Refused were one of those special bands that everyone sort of hopped on to after the fact. Their breakup coincided with the release of their breakthrough album The Shape Of Punk To Come in 1998, but their legend as a revolutionary group in punk, hardcore and electronic music continued to grow after that. A little hope came with the news in 2012 that the band would reunite to tour, including a memorable stop at Coachella. But sadly, that reunion came and went and left fans wondering if the Swedish punks would ever return. That is, until today.
The band has exclaimed in a statement they are back with a new album in June titled Freedom, their first in 17 years. The first track released from that album, “Elektra,” puts the band right back where they left off. Ironically, the blistering track was produced by Shellback, who is better known for Sweden’s other prominent export of undeniably catchy Pop music. But “Elektra” sounds nothing like the work of someone who normally produces Britney Spears, Taylor Swift and Maroon 5. If it did, we would probably have to admit something may had changed over a couple decades.
Below, reacquaint yourselves with “New Noise,” one of The Shape of Punk to Come‘s standout tracks.
