Some bands are the perfect reminder of just how fast time flies. It feels like only yesterday that I discovered Noi!se and their EP Walk Beside Us, a record I genuinely enjoyed at the time. But it was the This Is Who We Are 10-inch that really blew me away. That record spun on my turntable almost every day for what felt like two straight months. Looking back now and realizing that sixteen years have passed since the release of their first EP feels almost unbelievable. From the very beginning, what drew me to Noi!se was their direct approach, relentless drive, high-quality production, and distinctive vocals. All of those qualities remain intact on the band’s fourth full-length album, released by Pirates Press Records in 2026.

The album delivers ten tracks of top-quality streetpunk and punk rock. Noi!se bring together twin guitars, tremendous energy, and Matt’s unmistakable voice, which has become one of the band’s defining trademarks and at times feels almost like an additional instrument. From start to finish, this record is a thrilling ride. There isn’t a weak moment to be found, and the quality of the production elevates the entire album even further. Noi!se charge ahead with intense streetpunk, occasionally drawing inspiration from melodic punk rock (such as the guitar solos in Ever Afraid), while at other times dipping into hardcore or Oi!. The roots of their sound extend beyond traditional punk, though. You can hear influences from more rock-oriented bands, as well as a willingness to embrace stronger melodies when the songs call for them. Even so, this remains unmistakably Noi!se — a sound that has evolved over the years into something highly distinctive and uniquely their own.

Another major strength of the album is how well it works as a cohesive whole. The rhythm section constantly drives the songs forward, the guitars add memorable flourishes, and everything locks together perfectly. On top of that, Noi!se bring something extra to the table through their lyrics. There are no empty slogans here, but rather thoughtful and critical reflections on the world around us. The album examines not only society and the events unfolding around us, but also ourselves. It touches on themes of self-destruction, personal responsibility, and whether we are capable of overcoming our own weaknesses and rising above both minor and major addictions. Breaking down the songs one by one doesn’t make much sense to me, because the record works so well as a unified statement. I find it difficult to hear it simply as a collection of individual tracks. The same applies to the studio version of Idle Action.

At the same time, it’s easy to understand why some orthodox streetpunk fans or genre purists might be frustrated by the direction Noi!se have taken on this record. Some listeners may consider it too polished, too melodic, or too far removed from the underground roots of the genre. But I’ve heard the old „the world is changing and I don’t like it“ song so many times that I can recognize it from the very first notes. Reactions like these often follow bands that manage to break beyond the boundaries of their original subculture. And I believe that’s exactly where Noi!se find themselves today. They are capable of reaching a far broader audience than they were fifteen years ago, while still retaining their identity.