Forged in the same New York post-punk cauldron as Interpol and The Strokes, at around the same time, The National have had a slower, steadier trajectory. After two promising but imperfect records, The National and Sad Songs For Dirty Lovers, they found their voice with Alligator, in 2005.

It was the start of an astonishingly consistent run of albums: Boxer, High Violet, and Trouble Will Find Me, before their latest, Sleep Well Beast, became the first to reach number 1 in the UK. Tonight they complete the UK leg of their new tour, with the last of four nights at the Hammersmith Apollo.

Their sound has evolved. The debut was closer to alt-country, while parts of Sleep Well Beast wouldn't be out of place on a Bjork or late Radiohead record. But some the band's work ethic and earnestness have remained constant. Matt Berninger's lyrics, which use free association and obscure imagery to speak to middle class anxieties: jobs, divorces, debt. His vocals, which can switch from a near-whispery baritone to anguished howl in a beat. The musicianship of the two sets of brothers who complete the line-up: the Devendorfs, Bryan and Scott, form the rhythm section, and twins Aaron and Bryce Dessner do guitars.