Sense and Sensuality (1982) was the second and final album by seminal British post-punk band Au Pairs. The four-piece group from Birmingham were very much in tune with the early 80s growth pangs from the first punk explosion - stripping down their music from their debut LP to a funkier, more rhythmic essence, and shifting the focus of their lyrics to the personal rather than the political.
The addition of horns and imaginative synthesizers allowed for more satisfying sonic diversity, from the disco-informed dance-punk of “Instant Touch” to the cabaret swing of “Tongue in Cheek”. While “That’s When It’s Worth It” takes several elements of popular post-punk - looping auxiliary percussion rhythms and a sporadically used horn section - and crafts them into a wild sound that’s equal parts dance, psychedelia, punk and art pop.
Their distinctly punk take on sex and gender politics, meanwhile, was their strongest thematic strain - and that’s truly where Sense and Sensuality shined. Despite only reaching #79 in the UK when first released, it’s now widely seen as one of the best post-punk albums ever.
Sense and Sensuality is now available as a limited numbered edition of 750 copies on translucent magenta coloured vinyl and contains an insert.
Side A
1. Don't Lie Back
2. (That's When) It's Worth It
3. Instant Touch
4. Sex Without Stress
5. Fiasco
Side B
1. Intact
2. Tongue In Cheek
3. Stepping Out Of Line
4. Shakedown
5. America
