In 2004, only Special Needs can conjure up such images of sweet, playful, noisy fun. With one listen of second single 'Francesca', it’s obvious The ‘Needs finally have a record that is a true representation of their rip-roaring live show. The punk-spat “Yeah, Yeah!”s and “Oh Wow!”s play the perfect foil to the gushing lead vocals. With Zac Stephenson sounding at times like a youthful, lamenting crooner, the mix works to perfection. And yet this is no pastiche - it feels young, vital and satisfyingly unstable. B-sides ‘That Maddening Glare’ and ‘The Winter Gardens’ are equally full of bounding, character-fuelled melodies. And the tunes themselves - those minor chords and "Do-wops" force a cheeky wink of the eye, the drums are held fast on the off-beat, and the guitars layer everything with a dirty, grimy sheen.

Special Needs are popping to perfection and look set to leave many of their London contemporaries in ruin, because on this evidence alone they have the songs - and the speed – to flatten the competition. DiS is off to buy a Thunderbird. I’ll pick you up at eight.