Release Date 16th January 2026
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.
Playing with a Different Sex is available on black vinyl and contains an insert.
Tracks:
We're So Cool / Love Song / Set Up / Repetition / Headache For Michelle /
Come Again / Armagh / Unfinished Business / Dear John / It's Obvious