Kevin Courtney's guide to singles, downloads and free audiostreams

AARON JAMES
Comfort Me
Crashed
***

You've always wondered what REM would sound like with Bono on the mic instead of Stipe. Well, wonder no more, 'cos this Dublin fella has the stadium-friendly voice, but also the ear for a listenable indie anthem.

THE CHEMICAL BROTHERS
Do it Again
Virgin
**

Tom 'n' Ed do it all over again with panache on their new album, We Are the Night. This jerky beat, however, featuring Ali Love on repeat, lacks the bros' usual explosive mix. Hear an hour-long anti-Nazi mixtape on www.chemicalbrothers.com/goodstuff

THE GOSSIP
Listen Up!
Backyard
***

Now listen up - the hot Gossip are taking control of the dancefloor, and no one is gonna be standing in the way of Beth Ditto as she struts her punky, funky stuff. OK, they're treading water a bit here, but still making a splash.

THE BIRD AND THE BEE
Again and Again
EMI
****

"Say my name, say my name, say my stupid name," chirps the not-all-that-stupidly named Inara George, daughter of Lowell, on this charming little odd-ditty, with its strummy guitars, jazzy chorus and fizzy synths. Hear this and the very interesting Fcking Boyfriend on www.myspace.com/thebirdandthebee

THE BRAVERY
Every Word from Your Mouth Is a Knife in My Ear
Island
***

It's Depeche Mode albums at dawn as the NY synth rockers return for another round with Brandon Flowers. Go to www6.thebravery.com and hear the new album, The Sun and The Moon, including the forthcoming single, Time Won't Let Me Go, and this fighting fit track that rocks the Durannie sound.

DARK ROOM NOTES
Love Like Nicotine
Gonzo
****

Two years after the smoking ban, this Dublin quartet are still feeling the craving. Might as well face it, they're addicted to love. What better way to distract the mind than by writing a killer indie-rock tune and making a video in Temple Bar that climaxes in a choreographed line-dance routine a la OK Go? In a word, smokin'.

THE RUMBLE STRIPS
Motorcycle
Fallout
**

The Tavistock lads are feeling the need for speed in this brassy tune about swapping the pushbike for something sexier. Not sure about the version of Amy Winehouse's Back to Black, though.