It’s Friday! Friday means a rousing outing at the local watering hole, at which point this song will come on to the cheer of many inebriated folks. Followed immediately by a rather colourful sing-along.

And heck, why not? There’s something almost sea-shanty-esque about it, and the best sea-shanties are best sung loudly and accompanied with a side of rum, after all.

I was listening to some Little People the other day when it suddenly clicked that it reminded of yet another artist: DJ Shadow. Now, for those who are ignorant (like me, for the most part), DJ Shadow is a pretty big deal in the electronic world, having released the album this song is from, Endtroducing….., way back in 1996, establishing hip-hop instrumentals (and, in turn, downtempo) as a proper thing in the music world. Nothing about this track feels dated either, which bodes well for downtempo in general: I imagine I’ll still be listening to all of it when I’m a cantankerous old fart.

Oh my goodness. The smuttiness ranking is off the charts here: I am entirely red-faced as I type this! Not only are there virgins, but the album is called In Lust We Trust. You’ll forgive me if I’m just too bashful to talk right now!

Luckily, the song is not the cornucopia of ambient music for porn that the aforementioned names may suggest. The Ark were a Swedish glam rock band, and apparently the most successful Swedish band since ABBA. This song isn’t very glam-rocky though, more just a solid chunk of Swedish rock.

Indie pop is all up in the 80s these days. Were I a little older than a toddler during the 80s, I probably would’ve had a damn good time, and I’d be sitting here reminiscing about how this tune reminds me of those times. But that’d be a total lie!

There’s something fun, but sad about this tune: you could bop away at it for ages, but be crying on the inside just a teeny bit. Not that it’s a bad thing, either! My point is, it’s got some depth to it, rather than just a parroted rehash of the 80s pedalled by two helmet-wearing DJs. Yeah, I got OPINIONS.

If I’m honest, I’d say that I checked this band out because of their album art. And since I am honest, I’ll say just that! I mean, look at it: it is either the most raddest car stunt ever, or Back to the Future has finally become reality. That, or Photoshop but it’s still pretty awesome.

Luckily, the music is equally arresting. It’s a kind of Brit-punkish, hard-spanking ball of indie rock, the kind of music that’d actually go quite well if you happened to be in that car at that particular moment. Probably not a situation most will get into, but at least you have music for it should it ever happen.

A while ago, I quipped that posting about David Bowie would coax him out of retirement. Y’all can thank me later. Yes, Bowie has resurfaced, and he brings with him a new album and a vague promise about more to come, which is darn good news.

In typical Bowie fashion, this is wild, spacey and oh, what’s the word… oh yeah, amazingly brilliant. Well, that’s two words, but whatever! Time clearly hasn’t dulled the starman, so here’s to many more years of slightly eccentric music!

The National have become indie darlings of late, and it’s not hard to see why with this tune. I mean, just look at the footwork of the guitarist in the video below: nuts!

Anyway, they have a new album out now, and if this song is any indication, it continues their streak of somewhat melancholy but totally rocking tunes.

One day, I sat through the entire end credit reel for V for Vendetta. Because bored. Turns out to have been worth it, because I might never have discovered this tune. Yes, it turns out that even films about Natalie Portman’s streamlined new haircut can potentially house wonderful music: who’d have known it?

Despite my disdain at spelling spiritualised with a z (damn you, America!), this is a darn fine tune. I am all about the shoegazing and this song is doing some seriously hardcore gazing at shoes: it is simply a superb bit of space-flavoured rock.

Today’s tune comes to us courtesy of my friend (and former colleague) @nshady via Twitter, of all things. Look at little old either/or, all getting up in social media and stuff! Though I currently have the social presence and capabilities of a spoon, I’m not going to turn down a chance to listen to some tunes.

And what tunes! A delectable collection of smooth, catchy electronic beats, with a bit of downtempo chucked in there for seasoning. From Australia too, which is awesome because I’m patriotic like that. Also, I don’t usually hear a lot of stuff as interesting as this come out of the country, so bravo lads.

I already wrote about Jimmy Gnecco, now I figured it is time to write about his dang band, Ours. I haven’t listened to all their dang albums yet, but what I’ve gathered so far is that Mr. Gnecco has an amazing voice, especially in this song from their second album, Distorted Lullabies. If you could sing this to a lady as well as this fella can, she might become dizzy. See what I did there? So very clever.