The fact that I didn’t switch off the Hatcham Social album’or even feel a desire to’speaks volumes. The first time I heard their name was amidst a swirl of London scenester hype that, under normal circumstances, would’ve resulted in an automatic brush-off. But these aren’t normal circumstances. You Dig the Tunnel, I’ll Hide the Soil is one of the most impressive debuts you’ll hear from the past, say, five years (I’d say decade, but that’s a pretty massive statement that even I’m not prepared to back). Produced by Tim Burgess of the Charlatans, it manages to reference the pastiche du jour (that would be a healthy mix of the Fall and JAMC’s cynicism with the pop sensibility of Kinks and Jam), without sounding annoyingly familiar. These songs are both pleasant on the ears and engaging enough to pull you back for repeat listens. Who you hang out with tends to shape your vibe, so consider the moody atmospherics of the Horrors’ sophomore effort (Horrors frontman Faris Badwan designs much of Hatcham Social’s artwork) and the Klaxons’ danceability (H.S.’s drummer was mined from said Mercury Prize-winning band) and you’ve got a fairly good idea of what to expect from this surprisingly vital effort.

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