The first of three singles to precede Mark Linkous’ latest long-player as Sparklehorse, Dreamt For Light Years In The Belly Of A Mountain, ‘Don’t Take My Sunshine Away’ is a slight but pleasant number that hardly displays any notable progression from its maker, but nevertheless allows the listener to pass three minutes in something like a state of smiley contentment.

The squelching and crunching and wobbly electro-something bits and pieces are all present and correct, lending ‘Don’t…’ a subtle air of ‘heard it before’, yet the quality control clearly hasn’t dipped in the time since Linkous’ last album, 2001's It’s A Wonderful Life. Newcomers attracted by back-slapping praise in the press may wonder what the fuss over Sparklehorse is all about if they base their fledgling opinion solely on this single, but longstanding aficionados will appreciate the sneak-a-peak nature of this and the two other seven-inches to follow, ‘Ghost In The Sky’ and ‘Knives Of Summertime’. That, and their monetary value in a few years’ time.

Nothing remarkable it may be, but ‘Don’t…’ is a quick-fix slice of summery indie-pop sure to appeal to those dreading the onset of early sunsets and frosty mornings. It’s aural Ready Brek, near enough: easily consumed and satisfyingly warming.