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Noisettes: I-WE

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by John Winters

It's strange to think that this is Noisettes’ debut single as it feels as if their name has been bandied about for ages – perhaps because of their reportedly incendiary live show, honed last year supporting fashionable types such as Bloc Party and the Kills. Much has been made of frontwoman Shingai’s star quality – often, you suspect, by male journalists – but whatever it is she does have, it comes across in spades here.

With a voice that sounds like Roisin Murphy possessed by devils and a band who have a perfect grip on seductive, dramatic scuzz guitar, I-WE (pronounced you-eh, it would seem) sounds at times like it could fit on Live Through This, but is never less than captivating; indeed, you’re left hanging on every word. It’s intelligent indie that doesn’t subscribe to the Gang-of-Four-isms that were all you needed to be called clever last year and it’s also undeniably thrilling.

Like a cat with a mouse Malice in Wonderland is a tad more playful but loses none of the scare factor, while Angry Angels does away with the distortion for a melancholy vocal workout showing that, y’know, they can do slowies as well. All in all a hell of a debut; they may not outsell some of the more hyped bands this year but if the album can live up to this early promise they’ll certainly be talked about for longer.

  • Noisettes 8 / 10

i fucking love the noisettes

it's definately not just male journalists. she's magnetic.


Shingai is the most charismatic singer

I've seen for many, many years. The band's pretty incredible too. If there's any justice this will do well.


the noisettes

are so wonderful. can't wait to see em again.





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