Like ‘incredible’, ‘unbelievable’ and ‘genius’, the word ‘original’ is bandied about way too liberally. Of all those half-witted bands who proclaim themselves so, less than one per cent even approach originality – and indeed, is it even desirable? Anyway, Wild Beasts have stumbled upon something that has genuinely never been before.

Partly this is musical: Hayden Thorpe’s voice, staggering between growl and howl, cannot be ignored. The songs themselves have no consistent structure but still possess the melodic clout and occasional tenderness to hit the listener on a visceral level. Then there are the words – tales of parochial Britain, concerned with ‘winning the big match’ and ‘chips and cheese’. This could be sickeningly twee, but in the hands of this Leeds quartet, is insightful and just, well, beautiful.

To pick out songs is to discriminate unfairly, but special word must go to ‘The Old Dog’, with its addictive guitar refrain and take on casual sex among the elderly, and ‘Cheerio Chaps’, the perfect crescendo. Among the finest albums this year.

Barnaby Smith