With Tigs developing into a charismatic whirlwind of a front woman who it was impossible to take your eyes off, Chew Lips increasingly compelling live performances grabbed the attention of uber-cool French label Kitsuné who insisted on putting out the band's debut single, "Solo".
Released in March 2009, "Solo" sold out almost instantly, causing a storm in the blogosphere and beyond, with Pitchfork calling the track "….classic, pristine,"[3] and The Fly magazine labelling it "one of the most magnificent debuts of the year".
Kitsuné released a second sold out single, "Salt Air" in July 2009 – NME called it "an addictive slice of heart-wrenching disco-pop" – before the band begun work in summer '09 on their full-length debut with Bat For Lashes collaborator David Kosten.
The fruits of their labour came with the self-released album Unicorn in January 2010, such a giant leap forward for their sound that they were confident enough to leave off both of the previous singles.
The press agreed: the BBC called it "startling", NME "mesmeric", whilst a 4/5 review in The Guardian said it "drags you straight in."