A collection of bizarre, fascinating and sometimes confusing songs tackling heavy political issues with much wit and not much subtlety. Wellington avant-garde troupe Gold Medal Famous consists primarily of frontman / songwriter Chris Wilson, Tamsin Grigg on guitar and keyboard, and Vorn Colgan on production, alongside a myriad of musical collaborators.

The self-described 21st century subversives dive into a series of politically-charged songs tackling everything from the PM’s love of meat on the hilarious Meat Lovers’ Pizza, to NZ’s sports fixation on Free Body Culture, to neighbourly voyeurism in I’ve Got My Windows Wide Open. The most intriguing track is You’re So Outrageous, the layering of the high-pitched repetitive chorus over the baritone ramblings about Government spending and constitutional abuse making it a hypnotic listen. It doesn’t let you get away that easy, however, and as you think the track is about to fade out it cuts into a blood-curdling scream.

The production could stand some tuning, at times it’s difficult to hear the lyrics on some songs – important considering their satirical element. However, there’s a strong sense these guys aren’t overly interested in making music that’s easy on the ears, and perhaps that’s entirely the point. ‘Free Body Culture’, which the band claims is the world’s first ‘eclectotronica’ release, is no doubt eclectic, and its high energy anxiety-driven tracks will translate well live. These guys have a lot to say, and they’re not being coy about it.