Lesley Gore sits at the heart of Swiss Pleasure’s new single, and the band are keen that listeners know why. Their cover of ‘It’s My Party’ came out on 23 October, and it doubles as a tribute to an artist who has meant a great deal to them.
Gore’s best-known song is a classic pop anthem. It made the hits back then, and its theme, melody and arrangement still feel universal today. For the Berlin trio, though, the appeal went beyond the tune. They saw an opportunity to bring out what the cheerful surface covers up. Their version, which they began developing in 2024, is more melancholic and raw, and it lets the song’s underlying rage emerge.
The band are open about what that means to them. In their words, this was an expression that was likely not considered acceptable for women in Gore’s era. They also point to her standing as a queer icon, and to an openness and advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights that continue to inspire them.
That sense of purpose runs through Swiss Pleasure as a whole. Formed in Berlin five years ago, the band is the result of Agathe, Alea and Claire wanting to put music at the centre of their lives. They are intentionally FLINTA*, a choice rooted in preserving and promoting expression that has historically been underrepresented and marginalised. Their taste is wide, taking in dream pop, post-punk, stoner, psych and jazz, and it shows in how they approach composition and in how they use their voices and instruments.
The trio call their story aspirational. They want to develop as musicians together without losing a strong sense of vulnerability, and this cover shows that balance well. Their first EP arrived in 2024, and they have since played shows across Germany and Europe. More songs are on the way through the rest of 2026.
Fans of Daughter, Alvvays or The xx will find plenty to enjoy here.