EOIN BUTLER's guide to downloads, singles and free audiostreams

SHONEN KNIFE

Sweet Christmas Virgin ***

Thanks to years of misleading advertising, most Japanese believe KFC is the meal traditionally eaten at Christmas. If you want KFC in Tokyo at Christmas, you’ll need to book about two months in advance. Punk legends Shonen Knife are a little more savvy – they’re celebrating with Swiss roll. And out of tune harmonising. Well, some traditions you just don’t mess with.

JAMES BLAKE

Love What's Happened Here RS *****

Soft focus and understatement are Blake’s usual calling cards. But the best thing about the title track from his latest EP is a gorgeous synth line that wobbles around like a drunken sailor before falling asleep in the bath. As with good music journalism, Blake makes it sound easy. But this is a seriously accomplished piece of sonic whatchamakallery.

MATT BERRY & EVERYONE

The Christmas Song **

In creating the world's first crowd-sourced Christmas single, the IT Crowdactor solicited thousands of contributions from the public. All of them are apparently included in the final cut. The paradox of public ownership, though, is that if something belongs to everybody, it also belongs to no one. I mean, in theory I own Iarnród Éireann, but they still make me wear pants when I take the train. Sorry, what were we talking about again? itunes.com

X FACTOR FINALISTS ft JLS & ONE DIRECTION

Wishing on a Star Syco **

Zzz . . . Next!

DAN BOYLE

The Best Is Yet to Come (star rating system suspended)

Shuffle’s fact-checking process doesn’t normally extend beyond 10 seconds on Wikipedia. But in the case of the former Green Party finance spokesman, we’ve been obliged to double-, triple- and quadruple-check our information. Bottom line, this isn’t a prank. Online retailer CD Baby says that if you enjoy Dan Boyle’s sub- Neil Diamond warblings, you might also enjoy Crowded House and Elvis Costello. In truth, if you enjoy this, you’re liable to enjoy just about anything. cdbaby.com