Jangly, jittery, and wise beyond their years, The Lathums belong to a great lineage of erudite British indie bands. Echoes of The Smiths’ clever guitar pop and Arctic Monkeys’ spiky, whip-smart rock ripple through the Wigan band’s sharp, swaggering blend of youthful bluster and world-weary philosophy. The quartet had instant chemistry, releasing their 2019 debut single, “Crying Out,” a glistening, guitar-powered ballad, within a few months of forming. By the end of 2020, they had sold out a string of headline shows, signed to a major label, and already had three acclaimed EPs under their belt. Fans immediately grabbed on to their crisp, propulsive style, highlighted on singles like “The Great Escape” and “Fight On,” which see bassist Johnny Cunliffe and drummer Ryan Durrans kick up the intensity as Alex Moore’s rockabilly-esque croons gracefully dance around Scott Concepcion’s shiny Rickenbacker licks. Both tracks appear on The Lathums’ 2021 debut album, How Beautiful Life Can Be, a dynamic set that shows off their versatility (with touches of folk, ska, and psychedelia) while capturing the timelessness of their influences and the anxiety of the times.