NME single of the week, Zane Lowe’s Radio 1 single of the week, two sold out nights supporting Bloc Party at the Astoria, and a Paul Epworth produced debut album ready to soundtrack the summer festival circuit. It’d be fair to say that things are going swimmingly for The Rakes at the moment, and with a single as damn fine as Retreat it’s hard to begrudge them their current success.

In fact, 'Retreat' is easily one of 2005’s best tracks so far. Why? Well, it’s got a cracking intro, a thrillingly catchy chorus, handclaps (yes!) and a stop-on-a-dime finish. Lyrically, it’s another classic song about going out, getting sozzed, indulging in the occasional debaucherous act, traipsing home, sleeping it off, and then starting all over again. Three minutes of glorious rock’n’roll that warrants pressing the ‘repeat’ button on your stereo, once to make sure what you heard wasn’t a dream, and then twenty-five times more because it’s just so damn good.