Alpines, Oslo

Since forming a little over 4 years ago in South London, Alpines' rise to prominence has been rapid by any measure. Having released EPs via Polydor in 2010-11, by 2012 they had supported Florence and the Machine, founded their own imprint, Untrue Records, and were all set to tour with The Naked and Famous and Emeli Sande.
Give their debut full-length, Oasis, a listen and you'll understand why they're fast moving past the need to be defined by any reference to better-known contemporaries. Pockson's voice soars beautifully over Bob Matthews tight production as they weave fresh neo-soul and R&B influences with the sounds of
early The xx, trip-hop and cutting edge house, amalgamating styles with ease to create a sound that is right on time.
They call it 'night pop', and its a term that perfectly suits their enigmatic style - dark but danceable, ethereal yet effortlessly powerful. Get along to Hackney in December for what might be the last chance to see the group in such an intimate space.