Clare Easdown and Jade Ryan make a fearless statement with Burn the Swastika, a raw and unapologetic punk anthem that tears through the fabric of racism and bigotry with a blistering intensity. Set for release on February 9, 2025, this track is more than just music—it’s a battle cry. Influenced by legendary punk acts like Bikini Kill, Fugazi, and Amyl and the Sniffers, Easdown and Ryan, performing as The Cunning Linguists, channel a fierce political edge into their sound. With unfiltered rage and conviction, Burn the Swastika refuses to be subtle, making it one of the most politically charged releases in Easdown’s career.
Recorded in the most punk way possible—on an iPhone with Apple headphones in Clare’s Menai living room—Burn the Swastika thrives on its lo-fi, DIY ethos. There’s no overproduction here, no perfectly balanced mix. Instead, the track embraces imperfection, capturing the immediacy and urgency of punk’s earliest roots. Levels are left unbalanced, the mix is raw, and the energy is unmistakable. This isn’t a polished studio track; it’s a visceral gut-punch of sound, built from passion rather than precision.
This unconventional recording process plays a crucial role in the song’s impact. The lack of excessive studio refinement enhances its authenticity, making every lyric and distorted guitar note feel even more immediate. It’s the sonic equivalent of spray-painting a protest slogan on a city wall—direct, rebellious, and impossible to ignore.
Lyrically, Burn the Swastika doesn’t mince words. Jade Ryan takes the lead on the track’s powerful messaging, channeling pure frustration at the resurgence of far-right ideology, particularly in response to recent neo-Nazi demonstrations in Australia. The duo has made it clear: this song isn’t about diplomacy or sugarcoating—it’s about tearing down hate with unfiltered, unapologetic defiance.
The chorus, anthemic and confrontational, is designed to be shouted in unison at packed punk shows and street protests alike. There’s an unrelenting urgency in the way the lyrics are delivered, making it clear that The Cunning Linguists have no interest in playing it safe. Instead, they lean into punk’s long history of political resistance, joining the ranks of bands like Crass, X-Ray Spex, and the Dead Kennedys in using music as a form of protest.
What makes Burn the Swastika stand out is its complete refusal to conform. In a music industry where even punk can sometimes feel polished for mainstream appeal, Easdown and Ryan bring back the reckless spirit of the genre. This track isn’t just about making a statement—it’s about embodying the raw energy of punk activism.
The duo’s journey from an unexpected Tinder match to busking the streets of Sydney and performing at The Moshpit Bar every week is proof of their dedication to their craft. With plans to headline Oxford Art Factory’s Gallery Bar, The Cunning Linguists are carving out a space for themselves in Australia’s underground music scene—one furious track at a time.
In a time where far-right ideologies are creeping back into public spaces, Burn the Swastika arrives as a much-needed rallying cry. It’s loud, it’s messy, and it’s absolutely necessary. Easdown and Ryan’s fearless approach to songwriting and performance makes this track not just a song, but a statement—a reminder that punk is still alive, still political, and still ready to fight.
For those who believe music should shake the system, Burn the Swastika is essential listening. It’s a call to action, a middle finger to hate, and a testament to the power of punk when it refuses to be silenced.
Connect with CLARE EASDOWN on
English