In 1990, while everyone else was busy with the baggy beats of Madchester or the looming shadow of grunge, The Sundays arrived with Reading, Writing and Arithmetic. It’s one of those rare debut albums that feels perfectly formed from the very first second. It sits in that wonderful sweet spot of indie-pop, where melody is king and everything feels just a little bit hazy and romantic.

The sound is defined by David Gavurin’s sparkling, jangly guitar work and, of course, Harriet Wheeler’s incredible voice. It’s light, airy, and incredibly melodic, but there is a subtle melancholy running through it that stops it from being too sugary. It’s the kind of music that feels like a sunny afternoon spent doing absolutely nothing – there’s a sense of effortless cool and a very British sort of charm to the whole thing.

“Here’s where the story ends” is the standout track that most people know, and for good reason – it’s basically a perfect pop song. “Can’t be sure” is another highlight, featuring that soaring vocal that seems to float right over the top of the music. Even the slightly more upbeat tracks like “Goodbye” maintain that delicate, shimmering atmosphere that the band made their own.

Revisiting this album is like putting on a favourite jumper. It’s comforting, timeless, and hasn’t aged a day. In a world where music can often feel loud and aggressive, Reading, Writing and Arithmetic is a reminder of how powerful subtlety can be. It’s an understated masterpiece that invites you in and makes you want to stay a while.