On Sunday evening the Lord Almighty Dave Grohl and his legion of angelic Foo Fighters deemed us worthy of receiving a surprise, free, 5 track EP called ‘St Cecilia.’ The titular Cecilia is the patron saint-ess of music, as well as the name of the hotel that the Foos were in a couple of months ago when they decided to record St Cecilia as a thank you to the world for the last two years of Foo Fighters success. As well as being a big thank you from the most huggable man in rock, it also has a serious tone, as Dave explains in a letter accompanying the EP: "To all who were affected by the atrocities in Paris, loved ones and friends, our hearts go out to you and your families. We will return and celebrate life and love with you once again someday with our music. As it should be done.”

The full letter can be read on the website for the EP, where you can also download the EP itself. No signing up for a mailing list. It’s not just restricted to iTunes. There are no catches. http://www.saintceciliaep.com/

The EP is the perfect format for these songs. Although some tracks could work as singles, not all of them could, and they’re not necessarily enough of a coherent whole to be an album. Overall, it’s standard Foo Fighters material – but that’s not an insult, there are few bands who can achieve that kind of standard. The songs have that same sense that resonates through all their music: you can tell that they really enjoyed making this, which makes it even more enjoyable to listen to.

The EP has everything you expect from a Foo Fighters release: ‘Sean’ is the fun one, like Learn to Fly. Savior Breath is the faster, heavier one. It sounds kind of like Motorhead, but embellished with the classic rock licks that Sonic Highways was full of. It’s got an aggressive energy, but isn’t angry. Then Iron Rooster is the slow, gentle one. It’s nice and chilled before the finale: The Neverending Sigh which, although its title makes it sound like a Morrissey track, is far from miserable. With the palm muted verses leading up to the unrestrained chorus, this is the Foo Fighters’ formula we know and love.

As with all Foo Fighters tracks, the Saint Cecilia EP will improve with age. Once you know the words and can roar along to them they become even more fun to listen to. For now you’ll have to just perfect your various air instruments.