Pet Shop Boys release new song targeting Putin
British synth-pop duo Pet Shop Boys have released a new song, “A Top Secret Washing Machine,” satirizing Russian President Vladimir Putin and referencing the 2020 poisoning of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny.
Synth-pop duo Pet Shop Boys have introduced a new song titled "A Top Secret Washing Machine," which targets Russian President Vladimir Putin. The track was released on YouTube on September 18, coinciding with the first day of Russia's State Duma elections. In their promotional material, the duo mentioned that Russia was conducting State Duma and regional elections from September 18 to 20, marking the nation's inaugural parliamentary elections since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
The Pet Shop Boys also referenced Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny's February 2, 2021 courtroom speech, where he criticized Putin for his poisoning in August 2020. Navalny accused Putin of using violence against his opponents, famously dubbing him "Vladimir the Underpants Poisoner" due to the incident. The song's lyrics playfully imagine who might wash Putin's underwear and protect his secrets, while questioning his isolation and fear of eventual justice.
It also draws parallels to historical figures like Joseph Stalin and Peter the Great, insinuating that Putin might believe he can evade accountability. The song concludes with a verse suggesting that Putin's secrets might eventually be exposed. "A Top Secret Washing Machine" is not the Pet Shop Boys' first critical song about Putin; in 2023, they released "Living in the Past," from Putin's viewpoint, comparing him to Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin.
This particular track marks the duo's latest effort to satirize the Russian leader amid ongoing political unrest.
Written by urgent.news from New Voice of Ukraine's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
