Kagoule – Urth

There's so much craft and character in evidence on this invigorating debut from the Nottingham trio. Picking the bones out of the early 90s US alt scene is easy meat, of course, but shaping it beyond low stakes tribute into something with identity of its own is a challenge shirked by the herd. Kagoule could pass, at first glance, for one of the many lost underground acts from, say, Boston or Washington state's glory years. But riding on the back of a growing live reputation, they turn their noses up at the originals' leftovers.

Hence, the clamour and scrape of Adjust The Way recalls prime Sebadoh, and their fondness for quiet-loud dynamics draws a line back to the usual big name suspects. But Cai Burns' and Lucy Hatter's dead on boy-girl harmonies, a tight-as group dynamic and the quality of their songwriting throughout, make for a whole that feels absolutely fresh rather than re-heated. Seriously impressive. Get your coats, Kagoule – you've pulled.