Today, Cardiff quintet Panic Shack return with their first new music since the release of their self-titled debut album, which landed in July 2025 via Brace Yourself Records and saw the band achieve a Top 40 album in the UK. It comes in the guise of a fizzy punk barnstormer, “grin & bear it,” and arrives on the eve of the group’s first-ever North American headline tour, with The Super Furry Animals and The Sex Pistols.
“grin & bear it” feels like the sound of a track the group has been working toward for years.
It’s chaotic, funny, and politically sharp post-punk that never gets too serious, even when it’s angry.
The song’s biggest strength is its ability to balance tension and release. Panic Shack seems to know that punk is best when it feels a bit out of control, and “grin & bear it” absolutely nails that feeling.
The guitars cut through… instead of just riffing… the rhythm section pushes everything forward with restless energy, and the vocals sound conversational, like someone venting across the table at 1am after a rough night (with lyrics beginning like “I’m still unfilled, sick of work, sick of bills…”)
The track is joined by an accompanying video, shot during Panic Shack’s recent headline German tour, that perfectly captures the chaos and camaraderie the band has wrought in the wake of their debut album last year, and will continue to bring across the UK, Europe, and North America this summer.
“We took this to another level when recording the video. Went full method,” they say. “The whole video is filmed and directed by us while on our recent tour in Germany. We left no graffiti’d wall un-lip synced in front of, no green room relaxed in, every cool monument photo op used as a backdrop, it was work work work, grind grind grind… but of course we had a blast doing it.”
Lyrically, the track delves into the emotional exhaustion that comes from always having to act pleasantly and agreeably. The title sums up the whole message. Panic Shack is great at turning everyday frustrations into songs everyone can relate to, and they avoid sounding preachy by keeping their humor present. There’s always a bit of a joke behind the anger.
What seems to set them apart from many other UK post-punk bands is that they don’t glorify misery. While others get lost in cynicism, Panic Shack adds color, sarcasm, and real fun… the song still feels fresh and modern, not just a throwback.
The production (Ross Orton – Arctic Monkeys, Amyl & the Sniffers, Yard Act) deserves credit for keeping the band’s rough edges. “grin & bear it” feels live (very) sweaty and a bit unpredictable, made for packed rooms rather than playlists. That looseness gives the song its character.
If there’s a weakness, it’s that they might lean a bit more on attitude than on catchy melodies. The song makes a strong impression right away, but some parts are more memorable for their energy than for a tune you’ll remember later. Still, that might not matter. This music is meant to provoke a reaction, make you move, and make you feel seen, not to be polished.
Overall, “grin & bear it” is sharp, cathartic, and very funny in that uniquely British way where annoyance turns into shared joy. They are touring with The Super Furry Animals and then The Sex Pistols. Panic Shack looks like one of the most entertaining bands in today’s UK punk and post-punk scene.
They don’t reinvent the genre, but they will certainly make it feel alive again.
Chris Garrod, May 19, 2026
Buy/Stream from here: https://panicshack.bandcamp.com/track/grin-bear-it
