Alvvays - Birthdays, London 05/08/14

Perhaps, an apt adjective for the group is novel, and not just because of their bookish image. Vocalist Molly Rankin peppers her lyrics with laconic, anthropological observations, such as in “Archie, Marry Me”, where she dryly croons to a crossed-arm crowd in Dalston: “Honey, take me by the hand, and we can sign some papers/Forget the invitations, floral arrangements, and breadmakers”. Of course, the curveball band name (pronounced “always”) is another linguistic teaser: one for the Search Engine Optimisation, or just a bit of literary creativity?

Behind Rankin’s peroxide-blonde locks and scarlet lipstick is a puckish, teasing mind, yet while performing, Alvvays are restrained, often barely more visible than silhouettes. That may be due to the sultry conditions in Birthday’s basement venue, though the singer has performance in her blood. She is a daughter of The Rankin Family, a renowned folk family collective - and source of much Canadian pride - that began with neighbourhood céilidhs (traditional Scottish social gatherings) in 1970, on the small island town of Cape Breton where Rankin grew up.

The rest of the band also hail from the remote Canadian Maritimes - almost the furthest Eastern point of the continent - so it’s strange that Alvvays perform with a buoyancy and breeziness that is the hallmark of the West Coast. We’ve heard that pristine jangly guitar and slinky progressions before from the likes of Best Coast, however, each of Alvvay’s nine album songs plus a raucous cover of The Hummingbird’s “Alimony” are so distinctly drawn out it doesn’t matter.

Rankin’s potent vocals often cut through the instrumentation like a spotlight, etching out beguiling indie pop songs, but from a perspective that’s slightly awry. “Too late to go out/Too young to stay in” she opines, pinpointing a generation, over screeching distorted guitar. Engaging but preened, melancholic but diaphanous, Alvvays are high school friends that never lost their charming candidness. But there is no time for chatter between songs, as the sumptuous minimalism of “The Agency Group” rolls by, “Adult Diversion” jangles like a beachside anthem, and the phantasmic “Red Planet” entrances the audience.

Alvvays are full of romanticism, deadpan wit, and chiming melodies. The fact that they formed in 2011 - but have only just released their debut - shows, with a performance that is pared-down, but with plenty of meaty flesh on the bone. With matching white trainers and an undulating sound that’s like a paintbrush to a guitar, the band certainly have a clear sound, but with new material on the horizon, you have to wonder where Alvvays can go next.

• Photo by Wunmi Onibudo. See the full gallery here.