Terrible name. But that’s my only real criticism to this summer of 90 sounding EP from Helsinki based Shine 2009. There’s been a lot of this sort of stuff emerging from Sweden – Gothenburg in particular from the likes of the Tough Alliance, Air France, Pallers and Korralreven to name a few. The Norwegian contributions have been more discoey (Lindstrom, Prins Thomas et al) but until now the Finns have been noticeably absent.

So Finland’s first contribution is to take the Balearic flavoured pop of Gothenburg and nudge it just a bit further towards the dancefloor – or more accurately, early raves. This is music more for (big) speakers than headphones. The beats are mainly the kind of classic breaks used on late 80s hip hop and dance music and they’re further up in the mix. In fact, there’s even a bit of 303 on Naturally. Fox Base Alpha is also definite reference point here – but there’s a feeling of ease and effortless in both the sound. But where St. Etienne’s debut was a little less sure of itself, Shine 2009 feel as cocky as an ’89 vintage Ian Brown.

However this isn’t simply Madchester by way of the Baltic Sea. The sound is smoother and more explicitly blissed – closer to The Beloved or more recently, Boat Club. In fact, given the sound it’s a shame it’s released just as the short summer nights in Northern Latitudes are drawing to close. Maybe that’s the point – want to feel like you’re extending the summer sunshine? Make sure you hear this EP.