Noisettes

London's Noisettes have taken an interesting leap from skuzzy garage-punk right into the deep sea of retro-soul. Not many bands can accomplish such a bound in one album, but the booming wail and fighting words of frontwoman Shingai Shoniwa work wonders. She's got soulful sass like a young Nina Simone, and an edge like Pat Benatar, strained just enough to produce a pop-star charm. Her charisma jolts right from the start, with the infectious la-la-las of "Wild Young Hearts," the disco-pop bounce of "Don't Upset the Rhythm" and the swaying girl-group lure of "Never Forget You."