song
3. Set Up
4. Repetition
5. Headache For Michelle

SIDE B
1. Come Again
2. Armagh
3. Unfinished Business
4. Dear John
5. It’s Obvious