Julian Casablancas: 'I Wish It Was Christmas Today'

Ah, the Christmas single! It sits snugly alongside mince pies, beautifully-wrapped gifts and the family punch-up over a game of Monopoly as an integral part of the festive experience. If you feel the same way we do, you'll be glad to know that Strokes star Julian Casablancas has joined the endless list of artists who've tried to capture some of that irresistible Yuletide spirit on record.

'I Wish It Was Christmas Today', as US readers will recall, was originally recorded by the SNL team of Fallon, Sanz, Kattan and Morgan. Casablancas hasn't really messed with the lo-fi post-punk vibe of their version, aside from layering on some classic Strokes guitars and his own dazed vocals of course. The result is noisy, energetic, daft and, like all the best festive tunes, performed without a trace of irony. You'll completely forget about it by the time you've polished off the last of the turkey in January, but until then it's right up there with the Ramones' 'Merry Christmas (I Don't Want To Fight Tonight)' as a fine modern rock Christmas treat.