Free – Cat Power

Tempting as it may be to dive into the darkness with war in Europe, three happy/triumphant songs this week from bands known more for probing the dark side.

‘It's okay if you can stand to let him dance/It's okay, it's your right, come on and take a chance.’

The weird/shy girl in the corner just closed the book she’d been engrossed in and urged you to join her on the dance floor. Chan Marshall (aka Cat Power) may be best known for hurtin’ songs cloaked in folk, blues and a dollop of punk, but on Free – from 2003’s astonishing You Are Free – she cracks a smile. And with that one song, millions are lured into a hauntingly beautiful world.