If you tend to welcome the New Year with caution and trepidation, if you tend not to get bowled over and boisterous with enthusiasm at the prospect of Jan. 1, then El Perro del Mar's take on "Auld Lang Syne" is for you.

Sarah Assbring's subtle, stripped-down version of the New Year's anthem favoured by revellers, is rendered unrecognizable, with only the barest of instrumentation and the tiniest hint of joy for all of those who'd prefer to ring in 2009 with hesitation tinged (but only slightly) with happiness. [Pitchfork]