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.

2015: some tracks to remember

In truth, 2015 was a year in which I didn’t listen to a lot of new music - and a lot of what I listened to were new tunes from my old favourites. That means this list is thus inclined, but there were some good tunes out in any case...

Kosheen - "Yes Men" (1999)

Kosheen had a few chart hits in the early 2000s, but their first single went somewhat under the radar. On “Yes Men”, several ingredients of their later success are apparent.

Bloc Party - "The Love Within"

Bloc Party are back, with a new line-up and some new tunes. Hymns is upon us in January, but the band have released a couple of singles in the meantime. Thus, “The Love Within” should have been a exciting moment for fans, but ends up sounding pretty underwhelming.

Björk - Vulnicura

It was going to take something special to get me to review an entire album, but Vulnicura is the best thing I’ve heard all year. Created in the midst of her breakup with long-term partner Matthew Barney, the result is at times harrowing to hear; but as a result, this Björk’s most personal work for ages, in addition to the usual sonic brilliance.

Bloc Party - "Banquet"/"Staying Fat" (2004)

A true anthem of the previous decade, “Banquet” could be described as the Bloc Party tune. While their other songs from this era might stand out for lyrical quirks and emotional insight, this song has the band’s most recognisable guitar riff. The gripping drum intro and Paul Epworth’s electronica-tinged production are really distinctive features on Silent Alarm, while Kele resembles a young Robert Smith as he laments girl problems. Here's the original video (there was a glitzier one for the 2005 re-release).

Blur - "Lonesome Street"

Yes, I’m reviewing a single without any B-sides, but this is 2015. Even stranger is that Liam Gallagher, in between verbally barracking his brother, names a Blur tune as ‘song of the year’, though you suspect some proper Britpop might be right up his alley.