"New Noise" is the signature song from Swedish hardcore punk band Refused, released in 1998 as the lead single from their influential album The Shape of Punk to Come. Known for its aggressive energy, bold structure, and searing social critique, the track has become an anthem within the post-hardcore and punk genres, and remains the band’s most recognized work23.
Song Details
| Title | Artist | Album | Year | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Noise | Refused | The Shape of Punk to Come | 1998 | ~5:10 |
- Writers: Dennis Lyxzén, Kristofer Steen, David Sandström, Jon F. Brännström
- Genre: Hardcore punk, post-hardcore, experimental rock
Musical Style and Structure
- Begins with slow-building tension before erupting into a wall of distorted guitars, rapid drumming, and shouted vocals.
- Incorporates unusual song structure for the punk genre, with dynamic tempo changes, breakdowns, and a dramatic buildup leading to the iconic vocal scream: “Can I scream?!”
- Combines ferocious hardcore with experimental noise, electronics, and a production style that aims for maximal impact and scale2.
Lyrics and Themes
"New Noise" serves as a manifesto for innovation and rebellion against complacency in art and culture. Core lyrical themes include:
- Resistance to Conformity: Critiques repetition in music and society (“How can we expect anyone to listen if we are using the same old voice?”).
- Demand for Authentic Change: The repeated call for a "new noise" and "new art for the real people" underscores the need for genuine, radical creativity.
- Economic and Social Critique: Lyrics address barriers to participation in culture (“Money buys the access and we can’t pay the cost”) and the commercialization of art.
Notable lyric excerpt:
"We need new noise, new art for the real people.
We lack the motion to move to the new beat.
...And how can we expect anyone to listen
if we are using the same old voice?"2
Impact and Legacy
- Anthemic Status: “New Noise” has become Refused's defining track, a staple of their live shows, and a touchstone for punk and hardcore fans25.
- Influence: Its sound and ambition helped shape the direction of post-hardcore and modern punk; bands across genres cite it as a major influence26.
- Critical Reception: Initially, both the song and its parent album went underappreciated, but both have since been reevaluated as classics of the late 1990s alternative scene63.
- Cultural Footprint: The song’s opening scream and confrontational sound continue to be celebrated in media, covered by other artists, and featured in television and film7.
Context in Refused’s Career
- Album Significance: The Shape of Punk to Come was an ambitious departure blending hardcore, jazz, and electronic influences. “New Noise” exemplifies this vision and is credited with forecasting the evolution of heavy music263.
- Band History: Shortly after the album’s release, Refused broke up, but the enduring legacy of “New Noise” contributed greatly to their mythos and eventual reunion years later6.
If you seek an explosive, inventive protest anthem that demands creative renewal, “New Noise” stands as an enduring rallying cry in modern punk rock.
