Formerly one half of arch-miserablists Arab Strap, Middleton is on a one-man campaign to make the Christmas number one a bit...well...different this year. And what can be more different than a gruff Scottish man snarling "You're going to die, you're going to die, you're going to die alone, all alone" as you tuck into your mince pies and turkey?

And weirdly enough, it works brilliantly. This isn't a wrist-slitting dirge as the title may suggest - just the opposite. It bounces along infectiously, delighting with a swirl of guitar, driving beat and nothing less than electronic arpeggios, pummelling the song's title into your brain until you've got your arm round your granny leading a family sing-song.

Middleton already has DJs at both Radio 1 and 6Music behind his campaign - although unlikely, it would be refreshingly wonderful if this was to be the festive number one instead of the usual Cowell/Walsh slush-fest.

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Mercury Prize 2009 nominees