The ShortListen: Alfred Hall (no. 279)

Who? Alfred Hall

What’s the story? Shamefully, we'd never heard of Norwegian duo Hans Thomas and Bjørn Tveit’s, aka Alfred Hall (who really do sound like an old building), despite the band being successful in their homeland since forming in 2009, even scooping a Norwegian Grammy nomination for their 2014 debut album Wilderness. Now they ready their first UK release, with the Safe & Sound EP due in April. The title track has already racked up 3 million Spotify plays and for good reason, with breathy vocals, chiming guitars and a big sound, which manages to steer towards the understated and melancholic, rather than going too bombastic. It's rather great, and we look forward to them playing the Albert Hall sooner rather than later.

For fans of: Palace Winter, Of Monsters and Men

In three words: Restrained indie pop