From The Ramones to the Gossip, the DIY scene has long been influenced by the output of Tamla Motown and the Phil Spector-produced girl groups of the 60s. Yet rarely have they channelled these influences so slavishly, or so beautifully.

The band is essentially the baby of frontwoman Liz Hunt, whose crystal pure, marvellously unforced tones take centre stage throughout. From the sublime call-and-response cooing of the radiant opener Let It Slip, to the moment she's pours herself like a glowing balm over I Don't Believe in Love, a duet with gravel-voiced indie artist Rob Jones, Hunt is mesmerising. The band's immensely accomplished arsenal of sobbing strings, warm patters of piano, twanging guitars and perky handclaps create a period-authentic backdrop, but her voice is The School's soul - melodious but with the untrained charm of Mary Weiss, Ronnie Spector et al, pure and pretty as the morning light.