The Coral

The Coral formed in Hoylake, Merseyside in 1996, James Skelly's songwriting and the band's eclectic, psychedelic sound giving them a quality that was immediately distinctive. They signed to Deltasonic Records and released their debut album in 2002 — one of the most acclaimed British debuts of the year. The sound drew on folk, psychedelia, and classic pop in ways that felt completely contemporary.

'The Coral' (2002) was an immediate statement of intent. 'Dreaming of You', 'In the Morning', and 'Goodbye' were all excellent singles. The album reached number five and was Mercury Prize nominated. The Coral were suddenly one of the most talked-about bands in Britain — a band who seemed to have arrived from a different era without being nostalgic.

The Coral have continued to record and tour with remarkable consistency. 'Magic and Medicine' (2003) and 'The Invisible Invasion' (2005) were both strong follow-ups. 'Move Through the Dawn' (2018) was a strong late-career album. They remain one of the most underrated British bands of their generation.