Underworld - "I Exhale"

Yeah, it is a bit of a case of same old Underworld. There are the usual meaningless, spoken vocals over a warm, repetitive synthline that could’ve come straight out of the mid-’90s. And the video is daft. Inevitably, though, it works rather well.

It’s just something about the way they blend in the backing vocals, creating an oddly catchy sort of chorus, and fill the rest of the space so subtly. Co-produced by High Contrast, this never descends into the jarring nonsense we've heard him in recent years - keeping things smooth and low-key, boding well for Underworld's new LP.

The Last Shadow Puppets - "Bad Habits"

Six years on from the release of their first album together, and not a mop-top in sight. And it’s not just Miles and Alex who are meaner and slicker.

Though the prominent string arrangements remain, the whole sound is somewhat sleazier, in a perfectly good way. Compared to the likes of “Standing Next To Me”, it’s all a lot less poetic and a bit more sordid tales of yesteryear. This might not go down well with some of their fans, but is a bit of change such a bad thing? Not when it’s accompanied by such a kickass orchestral backing.

David Bowie - Lazarus

“Look up here, I’m in heaven.” ...Just wow. He’s literally speaking from beyond the grave. 

Tony Visconti, who produced many of Bowie’s albums, put it this way: ““His death was no different from his life – a work of art.” This is an unbelievable expression of art, taking his impending death and creating something so vivid, like a painter conjuring up a landscape in his death throes.

And come on, it’s a decent tune too. The jazzy vibe going on in a lot of his more recent work, continues, building to a haunting crescendo after we hear him say for the final time, “Oh, I’ll be free... ain’t that just like me?” Seriously, what a way to go out.

Little Dragon - "Klapp Klapp" (2014)

A little bit of magic from everyone’s favourite Swedish band. Early on, the springy synths make you feel that you’re in for something a bit bigger than we usually hear from Little Dragon, more known for cute little tunes for the lounge at around 4pm.